Arcus Tunic in Valley Yarns Northampton - 835 - Downloadable PDF

Arcus Tunic in Valley Yarns Northampton – Pattern #835 by Julie Turjoman

The Arcus Tunic (Pattern #835) is a beautifully relaxed, casual pullover designed by Julie Turjoman and knitted in Valley Yarns Northampton, a 100% wool worsted weight yarn celebrated for its sturdiness and exceptional stitch definition. This downloadable PDF knitting pattern produces a versatile three-season layering piece featuring a deep split neckline and a distinctive lace-textured hem that adds visual interest without overwhelming complexity. The finished garment is a drop shoulder pullover — a silhouette beloved for its relaxed fit and ease of construction — making it an excellent project for knitters who are newer to garment making.

What Is Being Made

The Arcus Tunic is a drop shoulder pullover tunic designed for everyday wear and versatile layering across three seasons. It is worked in a range of sizes with a finished bust measurement of 34 (38, 42, 46, 50) (54, 58, 62) inches, offering an inclusive size range suitable for a wide variety of body types. The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in Size 38" in the colorway Nebula Heather. Its defining design details — the deep split neckline and lace hem — give it a polished, intentional look while keeping the construction approachable for beginner to intermediate knitters.

Construction and Techniques

The Arcus Tunic is constructed using a bottom-up method, meaning knitting begins at the lower hem and works upward toward the shoulders. The body is worked in the round on circular needles, which eliminates the need for seaming along the sides and creates a smooth, continuous fabric. This approach is particularly beginner-friendly, as it reduces finishing complexity and allows the knitter to see the fabric develop naturally as they work.

• Bottom-up construction: The tunic begins at the hem, allowing the lace border to be established early and the garment to grow upward in a logical, intuitive sequence.
• Worked in the round: Circular needles are used throughout the body, keeping the knitting seamless and the right side consistently facing the knitter for easier stitch pattern reading.
• Lace hem: An 8-round repeating lace border forms the lower edge of the tunic. This lace pattern uses yarnover increases paired with centered double decreases (s2kp2) and standard decreases to create a textured, open fabric with a gentle geometric rhythm. The repeat is described as easily memorized, making it accessible even for those newer to lace knitting.
• Short-row shaping: The pattern incorporates wrap-and-turn (W&T) short-row shaping technique, adding thoughtful shaping detail to the construction.
• Drop shoulder silhouette: Rather than complex armhole shaping, the drop shoulder design simplifies sleeve attachment and gives the tunic its characteristic relaxed drape.

Stitches Used

The Arcus Tunic draws on a focused set of stitches and techniques that balance simplicity with visual texture:

• Stockinette stitch: The primary body fabric is worked in classic stockinette, creating a smooth, even surface that showcases the stitch definition of Valley Yarns Northampton.
• Yarnover (yo): Used throughout the lace border to create deliberate open eyelets that form the decorative pattern.
• S2kp2 (centered double decrease): Slip 2 stitches knitwise, knit 1, pass the 2 slipped stitches over — a classic lace decrease that creates a neat, centered line and balances the yarnover increases symmetrically.
• K2tog (knit 2 together): A standard right-leaning decrease used for shaping.
• SSK (slip, slip, knit): A left-leaning decrease that mirrors K2tog for balanced shaping.
• SSP (slip, slip, purl): A left-leaning decrease worked on the purl side.
• M1L and M1R (make