Valley Yarns Verdicchio Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Verdicchio Knit Turtleneck

What is Being Made

The Verdicchio is a cozy turtleneck sweater designed by Julie Turjoman, created as a modern essential for winter wardrobes. This pullover features a classic turtleneck construction with a graphic colorwork border detail and a solid-color ribbed body. The garment is available in eight sizes ranging from XS to 4XL, with finished bust measurements from 37 ¼ inches to 65 ¼ inches, offering a comfortable fit with 2 to 4 inches of positive ease.

Techniques Used

The Verdicchio is worked using several key knitting techniques that make it an intermediate-level project:

• Worked in the Round: This turtleneck is knit seamlessly from the bottom up using circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming and resulting in a faster construction process.
• Stranded Colorwork: The design features a graphic colorwork border created using the stranded technique, where multiple colors are carried across rounds to form the pattern.
• Bottom-Up Construction: The sweater is knit starting from the lower edge and working upward toward the neckline, allowing for easy adjustments to length if desired.

Stitches Used

The Verdicchio combines fundamental knitting stitches for both structure and visual interest:

• Stockinette Stitch: Used for the main body of the sweater, stockinette creates the smooth, classic fabric that serves as the base for the colorwork and ribbed sections.
• Ribbing (K1/P1): Applied at the cuff and throughout the body, ribbing provides stretch and a fitted appearance. The turtleneck begins with 6 rounds of K1/P1 rib before transitioning to stockinette with colorwork.
• 3-Needle Bind Off: Used to finish the garment with a secure, professional edge.

Materials and Yarn

The Verdicchio is designed to be knit in Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky, a single-ply yarn composed of 85% wool and 15% alpaca. This fiber blend provides warmth and a soft, cozy hand perfect for winter wear. The bulky weight allows the sweater to knit up quickly despite its size.

Yarn Requirements by Size:

• Main Color (MC) in Dark Gray Heather (Color 42): 6 to 12 skeins depending on size, with larger sizes requiring more yardage
• Contrast Color 1 (CC1) in Cream (Color 1): 1 to 2 skeins
• Contrast Color 2 (CC2) in Gold (Color 10): 1 to 2 skeins
• Contrast Color 3 (CC3) in Medium Gray Heather (Color 43): 1 skein for all sizes

Each skein of Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky contains 100 grams and approximately 108 yards of yarn.

Needles and Notions

The pattern calls for US size 10 (6.00 mm) circular needles in multiple lengths—16-inch, 24-inch, and 32 to 40-inch—to accommodate the different circumferences as the sweater is worked from the cuff upward. Double-pointed needles in the same size are also needed for working the turtleneck ribbing. An extra US size 10 needle is required for the 3-needle bind off finish. Additional notions include stitch markers (including locking stitch markers for clarity) and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge and Construction Details

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 12 stitches and 16 rounds over 4 inches in both stockinette stitch and rib stitch. The construction begins with a cast-on at the cuff, followed by 6 rounds of K1/P1 ribbing. After ribbing, the pattern increases 2 to 6 stitches evenly across the round depending on size, bringing the stitch count to between 108 and 192 stitches. The colorwork body chart is then worked over 31 rounds, creating the graphic border detail that distinguishes this design. The remainder of the body continues in stockinette or ribbing in the main color until the desired length is reached.