1273 Chionodoxa - Jumper Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Haydenville

1273 Chionodoxa – Women's Intarsia Colorblock Jumper Knitting Pattern by Susan Baron

The 1273 Chionodoxa, designed by Susan Baron and published by Valley Yarns, is a women's pullover tunic knitting pattern that blends everyday comfort with a striking colorblock aesthetic. Named after the delicate early-spring flower, this design is an ideal project for knitters who are ready to move beyond the basics and explore color work in a structured, approachable way. The finished tunic falls at the high thigh and is designed to be worn with generous positive ease of 5 to 7 inches, making it a relaxed, cozy layering piece perfect for pairing with jeans or casual wear.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a colorblock tunic-length pullover jumper for women, available in eight sizes ranging from XS through 4XL. Finished bust measurements span from 35¼ inches up to 64 inches, and the length ranges from 24 to 28½ inches depending on size, placing the hem at the high thigh on most wearers. The sample shown in the pattern photography is knitted in size S. The design features a center front panel in a contrasting color, set against a main color body, creating a clean vertical colorblock effect that is both modern and wearable.

Design Details and Construction

The Chionodoxa tunic is constructed using a seamed, bottom-up method, meaning the front and back body pieces are knitted separately as flat panels and then joined together. This traditional approach to garment construction gives knitters excellent control over shaping and makes it easy to try the pieces on as you go. Key structural and design details include:

• Drop shoulders with short-row shaping to enhance fit and comfort without the complexity of traditional set-in sleeves
• Sleeves worked in the round – stitches are picked up around the armhole opening after seaming and the sleeves are knitted downward toward the cuff, combining flat and circular construction techniques in a single project
• A contrasting color neckband worked in garter stitch on the outside and stockinette on the inside, then folded and sewn into place for a neat, professional finish
• Contrasting color cuffs on the sleeves to echo the front panel and neckband, tying the colorblock design together cohesively

Techniques Used

The Chionodoxa pattern is labeled as Adventurous Beginner (equivalent to an advanced beginner level), making it an excellent stepping stone for knitters who have mastered basic garment construction and are ready to try color work for the first time. The primary techniques used include:

• Intarsia – The defining technique of this pattern. The front body is worked with the main color on the left and right sections and the contrasting color in the center panel, all within the same row. Rather than carrying yarn across the back of the work as in stranded colorwork, intarsia uses separate yarn supplies for each color section. When changing colors, the strands are twisted around each other at the join to prevent holes or gaps. This pattern offers a gentle, practical introduction to intarsia because the color sections are simple vertical blocks rather than complex motifs.
• Working flat (worked flat) – The body pieces are knitted back and forth in rows on circular needles, a common technique that allows the use of long needle cables for comfort while still producing flat, seamed panels.
• Working in the round – Used for the sleeves, which are picked up at the armhole and knitted circularly downward, as well as for any tubular ribbing or neckband finishing.
• Bottom-up construction – The garment begins at the lower hem and works upward toward the shoulders, a logical and intuitive construction method for beginners learning garment shaping.
• Seaming – Front and back pieces are joined using a tapestry needle after knitting, requiring basic finishing skills such as mattress stitch or similar seaming methods.
• Short-row shoulder shaping – Short rows are used to shape the drop shoulders, adding subtle contouring without requiring complex bind-off sequences.
• Picking up stitches – Sleeve stitches are picked up around the armhole edge, a foundational technique for top-down sleeve construction.