Valley Yarns Curlew Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Curlew Camisole

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Curlew is a casual camisole designed by Julie Turjoman, featuring a square neckline and A-line silhouette. This lightweight layering piece is versatile enough to wear over a tee shirt during spring or as a standalone garment throughout the summer. The design includes floral eyelet stripes along the deep hem, adding both breathability and decorative texture to the finished garment. Available in sizes XS through 4XL with finished bust measurements ranging from 32 inches to 60½ inches.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to achieve its finished design:

• Worked in the round: The camisole is constructed using circular needles, allowing for seamless knitting in continuous rounds rather than flat pieces requiring seaming
• Seamed construction: Strategic seaming is incorporated into the overall garment assembly
• A-line shaping: Decreases are strategically placed to create the flattering A-line silhouette, with decreases worked at specific intervals (approximately every 14 stitches) to gradually reduce the stitch count and shape the garment
• Lace stitch integration: Floral eyelet stripes are incorporated into the deep hem, creating an open, breathable texture through yarn-over and decrease combinations
• Stockinette stitch base: The main body is worked in stockinette stitch for a smooth, classic finish

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with lace techniques:

• Knit (K): The primary stitch forming the stockinette base
• Purl (P): Used as needed in pattern sections
• Knit 2 together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used for A-line shaping and lace stitch definition
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk): A left-leaning decrease paired with k2tog for balanced decreases on either side of the garment
• Yarn overs: Essential for creating the floral eyelet stripes that provide the characteristic openwork texture
• Slip, slip, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over (sk2p): A double decrease used in lace pattern sections
• Slip marker (sl m): Markers are placed to indicate side seams and pattern repeats

Materials and Gauge

The Curlew is designed to showcase Valley Yarns Southwick, a 52% Pima Cotton/48% Bamboo blend yarn that provides excellent breathability and drape ideal for warm-weather garments. The yarn is worked at 50 grams per 105 yards, with yardage requirements ranging from 8 balls for size XS to 17 balls for size 4XL.

Needles required: US size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles in both 16-inch and 32-40 inch lengths for the main fabric, paired with US size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles of the same lengths for the lace stitch sections. The needle size difference allows for appropriate gauge in both stockinette and lace stitches.

Gauge specifications: 20 stitches and 30 rows equal 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needles when blocked; 22 stitches and 32 rows equal 4 inches in lace stitch on the smaller needles when blocked. Achieving proper gauge is essential for accurate finished measurements and proper fit.

Additional materials: Stitch markers, stitch holders, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and any necessary seaming. The pattern accommodates 1 to 2 inches of positive ease for comfortable wear.