Squamish Sweater in Valley Yarns Superwash Bulky - 1056 - Downloadable PDF

Squamish Sweater – Pattern Summary for Valley Yarns Superwash Bulky (Pattern #1056)

The Squamish Sweater is an adult pullover designed by Julie Turjoman and knitted in Valley Yarns Valley Superwash Bulky. This pattern, published as a downloadable PDF, delivers a rugged yet lightweight garment that blends classic texture with satisfying, speedy construction. It is an ideal choice for knitters stepping into their first sweater project, earning its Adventurous Beginner skill level designation thanks to its straightforward pieced construction and the confidence-building rhythm of working on large needles.

What Is Being Made

The finished object is a classic adult pullover sweater with a relaxed, cozy silhouette. It is sized to fit a wide range of bodies, offered in sizes XS through 4XL, with finished chest measurements ranging from 37½ inches to 69½ inches. The design is intended to be worn with 2 to 4 inches of positive ease, giving it a comfortable, laid-back fit that works well as an everyday layering piece or a standalone cold-weather garment. The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in Size M using color 14 Burgundy.

Construction and Techniques

The Squamish Sweater is built using traditional pieced, seamed construction. Each section — the back, front, and sleeves — is worked flat, back and forth in rows, and the finished pieces are then joined together with seams. This approach is particularly well-suited to beginners because it breaks the sweater into manageable, bite-sized sections rather than requiring the knitter to manage a large garment in the round. Seaming the pieces together at the end also provides a structured, tidy finish and adds body to the garment.

The pattern incorporates a single hem finishing technique, giving the edges a clean, polished look. Cables are also featured as a key design element, adding visual texture and that signature gansey-inspired character the pattern references. A cable needle is required to execute these cable crossings. The combination of seamed flat knitting with decorative cables makes this an excellent project for a beginner who wants to build foundational skills while producing a genuinely impressive finished garment.

Stitches Used

The Squamish Sweater draws on a thoughtful combination of stitch patterns that create rich surface texture without overwhelming complexity:

• Stockinette stitch – the primary background fabric of the sweater, creating a smooth, classic knit surface on the right side
• Gansey stitches – traditional textured stitch patterns inspired by the heritage of fisherman sweaters, adding visual interest and depth to the fabric
• Cables – worked over a defined stitch panel, the cables cross stitches over one another using a cable needle to create the characteristic twisted rope or braid effect
• Double Moss Stitch – a four-row repeating pattern alternating knit and purl stitches in a shifting grid, creating a bumpy, woven-looking texture; worked over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2
• Rib-like textured panels – combinations of knit and purl stitches arranged in structured repeats that complement the cable sections

Standard shaping techniques are also employed throughout, including k2tog (knit two together), ssk (slip, slip, knit), and p2tog (purl two together) for decreases, as well as increases where needed for sleeve and body shaping. A wrap and turn (W&T) technique is referenced in the abbreviations, indicating short-row shaping may be used at certain points in the construction.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is written specifically for Valley Yarns Valley Superwash Bulky, a 100% Extra Fine Superwash Merino Wool yarn. Each skein contains 100 grams and approximately 109 yards of yarn. The superwash treatment means the finished sweater can be machine washed, making it a practical as well as beautiful choice. The Extra Fine Merino fiber content ensures a soft, non-scratchy fabric with excellent stitch definition — particularly important for showing off the cable and gansey stitch details to their best advantage. Yard