Willow & Lark Soleil Levant V Neck Knitting Pattern

Soleil Levant V Neck Jumper by Willow & Lark

What Is Being Made

The Soleil Levant V Neck is an advanced-level knitted jumper designed as part of the Impressionists Collection by Willow & Lark. This garment is a V-neck sweater available in five sizes to fit bust measurements ranging from 81–86 cm (32–34 in) through to 122–127 cm (48–50 in), with finished bust measurements from 98 cm (38½ in) to 138 cm (54¼ in). The finished length ranges from 65–69 cm (25½–27¼ in) and sleeve length is approximately 50–52 cm (19½–20½ in).

Techniques and Construction Method

This jumper is constructed using a bottom-up approach, meaning the body and sleeves are knitted from the lower edges upward. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, and pieces are subsequently seamed together to create the finished sweater. The pattern incorporates cable techniques as a primary design feature, adding textural interest and visual depth to the finished piece. This combination of methods—flat construction with seaming and integrated cable work—places the design at an advanced skill level, requiring competence in reading complex stitch patterns, maintaining tension consistency across multiple pieces, and executing neat seaming.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern employs cable stitches as the central decorative element. Tension is measured over pattern at 12 stitches and 24½ rows to 10 cm (4 in) when yarn is worked double and using 6.00 mm (US 10) needles. The abbreviations used throughout include standard knitting notation: K (knit), P (purl), inc (increase), dec (decrease), alt (alternate), cont (continue), foll (following), beg (beginning), and cm (centimetres). Knitters must work to the specified tension to ensure the garment fits correctly and yarn quantities remain accurate.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Soleil Levant V Neck pattern calls for two distinct yarn types from Willow & Lark, both in DK weight:

• Willow & Lark Poetry (60% Merino Wool, 30% Microfibre, 10% Camel, DK weight, 50g per ball): Two colorways are used—Fondant Pink 613 (A) requiring 4–5 balls depending on size, and Clotted Cream 600 (B) requiring 10–11 balls depending on size.
• Willow & Lark Ramble (100% Wool, DK weight, 50g per ball): Two colorways are used—Fossil 131 (C) requiring 4–5 balls depending on size, and Straw 114 (D) requiring 4–5 balls depending on size.

The pattern specifies that yarn is worked double (two strands held together), which affects both the final fabric weight and the needle size required. Knitting needles needed are one pair of 6.00 mm (UK 4, US 10) straight needles for flat construction, plus a 6.00 mm circular needle or set of four 6.00 mm double-pointed needles for working the neckline in the round. The pattern emphasizes that checking tension with a swatch at least 12 cm (5 in) square is vital before beginning, as incorrect tension will affect fit and yarn requirements. The pattern recommends using thicker needles if tension shows more stitches and rows than specified, or thinner needles if fewer stitches and rows appear in the swatch.

Pattern Notes

Willow & Lark advises that only the recommended yarn should be substituted to ensure the garment fits and performs as designed. The downloadable PDF format allows knitters to access detailed schematic diagrams, row-by-row instructions, and complete sizing information for all five sizes in a single document.