Valley Yarns Melange Pullover Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Melange Pullover

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Melange Pullover is a pullover sweater designed by Kirsten Hipsky, available in five finished sizes ranging from 34" to 50" in width. This garment features a distinctive color-work yoke, set-in sleeves, and a hood, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various seasons and occasions.

Construction and Techniques

This intermediate-level knitting project employs multiple construction techniques to create visual interest and structural integrity. The pullover begins with stranded colorwork, a technique where two colors are carried simultaneously to create intricate patterns. The garment is worked in the round for the initial sleeve and body sections, then transitions to working flat for the yoke and hood shaping, allowing for seamless integration of different pattern sections and efficient construction.

The design incorporates strategic shaping through increases and decreases. Sleeves are constructed with regular increases every 3rd to 7th round (depending on size) to achieve proper fit, while the yoke features paired decreases worked symmetrically on both sides of placed markers to create a fitted neckline. The hood section includes increases worked on either side of a center marker to expand the fabric appropriately.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – The primary stitch for the body and sleeves, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Melange Stitch – A stranded colorwork pattern worked over 24 rounds, creating texture and visual depth in the upper body and yoke areas
• Knit 2 Together (k2tog) – A right-leaning decrease used for yoke shaping
• Slip, Slip, Knit (ssk) – A left-leaning decrease paired with k2tog for balanced decreases
• Make 1 (m1) – An increase worked by knitting into the strand between stitches, used for hood expansion

Materials and Gauge

This project uses Valley Yarns Amherst, a 100% merino wool yarn that offers softness and breathability. The yardage requirements vary by size, with Color A requiring 2 to 4 skeins (approximately 218 to 436 yards depending on size selection). Each skein contains 109 yards and weighs 50 grams.

The pattern is worked to two different gauges depending on stitch pattern. Stockinette stitch is worked at a gauge of 18 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches, while the Melange Stitch colorwork is worked at a slightly looser gauge of 18 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches. This difference in row gauge reflects the typical density changes that occur when working stranded colorwork versus plain stockinette.

Construction Details

Sleeves are cast on with 36 to 44 stitches (depending on size) using double-pointed or short circular needles and joined to work in the round. After 24 rounds of Melange Stitch patterning, knitters transition to Color B only and work stockinette stitch with regular increases until the sleeve reaches 14.5 to 16.5 inches in length, resulting in finished sleeve stitch counts between 56 and 92 stitches.

The yoke construction involves joining all pieces—both sleeves, front, and back—in a single row, then working flat with coordinated decreases on both sides of each piece marker. This creates a fitted yoke that tapers from the armhole to the neckline over 19 to 37 rows depending on size. The hood is then worked with increases to expand the fabric, creating a comfortable head opening.