#1311 Arcturus - Top Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Southwick by Valley Yarns

Pattern Overview: #1311 Arcturus – Women's Mosaic Tee Knitting Pattern by Valley Yarns

Arcturus is a women's pullover tee knitting pattern designed by Susan Baron and published by Valley Yarns in 2023. This pattern produces a striking yet comfortable short-sleeved or sleeveless top featuring a decorative mosaic bodice that creates a visually impressive colorwork effect while remaining accessible to knitters with relatively modest experience. The design is described as deceptively easy and quick to knit, making it an excellent choice for knitters who want a project that looks more complex than it actually is.

Design Details and Fit

The Arcturus tee is available in a generous size range, spanning XS through 5XL, with nine sizes in total: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, and 5XL. The sample garment shown in the pattern photography is knitted in size S. Finished bust measurements range from 34 inches up to 66 inches, and the pattern is designed to be worn with 4 to 6 inches of positive ease, meaning the finished garment is intentionally larger than the wearer's actual bust measurement for a relaxed, comfortable fit. This generous ease contributes to the top's versatility — it can be styled casually with jeans or dressed up with a skirt or dress pants for a more formal occasion.

Techniques Used

The Arcturus pattern incorporates a combination of construction and colorwork techniques that give knitters a well-rounded intermediate-level experience:

• Mosaic knitting (stranded colorwork): The bodice features a mosaic pattern, a form of slipped-stitch colorwork that creates the appearance of intricate two-color stranded knitting while only requiring the knitter to work with one color per row or round. This technique is ideal for knitters who are curious about colorwork but not yet ready for full stranded knitting with two live yarns simultaneously.
• Worked flat: Portions of the garment are knitted back and forth in flat rows, which is typical for seamed construction and certain shaping sections.
• Worked in the round: Circular knitting is also employed, allowing for seamless sections and efficient construction of the body or sleeves.
• Seamed construction: The finished pieces are seamed together, a traditional garment-construction method that adds structure and durability to the finished top.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern makes use of stitches and techniques well-suited to showcasing the yarn's properties:

• Mosaic stitch pattern: The decorative bodice relies on a mosaic colorwork arrangement, using slipped stitches to carry color across rows without stranding, creating a bold geometric or textural design.
• Stockinette or plain knit sections: The non-patterned areas of the top are worked in straightforward knit stitches, allowing the yarn's natural drape and stitch definition to shine.
• Ribbing or finishing stitches are likely used at the neckline and hem edges, as is standard for polished garment construction, though specific stitch details are contained within the full downloadable PDF.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is designed specifically for Valley Yarns Southwick, a worsted-weight yarn with a fiber composition of 52% Pima Cotton and 48% Bamboo, sold in 50-gram skeins with approximately 105 yards per skein. This cotton-bamboo blend is particularly well-suited to a summer or transitional-season top, as it offers excellent stitch definition — ideal for showcasing the mosaic bodice — along with a flattering drape that comes naturally from the bamboo content. Pima cotton contributes breathability and a smooth, soft hand.

The pattern calls for two colors of Valley Yarns Southwick:

• Main Color (MC): Color 23 – Purple — required in quantities ranging from 7 balls (XS) up to 18 balls (5XL).
• Contrast Color (CC): Color 20 – Soft Grape — required in quantities ranging from 2 balls (XS