Valley Yarns Tarragon Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Tarragon Pullover Sweater

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Tarragon is a generously sized pullover sweater designed as an ideal first sweater project for beginner knitters. This casual weekend sweater features a boxy silhouette with a crewneck and is available in sizes ranging from XS to 4XL, with finished bust measurements from 37 inches to 62½ inches. The garment is designed to fit with 4 to 6 inches of positive ease, offering a relaxed, comfortable fit suitable for everyday wear.

Techniques Used

The Tarragon sweater is constructed using several fundamental knitting techniques that make it accessible for newer knitters:

• Bottom-up construction: The sweater is worked from the bottom upward, allowing knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and make adjustments as needed.
• Worked flat: The body and sleeves are knitted flat on circular needles rather than in the round, simplifying the construction process for beginners.
• Seamed assembly: Finished pieces are seamed together, which is a fundamental skill-building technique for new knitters.
• Short-row shaping: The shoulders are shaped using short-row techniques (wrap and turn method), adding dimension and proper fit to the neckline area.
• Top-down sleeve cap: After the body is complete, sleeves are picked up from the armhole and worked downward in stockinette stitch.
• Ribbed neckband: The crewneck is worked in the round using a P5/K5 rib pattern, picked up from the neckline stitches.

Stitches Used

The Tarragon features a limited stitch palette, making it perfect for beginners:

• Box Stitch Pattern: The defining feature of this sweater is an allover Box Stitch texture that creates visual dimension and stitch definition across the entire body. This pattern repeats over a multiple of 10 stitches plus 2, with a 12-row repeat. The Box Stitch is constructed by alternating blocks of knit and purl stitches (K5/P5) across rows, then reversing the pattern on subsequent rows to create the characteristic box-like texture.
• Stockinette stitch: Used for the sleeves below the cap shaping and provides a smooth contrast to the textured body.
• Rib stitch: The P5/K5 ribbing is used for the crewneck band and the cuffs at the sleeve ends, providing elasticity and a finished appearance.
• Decreases: Standard decreases including K2tog (knit 2 together) and SSK (slip, slip, knit) are used for shaping.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Tarragon is designed to showcase Valley Yarns Peru, a luxurious alpaca blend yarn. The yarn composition is 84% Baby Alpaca, 8% Merino Wool, and 8% Nylon, making it warm yet virtually weightless—ideal for a pullover that provides comfort without bulk. Each skein contains 50 grams and 120 yards of yarn. The color shown in the sample is Lichen (Color 17). Yarn requirements range from 10 skeins for the smallest size (XS) to 19 skeins for the largest size (4XL).

Needles and Gauge

The pattern calls for US size 8 (5.50 mm) circular needles in both 16-inch and 29-40 inch lengths, allowing for flexibility in working different sections of the sweater. The recommended gauge is 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches when working the Box Stitch pattern in blocked form. Downsized needles are recommended for the ribbed neckband to provide crisper stitch definition in the finished ribbing.

Additional Materials

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires standard finishing supplies: stitch markers, locking stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn for holding stitches, and a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends.

Skill Level and Project Suitability

Designated as a beginner-level project, the Tarragon sweater is specifically designed to build foundational knitting skills. The Box Stitch pattern, while visually interesting, uses only basic knit and purl stitches, making it approachable for newer