#1317 Delphinus - Jumper Knitting Pattern for Kids in Valley Yarns Superwash DK by Valley Yarns

Pattern Summary: #1317 Delphinus – Kids' Jumper Knitting Pattern by Valley Yarns

#1317 Delphinus is a charming children's jumper knitting pattern designed by Julie Turjoman and published by Valley Yarns. This versatile piece is equally at home as a cozy winter layering garment or a standalone top in milder weather, making it a practical and playful addition to any child's wardrobe. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated Intermediate in difficulty, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with colorwork and working in the round.

What Is Being Made

The Delphinus is a children's pullover jumper featuring a flared A-line silhouette, a stranded colorwork border near the hem, a striped yoke, and optional patch pockets. It is designed to fit children in sizes ranging from 6–12 months through 8–10 years, with finished chest measurements spanning 19 to 29¾ inches and a recommended fit of 1 to 3 inches of positive ease. The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in size 4–6 years. The hem circumference ranges from 21¾ to 32¾ inches, reflecting the A-line shaping that gives the garment its graceful, slightly flared body.

The optional patch pockets are a delightful functional detail, perfect for little ones who love to tuck away small treasures. The two-color design is cohesive and playful, with the contrast color appearing both in the stranded floral border near the hem and again in the striped yoke, creating a visually unified garment.

Construction Techniques

The Delphinus jumper is constructed entirely bottom-up and worked in the round, a method that minimizes seaming and allows knitters to see the fabric develop right-side up as they go. The body begins at the ribbed hem and is worked upward in stockinette stitch with A-line decrease shaping at the sides, gradually tapering the silhouette from hem to underarm.

• Bottom-up construction: The garment begins at the hem and is worked upward, with shaping built in as the knitting progresses.
• Worked in the round: Both the body and yoke are knitted in the round, eliminating the need for flat seaming on the main body panels.
• Stranded colorwork: A decorative floral border is worked near the hem using the stranded technique, where two colors of yarn are carried across the round simultaneously to create the pattern. This is one of the more technically demanding elements of the pattern and is the primary reason for the Intermediate skill rating.
• Stripes: The yoke features a narrow jogless stripe pattern, alternating the main color and contrast color. The jogless technique is used to avoid the visible jog that typically appears when working stripes in the round.
• Yoke shaping: The yoke is shaped using straightforward decreases, making the shaping accessible even for knitters newer to yoke construction.
• Armhole division: After the body is complete, stitches are divided for the armholes and the yoke is then worked in the round to the neckband.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch pattern used throughout the body of the jumper, creating a smooth, classic fabric.
• Ribbing: Used at the hem and sleeve edging to create a neat, stretchy border that holds its shape.
• Stranded colorwork: Used in the floral border near the hem, requiring knitters to manage two yarns simultaneously and maintain even tension across the floats.
• Jogless stripes: A technique applied in the yoke to create clean, seamless-looking color transitions when knitting stripes in the round.
• Decreases: Used for A-line side shaping in the body and for yoke shaping, keeping the construction straightforward and manageable.

Materials: Yarn

The pattern is specifically designed for Valley Yarns Valley Superwash DK, a 100% Extra Fine Mer