Valier in Tahki Yarns Donegal Tweed Fine - Downloadable PDF

Valier Sweater in Tahki Yarns Donegal Tweed Fine – Pattern Summary

The Valier is a beautifully understated pullover sweater designed by Rosemary Drysdale and knitted in Tahki Yarns Donegal Tweed Fine. Rated as an easy project, this design is well-suited to beginner knitters who are ready to explore simple cable work within an otherwise straightforward construction. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is published by Tahki Stacy Charles Inc.

What Is Being Made

Valier is a classic pullover sweater worked in six sizes ranging from Small through 3X, with finished bust measurements spanning 36 to 56 inches (91.5 to 142 cm) and lengths ranging from 22½ to 25 inches (57 to 63.5 cm). The design features a distinctive Cable Band as a focal element, giving the sweater a polished, textural detail that contrasts beautifully with the smooth Stockinette Stitch body. The overall silhouette is clean and wearable, making it a versatile addition to any handknit wardrobe.

Construction and Techniques

The Valier sweater is worked flat in separate pieces, which are then seamed together — a traditional construction method ideal for beginners building foundational skills. The pattern incorporates a top-down approach for certain elements, and the Cable Band is picked up and integrated into the body, adding a satisfying structural detail to the finishing process.

• Worked flat: Pieces are knitted back and forth in rows, making this accessible for those not yet comfortable with circular knitting.
• Cable technique: The pattern features a C8F cable — an 8-stitch front cable worked by slipping 4 stitches to a cable needle and holding them to the front, knitting the next 4 stitches, then knitting the held stitches. This creates a classic rope-like twisted column of stitches.
• Pick-up and knit: Stitches are picked up along the long edge of the Cable Band to seamlessly connect it to the Back, a technique that creates a neat, professional join without visible seaming at that junction.
• Blocking: The pattern instructs knitters to block the finished pieces to measurements, an important finishing step that evens out stitches and helps the natural fibers bloom and settle into their final shape.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch pattern used throughout the body of the sweater. Worked by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, Stockinette creates a smooth, classic fabric with a slight natural curl at the edges.
• C8F Cable: An 8-stitch cable crossing worked to the front, creating a bold, raised cable motif on the Cable Band. This is the defining decorative stitch of the Valier design.

Gauge

The pattern calls for a gauge of 23 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the sweater to match the stated finished measurements, and the pattern emphasizes taking time to check gauge before beginning.

Materials and Yarn

The Valier is knitted in Tahki Yarns Donegal Tweed Fine, a luxurious 4-ply (fingering weight) yarn composed of 70% wool and 30% mohair. Each skein contains approximately 218 yards (200 meters) and weighs 1.75 oz (50g). The sample shown in the pattern is worked in color #2704 light grey, a soft, neutral tone that showcases the subtle tweed texture and the cable detail beautifully.

• Yarn quantity required: 6 (6, 7, 7, 8, 9) skeins depending on size
• Fiber content: 70% wool, 30% mohair — a blend that offers warmth, a gentle halo, and the characteristic flecked texture of Donegal tweed