Valine is an essential amino acid needed in the diet in order for the body to build proteins. The Valine Pullover is designed to serve as essential to the wardrobe with its clean lines, set-in ¾ sleeves, and a not-too-deep V-neck. There are two lace-inset options included in the pattern (your choice of a leaf motif or a mesh lace diamond motif).

Worked from the shoulders-down, the set-in sleeves are created simultaneously with the upper bodice in a technique originally described by Barbara Walker (no seaming!). Make it in a basic sock yarn for an everyday, go-to sweater, or jazz it up with a special luxury-fiber yarn. Either way, you’re sure to look wonderful with a custom fit.

Shaping to the waist and hips is accomplished along princess “seams” to allow for maximum customization. The pattern includes a section on customizing the fit to your own preferences as well as a how-to (in a separate pdf) for adding horizontal bust darts for additional tailoring.

The technique is a fiddly at first, but a photo tutorial is also included to allow you to be confident and check your progress. Short rows are required to shape the shoulders, and you must pick up stitches for the top of each sleeve cap. Otherwise, only the ability to purl, knit, perform increases & decreases, and simple chart-reading are necessary to complete the design.

Sizes: 29(32, 35, 38, 41, 44, 47, 50)” bust require approximately
3(3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5) skeins Dye For Wool fingering merino-silk (437 yds/100 g),
2(3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5) skeins of Madelinetosh Eyre Light (465 yds/114 g), or approximately
900(1000, 1200, 1325, 1425, 1500, 1600, 1900) yards of fingering weight yarn.