Valley Yarns Fritillaria Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Fritillaria Knit Sweater Pattern

What Is Being Made

The Fritillaria is a stylish bottom-up cropped pullover sweater designed by Julie Turjoman. This intermediate-level knitting project features raglan elbow-length sleeves and a feminine lace border, making it versatile enough for both evening wear and office styling. The sweater is available in seven sizes ranging from XS to 3XL, with finished bust measurements from 32½ inches to 56½ inches, designed to fit with 0 to ½ inch of positive ease.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs three primary knitting techniques to create its sophisticated design:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The sweater is knitted from the hem upward, allowing knitters to try on the garment as they work and easily adjust the finished length to their preference.
• Worked in the Round: The body and sleeves are primarily constructed using circular needles in the round, which creates seamless fabric and reduces finishing work.
• Lace Stitch Work: An intricate lace border incorporates yarn overs and decreases to create an openwork pattern that adds visual interest and femininity to the design.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Fritillaria pattern incorporates several key stitches and techniques:

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch used for the body, worked in the round to create smooth, flat fabric. Gauge is established at 20 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in blocked Stockinette Stitch.
• Fritillaria Lace Stitch: A specialty lace pattern worked in rounds with a multiple of 10 stitches that temporarily expands to 13 stitches on certain rounds before returning to the original 10-stitch repeat. This stitch combines yarn overs (yo) with various decrease techniques to create an elegant openwork design.
• Decrease Techniques: The pattern uses multiple decrease methods including ssk (slip, slip, knit), sk2p (slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over), k2tog (knit 2 together), and a specialized dec 5-into-1 decrease that transforms five stitches into one.
• Increase Techniques: Yarn overs and kfb (knit into front and back of same stitch) are used to create the lace effects and shape the garment.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Fritillaria pattern calls for Valley Yarns Wachusett, a luxurious cashmere-blend yarn that provides excellent stitch definition and softness. The yarn composition is 70% Merino Wool and 30% Cashmere, offering both durability and comfort. Each skein weighs 50 grams and contains 163 yards of yardage. Depending on size, knitters will need between 5 and 10 skeins to complete the sweater, with smaller sizes (XS and S) requiring 5 skeins and larger sizes (3XL) requiring 10 skeins. The sample shown is knitted in color 200580 Red.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires US size 7 (4.50 mm) circular needles in multiple lengths to accommodate different sections of the sweater, including 24-40 inch needles for the body and 16 inch needles for smaller circumferences. A US size 6 (4.00 mm) circular needle in 24 inch length is used for the neckband, and a US size 6 (4.00 mm) needle in 32-40 inch length is used for the body hem, allowing for a slightly tighter gauge at the edges. Additional materials include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, stitch holders for managing stitches during construction, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming if necessary.