Classic Elite Yarns Mendon Jumper Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Mendon Pullover Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Mendon is a classic pullover sweater designed by Lillian May, originally published in the Wildwood and MountainTop 1609 printed collection. This garment features a simple yet visually striking construction with a tripled stranded knit technique that creates gradated color stripes throughout the design. The sweater is available in five sizes ranging from Small to 2XL, with finished bust measurements from 36 inches to 52 inches and lengths between 24 and 25.5 inches.

Construction Techniques

The Mendon employs a distinctive two-part construction method that combines both flat and seamed knitting techniques. The upper body, which includes the yoke and sleeves, is worked flat in two separate stockinette halves. Each half begins at the center of the body and is worked outward toward the cuffs. After the upper body sections are completed, stitches for the lower body are picked up along the edges of the upper body and worked in the round using reverse stockinette stitch. This hybrid approach creates interesting textural contrast between different sections of the garment.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The sweater utilizes two primary stitch techniques: Stockinette stitch for the yoke and sleeves, and Reverse Stockinette stitch for the body. The defining feature of this pattern is the tripled stranded color work stripe pattern, which creates gradated color transitions by changing one of the three held strands at a time. The stripe pattern repeats over 48 rows and follows this sequence: 8 rows using 3 strands of color A, 8 rows using 2 strands of A with 1 strand of B, 8 rows using 1 strand of A with 2 strands of B, and 8 rows using 3 strands of B, then reversing back through the sequence. This systematic color rotation creates subtle, blended stripe effects rather than harsh color blocks.

Shaping is incorporated through strategic increases at the neck edge, with the pattern noting that increases are made using the kfb (knit front and back) technique to add stitches at the front neckline. The pattern is rated as intermediate skill level, reflecting the complexity of managing three yarn strands simultaneously while executing color changes and shaping.

Materials and Yarn Weight

The Mendon is designed to be worked with three strands of yarn held together throughout the entire project. The yarn is held as a bundle of three separate colors, with one strand changed at a time according to the stripe pattern sequence. This tripled strand approach creates a thicker, more substantial fabric than single-strand knitting and allows for the gradated color effects that define the design. While the specific yarn weight and yardage requirements are not detailed in the provided pattern excerpt, the use of three strands simultaneously indicates this is a worsted or similar weight yarn suitable for triple-strand knitting.

Pattern Notes and Construction Details

• The pattern is worked using three strands of yarn held together throughout, with color changes made one strand at a time
• The upper body consists of two separate stockinette halves, each beginning at the center and worked outward
• Lower body stitches are picked up from the upper body edges and worked in the round in reverse stockinette
• Available in five sizes: S, M, L, XL, and 2XL, with the pattern shown in size S
• Front neck shaping is created through increases worked every other row
• Yarn may be carried without breaking between stripe color changes if the same colors continue in the next row, or broken and rejoined when new color combinations begin