1066 Tramontana - Sweater Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Becket

Pattern Summary: Tramontana Colorblock Pullover – Design #1066 by Susan Baron

The Tramontana is a women's colorblock pullover knitting pattern designed by Susan Baron, knitted in the luxuriously soft Valley Yarns Becket yarn. This pattern is rated Adventurous Beginner (also described as Advanced Beginner), making it an excellent next step for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to explore colorwork and garment shaping. The design is characterized by bold, beautiful color transitions that move elegantly from one hue to the next, creating a striking visual effect while remaining approachable for developing knitters.

What Is Being Made

The Tramontana is a women's pullover sweater featuring colorblock panels worked in three distinct colors. It is a relaxed, cozy garment designed with 2–4 inches of positive ease, meaning it is intended to fit comfortably and generously rather than close to the body. The finished bust measurements range from 36 inches (XS) up to 66 inches (5XL), covering a wide range of sizes across nine size options: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, and 5XL. The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in Size S.

Colorway and Materials

The pullover uses Valley Yarns Becket, a chunky/worsted weight yarn made from a blend of 50% Superfine Alpaca and 50% Wool, available in 100g skeins with approximately 141 yards each. The alpaca content gives the finished garment exceptional softness and warmth, while the wool provides structure and resilience. Three colors are used:

• Color A: Valley Yarns Becket in Color 19 – Aubergine – a deep, rich purple tone
• Color B: Valley Yarns Becket in Color 17 – Lilac – a softer, lighter purple
• Color C: Valley Yarns Becket in Color 01 – Natural – a classic neutral cream

The number of skeins required per color varies by size. Colors A and B each require 2–5 skeins depending on size, while Color C requires 2–4 skeins. Together, the palette moves from deep to light, creating a cohesive and stylish colorblock effect.

Needles and Notions

Two needle sizes are used throughout the pattern:

• US 9 (5.5mm) circular needle, 24–32 inches in length – used for the main body fabric
• US 8 (5mm) circular needles in both 16-inch and 24–32-inch lengths – used for ribbing or finishing sections

Additional materials required include stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, and a tapestry needle for seaming and finishing. The recommended gauge is 16 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needle size. As with all garment knitting, achieving correct gauge is essential to ensure the finished sweater matches the intended measurements.

Construction Techniques

The Tramontana is constructed using a bottom-up, seamed, worked-flat method. This means the front and back panels are each knitted separately from the cast-on edge upward, then joined together with seams at the shoulders and sides. This traditional approach to sweater construction is well-suited to beginners moving into garment knitting, as it allows each piece to be worked independently and checked for sizing before assembly.

• Bottom-up construction: The garment begins at the lower hem and is worked upward toward the shoulders, allowing the knitter to try on the pieces as they progress.
• Worked flat: The body panels are knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round, using both right-side (RS) and wrong-side (WS) rows.
• Seamed finishing: The completed flat pieces are sewn together using a tapestry needle, which gives the garment structure and a clean, polished finish.