Classic Elite Yarns Mopsa Jumper Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Mopsa Sweater

Garment Overview

The Mopsa is a classic knitted sweater originally published in Fall 1610 as part of a printed collection of designs from Classic Elite Yarns. This sweater is constructed using a bottom-up, seamed approach worked flat on needles, making it an accessible project for knitters who prefer traditional garment assembly methods.

Construction Technique

The Mopsa sweater is worked flat, meaning pieces are knitted in individual flat sections rather than in the round. The garment is then seamed together to create the finished sweater. This bottom-up construction method begins with the lower edges of the sweater and progresses upward toward the shoulders and neckline, allowing knitters to try on the garment as it develops and easily adjust length before completing the project.

Stitch Patterns and Techniques

2 x 2 Ribbing

The sweater features 2 x 2 Ribbing, a classic elastic stitch pattern worked over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2. This stitch alternates knit and purl columns in a balanced rhythm:

• Row 1 (Right Side): Knit 2, then repeat the sequence of purl 2 and knit 2 across the row
• Row 2 (Wrong Side): Purl 2, then repeat the sequence of knit 2 and purl 2 across the row

These two rows are repeated to create the characteristic vertical texture of ribbed fabric. Ribbing is commonly used for cuffs, waistbands, and necklines because it provides excellent elasticity and recovery, helping the sweater maintain its shape during wear.

Mosaic Lattice Pattern

The primary decorative element of the Mopsa sweater is the Mosaic Lattice Chart, a sophisticated colorwork pattern that creates visual interest without the complexity of traditional stranded colorwork. The mosaic lattice pattern repeats over 32 rows and works across a multiple of 16 stitches plus 2 additional stitches.

Mosaic Knitting Technique: Mosaic knitting is a method of creating multicolor patterns using only one color per row, making it significantly easier than stranded or intarsia colorwork. In mosaic knitting, each row of the chart represents two actual knitted rows—one right-side row and one wrong-side row—both worked with the same color yarn.

The technique relies on strategic slipped stitches to create the pattern. Stitches that are not knitted are slipped instead:

• On right-side rows: Slip stitches purlwise with the yarn held in back
• On wrong-side rows: Slip stitches purlwise with the yarn held in front

When working from the mosaic lattice chart, only the first stitch on the right side of the chart should be worked as a knit stitch if it appears as a knit stitch on right-side rows; all other stitches indicated in the pattern are slipped. On wrong-side rows, only the stitches marked on the chart as knit stitches are worked as knits, while all remaining stitches are slipped.

Color Management: When working mosaic patterns with multiple colors, unused yarn colors should be carried up the side of the work. To prevent loose edges and maintain even tension, twist the working yarns together every two rows where colors change.

Materials

The Mopsa sweater is designed to be worked with Classic Elite Yarns products using knitting needles. The specific yarn weight, yardage requirements, and needle size are detailed in the complete pattern instructions.

Pattern Format

This pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, providing convenient access to the complete instructions, stitch charts, and schematic information for knitting the Mopsa sweater.