Blue Sky Fibers Islington Jumper Knitting Pattern

Blue Sky Fibers Islington Jumper: Classic Yoked Sweater Pattern

What Is Being Made

The Islington Jumper is a classic women's yoked sweater designed by Mary Pranica. This intermediate-level knitting project features a textured colorwork design with purl and knit stitches creating thistle motifs that complement the nubby texture of the yarn. The sweater is available in seven sizes ranging from Women's XS (to fit bust 28-30") through 5XL (to fit bust 60-62"), with finished circumferences from 34¼" to 65" and sleeve lengths of 18" to 26".

Construction Techniques

The Islington Jumper employs a bottom-up seamless construction worked entirely in the round. The sweater begins with the body knit as a single piece, followed by both sleeves worked separately. The three pieces are then joined together, and the sweater continues as one piece through the yoke and neckband. This modern seamless approach eliminates the need for seaming and creates a smooth, continuous garment.

The design incorporates stranded colorwork techniques in the yoke section, where multiple colors are carried across rows to create the thistle pattern. The combination of knit and purl stitches adds textural interest to the colorwork, making the design visually dynamic while the neps naturally present in the yarn enhance the overall aesthetic.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout the Islington Jumper is stockinette stitch, which serves as the foundation for the sweater body and sleeves. The gauge for this pattern is 15 stitches and 21 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch when blocked. The yoke features stranded colorwork incorporating both knit and purl stitches to create textured thistle motifs. The neckband is worked in ribbing to provide elasticity and a finished edge.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Islington Jumper is designed for use with Woolstok Tweed in Aran weight, a yarn composition of 85% Highland Wool and 15% Donegal. The yarn is supplied in 100-gram hanks with approximately 109 yards per hank. Yardage requirements vary by size: the smallest size requires 5 hanks of Color A (Deep Earth), 2 hanks of Color B (Rolled Oats), 1 hank of Color C (Olive Branch), and 1 hank of Color D (Sage Rose), with larger sizes requiring proportionally more yarn.

Knitting needles required include Size 9 (5.5mm) circular needles in 16" and 32" lengths for the body and yoke, as well as Size 9 (5.5mm) double-pointed needles or preferred small circumference needles for sleeve work. Additionally, Size 10 (6mm) circular needles in 16" and 32" lengths and Size 10 (6mm) double-pointed needles are required, sized to obtain proper gauge as needed. Other essential tools include stitch holders or waste yarn, contrasting stitch markers, and a tapestry needle for finishing.