Classic Elite Yarns Hero Jumper Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Hero Striped Sweater

What is Being Made

The Hero is a classic pullover sweater designed by Lillian May, originally published in Fall 1610. This garment is a versatile, easy-skill-level sweater available in seven sizes ranging from XS to 3XL, with finished bust measurements from 32 inches to 56 inches and lengths from 23½ inches to 27¼ inches. The sweater features an intentional striped colorwork design that does not match at the raglan lines, creating a modern, artfully imperfect aesthetic.

Construction Technique

The Hero sweater is worked in pieces from the bottom up using a seamed construction method. This approach allows knitters to work flat on needles rather than in the round, making it accessible for those who prefer traditional flat knitting. The garment components are knitted separately and then seamed together, with minimal finishing required. The pattern notes that working on a circular needle while carrying unused colors up the side of the work allows you to begin each new stripe on either a wrong-side or right-side row, depending on where the yarn of that color is located.

Stitch Pattern and Colorwork

The Hero features a sophisticated stripe pattern worked entirely in stockinette stitch (St st). The stripe pattern consists of a 100-row repeat with varying stripe widths:

• 8 rows Color A, 10 rows Color B
• 4 rows Color A, 6 rows Color B
• 12 rows Color A, 3 rows Color B
• 5 rows Color A, 4 rows Color B
• 4 rows Color A, 12 rows Color B
• 6 rows Color A (beginning the sleeve stripe pattern), 3 rows Color B
• 5 rows Color A, 10 rows Color B
• 5 rows Color A, 3 rows Color B

This 100-row sequence then repeats throughout the sweater. The pattern offers flexibility, allowing knitters to either follow the stripe sequence as written or work stripes by changing colors randomly for a more spontaneous effect. The sleeve stripes begin with the last 32 rows of the pattern and then continue from the beginning of the pattern repeat.

Shaping and Decreases

The sweater incorporates strategic shaping to create a fitted silhouette. The pattern includes three types of decrease rows:

• Dec row (RS): K1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1 – decreasing 2 stitches
• Double Dec row (RS): K1, sssk, knit to last 4 stitches, k3tog, k1 – decreasing 4 stitches
• Inc row (RS): K1, kfb, knit to last 3 stitches, kfb, k2 – increasing 2 stitches

Armhole shaping is achieved by binding off stitches at the beginning of rows, followed by raglan shaping that maintains the stripe pattern throughout. The raglan decreases vary by size, with smaller sizes working single decreases followed by even rows, while larger sizes incorporate double decreases for more dramatic shaping.

Materials and Tools

The Hero is designed to be knitted with Classic Elite Yarns yarn and requires knitting needles (circular needles are recommended for carrying unused colors). The pattern accommodates seven different sizes with varying stitch counts, ranging from 80 cast-on stitches for the smallest size to 140 stitches for the largest size.

Skill Level and Finishing

Rated as an Easy skill level, the Hero sweater is designed with minimal finishing, making it an ideal project for knitters seeking a straightforward construction with beautiful results. The intentional misalignment of stripes at the raglan lines is a design feature rather than an oversight, contributing to the sweater's contemporary aesthetic.