980 Cockatiel - Jumper Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Deerfield

Pattern Summary: 980 Cockatiel – Women's Lace Jumper Knitting Pattern by Julie Turjoman

The 980 Cockatiel is a beautifully crafted women's jumper (sweater) knitting pattern designed by Julie Turjoman and published under the Valley Yarns brand. This pattern is a downloadable PDF suited to experienced knitters who are ready to take on a sophisticated all-over lace design worked in a luxurious yarn. The finished garment is a relaxed, cropped topper with generous positive ease, making it a versatile wardrobe staple that works equally well as a standalone elegant piece or as a refined layering option worn over a blouse in cooler weather.

Design Overview and Silhouette

The Cockatiel jumper features a modern, relaxed silhouette defined by its cropped length and 4–6 inches of positive ease. This generous ease ensures a comfortable, contemporary fit that flatters a wide range of body types. The all-over lace pattern is the centrepiece of the design, showcasing the drape and sheen of the chosen yarn to stunning effect. Whether dressed up for an evening out or layered casually over a blouse, this jumper offers versatility without sacrificing elegance.

The pattern is available in eight sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, and 4XL, with finished bust measurements ranging from 35½ inches up to 65½ inches. The sample shown in the pattern photography was knitted in Size XS. Finished lengths range from 22 inches to 25¾ inches depending on the size, keeping the cropped proportions consistent across the size range.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques that contribute to its refined construction and detailed aesthetic:

• Bottom-up construction: The jumper is worked from the lower edge upward, a traditional approach that gives knitters clear structural progression and familiar shaping logic.
• Worked flat: Pieces are knitted flat on circular needles, meaning the fabric is worked in rows rather than in the round for the main body sections, producing a seamed garment.
• Seamed finishing: The flat-worked pieces are joined using seams, a technique that adds structure and durability to the finished jumper. Seamed construction is often preferred for garments with significant positive ease, as it helps the fabric hold its shape.
• Lace knitting: The all-over lace pattern is the defining technical element of this design. Lace knitting involves a combination of yarn-overs and decreases worked in a deliberate sequence to create decorative openwork motifs. Working lace across an entire garment requires careful attention to stitch counts and pattern repeats, which is why this pattern is rated as Experienced skill level.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is an all-over lace stitch, which forms the decorative fabric of the jumper's body. Lace stitches typically incorporate yarn-overs to create deliberate holes or eyelets, paired with corresponding decreases (such as k2tog or ssk) to maintain the stitch count. The interplay of these increases and decreases creates the flowing, openwork texture that makes the Cockatiel so visually striking. Ribbing or other edging stitches are likely used at the hems and cuffs to provide a neat, stable border, consistent with standard jumper construction.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is specifically designed for Valley Yarns Deerfield, described as a luscious alpaca and silk blend. The precise fibre content is 80% Baby Alpaca and 20% Silk, which gives the yarn exceptional softness, a subtle natural sheen, and beautiful drape — all qualities that enhance the appearance of lace knitting. Deerfield is a DK weight yarn, sold in 50g balls with approximately 109 yards per ball.

Depending on the size being knitted, the pattern requires between 8 and 17 balls of Valley Yarns Deerfield:

• XS: 8 balls
• S: 10 balls
• M: 11 balls