Valley Yarns Campion Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Campion Fair Isle Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Campion is a stylish Fair Isle cardigan designed by Julie Turjoman, inspired by Scotland's native flora. This intermediate-level knitting project features a richly colored palette of Fair Isle motifs combined with a cozy, deep rolled collar that buttons all the way up for versatile styling. The cardigan is available in nine sizes ranging from XS to 4XL, with finished bust measurements from 35¾" to 63¾" and designed to fit with 2 to 4 inches of positive ease.

Construction Techniques

The Campion employs several advanced knitting techniques that make it an engaging intermediate project:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is worked from the bottom up in the round to the neckline, creating a seamless body
• Steek method: The front is steeked all the way up, a traditional Fair Isle technique that involves cutting the knitted fabric to create the cardigan opening
• Worked in the round: The majority of the garment is knitted circularly, which creates even fabric and reduces seaming
• Buttonholes: Nine buttonholes are integrated throughout the front opening to accommodate ¾" to 1" diameter buttons
• Short-row shaping: The pattern includes short-row techniques, indicated by unique colored stitch markers for tracking

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Campion combines fundamental knitting stitches with colorwork patterning:

• Stockinette stitch: Forms the base fabric, worked at a gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rounds over 4 inches on larger needles
• Fair Isle patterning: Multi-color motifs are worked throughout, with a gauge of 18 stitches and 20 rounds over 4 inches on larger needles, reflecting the tighter gauge typical of stranded colorwork
• Rolled collar: The deep collar is created using the stitch definition of the yarn to produce a naturally rolling edge
• Sleeve and hem charts: Patterned sections are worked using charted Fair Isle designs, with steek stitches incorporated as indicated in the pattern instructions

Materials and Yarn

The Campion is designed to showcase Valley Yarns Northampton, a 100% wool yarn offered in a fabulous array of colors. This yarn features excellent stitch definition, making it ideal for Fair Isle colorwork. The pattern calls for six coordinating colors:

• Main Color (MC): Valley Yarns Northampton #50, Med. Grey – 2 to 7 skeins depending on size (100 g/247 yards per skein)
• Contrast Color 1 (CC1): Valley Yarns Northampton #51, Charcoal – 2 skeins
• Contrast Color 2 (CC2): Valley Yarns Northampton #40, Ocean Heather – 1 skein
• Contrast Color 3 (CC3): Valley Yarns Northampton #42, Lake Heather – 1 skein
• Contrast Color 4 (CC4): Valley Yarns Northampton #21, Dahlia – 1 skein
• Contrast Color 5 (CC5): Valley Yarns Northampton #02, Natural – 1 skein

Needles and Tools

The Campion requires a range of needle sizes to accommodate different sections of the garment:

• US size 8 (5.00 mm) circular needles: 16", 24", and 40" lengths for the main body and Fair Isle sections
• US size 8 (5.00 mm) double-pointed needles: For sleeve cap shaping and smaller circumference sections
• US size 7 (4.50 mm) circular needles: 16", 24", and 40" lengths for ribbing and edgings, creating a tighter gauge for structure
• US size 7 (4.50 mm) double-pointed needles: For