Valley Yarns Grenache Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Grenache Knit Tunic

What is Being Made

The Grenache is an intermediate-level knit tunic designed by Julie Turjoman, featuring a generous, layering-friendly silhouette with full sleeves and extended length. This garment is worked in seven sizes ranging from XS to 3XL, with finished bust measurements from 37 inches to 63½ inches. The tunic is designed to fit with 5 to 6 inches of positive ease, making it an ideal piece for comfortable, relaxed wear over other garments during cold weather.

Techniques Used

The Grenache employs several advanced knitting techniques to create visual interest and texture:

• Provisional Cast-On: The garment begins with a provisional cast-on that strategically separates the bodice and sleeves from the main body, allowing for seamless integration of these components.
• Slip-Stitch Colorwork: A companion Argyle texture is created at the yoke using slip-stitch colorwork, a technique that adds depth and pattern without the complexity of traditional stranded colorwork.
• Oversized Lace: The hem features generous lace patterning that provides an elegant, openwork contrast to the structured upper portions of the tunic.
• Seaming: Pieces are worked flat and then seamed together, allowing for precise shaping and professional finishing.
• Stripes: The design incorporates striped elements through the use of three distinct yarn colors in the colorwork sections.

Stitches Used

The Grenache pattern relies on fundamental knitting stitches combined to create more complex stitch patterns:

• Stockinette Stitch: Forms the primary fabric base, providing a smooth, classic canvas for the decorative elements. Gauge in stockinette is 18 stitches and 24 rows per 4 inches when blocked with US 8 (5mm) needles.
• Argyle Pattern: A textured stitch pattern that combines knit and purl stitches to create the diamond-based Argyle design. This pattern has a gauge of 18 stitches and 40 rows per 4 inches when blocked, which differs significantly from stockinette gauge and requires careful swatching.
• Lace Stitches: Used at the hem to create the oversized openwork effect, incorporating yarn-overs and decreases for the characteristic lace appearance.
• Slip-Stitch Colorwork: Stitches are slipped rather than knitted to carry unused colors, creating the Argyle texture at the yoke with minimal bulk.
• Three-Needle Bind-Off: Used to join pieces together with a seamless, sturdy edge.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Grenache pattern calls for Valley Yarns Amherst, a 100% Merino Wool yarn that provides warmth, softness, and rich color saturation ideal for cold-weather wear. Yarn requirements vary by size:

• Main Color (MC) in Burgundy: 7 to 11 balls depending on size, with smaller sizes requiring 7 balls and the largest size (3XL) requiring 11 balls. Each ball contains 50 grams and 109 yards.
• Contrasting Color 1 (CC1) in Black: 2 to 3 balls, providing the primary contrast for the Argyle colorwork at the yoke.
• Contrasting Color 2 (CC2) in Natural: 2 to 3 balls, adding a third color element to the Argyle pattern for visual complexity.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern requires US 8 (5mm) circular needles in multiple lengths to accommodate different sections of the garment:

• 16-inch to 24-inch circular needles for smaller sections and sleeves
• 32-inch to 40-inch circular needles for the body
• An extra US 8 (5mm) needle for the Three-Needle Bind-Off technique
• US 6 (4mm) circular needle in 29-inch to 40-inch length for ribbing or edging

Achieving proper gauge is critical for this pattern. Knitters should swatch in both the Argyle pattern and stockinette stitch before