Classic Elite Yarns Kilkee Jumper Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Kilkee Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Kilkee is an oversized, seamless, boxy pullover sweater designed by Tonia Barry. This knitted garment features an asymmetrical cable panel paired with reverse stockinette detailing, creating visual interest through strategic stitch placement. The design was originally published in the Emerald Isle 1508 printed collection and is available as a downloadable PDF pattern from Classic Elite Yarns.

Construction Techniques

The Kilkee sweater employs a bottom-up construction method, beginning with the lower body and progressing upward to the upper sections. The garment is worked seamlessly in the round for the lower body using a longer circular needle, which eliminates the need for seaming and creates a smooth, continuous fabric. The pattern transitions from circular knitting to working back and forth in rows when the upper body begins, requiring knitters to maintain continuity in the cable panel stitch pattern across this transition. The sleeves are picked up from the armholes and worked downward, with options for working either in the round or flat depending on knitter preference.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Kilkee features two primary cable panel variations to accommodate different construction methods:

• Cable Panel in Rounds: Worked over 15 stitches across a 16-round repeat. The pattern includes 5/5 right cross (RC) cables and 5/5 left cross (LC) cables, with knit stitches filling the remaining stitch count. Rounds 1–2 and 4–10 consist of knitting all 15 stitches, while Round 3 introduces the 5/5 RC cable over 10 stitches followed by 5 knit stitches. Round 11 reverses this with 5 knit stitches followed by a 5/5 LC cable, and Rounds 12–16 return to knitting all stitches.
• Cable Panel in Rows: Also worked over 15 stitches with a 16-row repeat for the upper body sections worked flat. Right-side rows alternate with wrong-side purl rows. Cable crosses occur on Row 3 (5/5 RC) and Row 11 (5/5 LC), with the same 10-stitch cable width and 5-stitch knit separation as the round version.
• Reverse Stockinette: The sleeves are worked in reverse stockinette stitch, where purl stitches face outward, creating a textured appearance that complements the cable panel. Knitters have the option to work this section with knit stitches facing outward by reversing the garment's direction during sleeve construction.
• Ribbed Cuff: The sleeve cuffs feature ribbing that appears identical on both sides, allowing flexibility in finishing approach.

Sizing and Stitch Counts

The Kilkee is offered in six sizes with stitch counts ranging from 156 stitches (smallest size) to 236 stitches (largest size) for the lower body. The pattern uses a longer circular needle in a larger size for the initial cast-on, which accommodates the oversized, boxy silhouette. Front and back sections are cast on separately with equal stitch distribution—78 (86, 94, 102, 110, 118) stitches for each section—before joining to work in the round.

Materials

The Kilkee pattern is designed to be worked with Classic Elite Yarns products, though specific yarn weight and yardage requirements are not detailed in the provided content. The pattern requires circular needles in at least two sizes (a longer circular needle in a larger size for the lower body and additional needles for upper sections and sleeves). Knitters will need a stitch marker to denote the right side placement and additional markers for pattern repeats.

Pattern Notes and Special Considerations

The pattern includes important guidance for maintaining stitch pattern continuity when transitioning from circular to flat knitting. Knitters must track which round or row was completed before switching methods and begin the alternate stitch pattern at the corresponding row number to ensure seamless visual flow. For example, if the lower body ends on Round 6 of the cable panel, the upper body begins on Row 7 of the cable panel in rows.

The sleeve construction offers flexibility: knitters preferring to knit every round rather than purl can reverse the garment's direction during the sleeve pick-up round, working with the right side facing and then turning the garment inside out to continue. Decrease rounds on the wrong side are worked as k1, k2tog, knit to the last 3 stitches, s