Valley Yarns Spandrel Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Spandrel Knitted Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Spandrel is a refined scoop-neck pullover sweater designed by Julie Turjoman. This intermediate-level knitting project features a body-skimming silhouette with waist shaping, three-quarter length sleeves, and decorative lace borders at both the body hem and sleeve cuffs. The sweater is available in nine sizes ranging from XS to 4XL, with finished bust measurements from 32¾ inches to 59¾ inches. The design is shown in Size S and is described as clean-lined yet dressy enough for office wear or special occasions.

Construction Techniques

The Spandrel is constructed using several advanced knitting techniques that contribute to its refined appearance and comfortable fit:

• Top-Down Construction: The sweater is worked from the top down, beginning at the neckline and progressing downward to the hem. This approach allows for easy fitting adjustments and the ability to try on the garment as you knit.
• Seamless, In-the-Round Knitting: The entire sweater is worked in the round using circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming. This creates a smooth, continuous fabric and reduces finishing work.
• Raglan Shaping: The pattern uses raglan increases to shape the armholes and sleeve cap, creating a flattering shoulder line. Yarn overs are strategically placed at raglan markers to create decorative increases.
• Waist Shaping: Strategic decreases and increases are worked into the body to create a fitted waist that skims the body while maintaining comfort and ease.
• Lace Borders: Deep lace borders are incorporated at both the body hem and sleeve hems, adding visual interest and an elegant finishing detail. These borders are created using yarn overs and decreases to form openwork patterns.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Spandrel primarily uses fundamental knitting stitches combined to create texture and shaping:

• Stockinette Stitch: The main fabric is worked in stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rounds, purl on wrong-side rounds when working flat, or simply knit continuously when working in the round). This creates a smooth, classic fabric that serves as the base for the sweater's clean lines.
• Yarn Overs (YO): Yarn overs are used extensively for both decorative purposes in the lace borders and as part of the raglan shaping increases. These create small eyelet holes that contribute to the lace pattern.
• Knit Two Together (K2tog): This right-leaning decrease is used to shape the garment and create the lace patterns at the hems.
• Make One Left (M1L): This increase technique is used for shaping the waist and other areas where increases are needed without creating visible holes.
• Ribbing: A knit one, purl one rib (K1/P1 Rib) is referenced in the pattern abbreviations and is typically used at the neckline to provide elasticity and a finished edge.

Materials and Tools

The Spandrel is designed to be worked in Valley Yarns Valley Superwash Sport, a yarn specifically chosen for its practical and aesthetic qualities. The yarn is 100% Extra Fine Merino Wool, offering softness and durability. Each ball contains 50 grams and approximately 153 yards of yarn. The color shown in the sample is Plum, a sophisticated neutral tone suitable for versatile styling. Yarn requirements range from 7 balls for the smallest size (XS) to 11 balls for the largest sizes (3XL and 4XL).

The pattern requires two sizes of circular needles and double-pointed needles (DPNs). The larger needles are US 5 (3.75mm) in both 16-inch and 32-40 inch lengths, used for the main fabric. The smaller needles are US 3 (3.25mm) in the same lengths, typically used for ribbed edges. The gauge is 24 stitches and 32 rounds per 4 inches when measured in stockinette stitch on the larger needle after blocking. Additional materials include stitch markers for tracking pattern sections, stitch holders for temporarily holding stitches, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and any finishing seams.

Yarn Characteristics and Care

The choice of Valley Yarns Valley Superwash Sport makes this sweater particularly practical for everyday wear. The Extra Fine