Valley Yarns Cirrus Pullover Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Cirrus Pullover

What Is Being Made

The Cirrus Top is a lightweight, A-line pullover sweater designed by Julie Turjoman for Valley Yarns. This nearly weightless garment features a delicate construction ideal for layering over a camisole. The sweater showcases an elegant A-line silhouette with finished bust measurements ranging from 34 inches to 60½ inches across eight size options, accommodating a wide range of body types. The design emphasizes airy drape and soft comfort against the skin, making it suitable for warm weather wear or as a versatile layering piece.

Construction Technique

The Cirrus Top is constructed using a bottom-up seamed method, combining both circular and flat knitting techniques. The sweater is worked in the round from the bottom edge up to the underarm, creating a seamless lower body section. Once the underarm is reached, the front and back pieces are worked separately flat (back and forth) to shape the neckline and shoulders. The sleeves are subsequently picked up from the armhole edges and worked downward. This hybrid construction method allows for efficient shaping while maintaining the smooth stockinette fabric throughout the garment.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used in the Cirrus Top is Stockinette stitch, which creates the signature smooth, soft fabric with a refined appearance. Stockinette stitch is achieved by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows when working flat, or by knitting every round when working in the round. This classic stitch pattern showcases the delicate qualities of the yarn and provides excellent drape. Shaping is accomplished through standard decreases including K2tog (knit two together) and SSK (slip, slip, knit) techniques, which are used strategically at the armholes and neckline to create the fitted silhouette.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Cirrus Top is designed to be worked in Valley Yarns Southampton, a luxurious blend of 72% Kid Mohair and 28% Mulberry Silk. This fiber combination creates the characteristic lightweight, airy quality of the finished garment. The yarn is available in the colorway Cloudy Sky (Color 19). Each skein contains 230 yards and weighs 25 grams. Depending on the size being knitted, the pattern requires between 4 and 8 skeins of yarn, with smaller sizes (34–40½ inches) requiring 4–5 skeins and larger sizes (46¾–60½ inches) requiring 6–8 skeins.

Needles and Tools

The Cirrus Top is worked on US size 9 (5.5 mm) circular needles in both 16-inch and 24-inch lengths to accommodate the different sections of the garment. The 16-inch circular needle is used for smaller circumferences, while the 24-inch needle handles the larger body sections. US size 9 (5.5 mm) double-pointed needles (dpn) are also required for working the sleeves in the round after they are picked up. The pattern specifies that needles should be chosen to achieve the correct gauge. Additional tools include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, stitch holders or waste yarn for temporarily securing stitches during construction, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming if necessary.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 16 stitches and 20 rounds equals 4 inches in Stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements specified in the pattern. The Cirrus Top is available in eight sizes with finished bust measurements of 34, 37¼, 40½, 46¾, 50, 53¼, 56½, and 60½ inches. The sample garment shown in the pattern is knitted in the 37¼-inch size. This range of sizes ensures that knitters of various skill levels and body measurements can find an appropriate fit.

Difficulty Level

The Cirrus Top is rated as a beginner-friendly knitting project. While the garment involves multiple construction techniques—including working in the round, working flat, and picking up stitches—the use of straightforward Stockinette stitch and basic decreases makes it accessible to newer knitters. The pattern provides clear abbreviations and instructions, and the combination of techniques offers an excellent learning opportunity for knitters progressing beyond simple scarves and blankets.