Classic Elite Yarns Redbud Jumper Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Redbud Knit Sweater Pattern

What Is Being Made

The Redbud is a dolman sleeve pullover sweater designed by Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark. This intermediate-level knitting project features a wide neckline and elbow-length sleeves adorned with decorative leaf lace columns. The sweater is constructed using a two-piece dolman method, with back and front pieces that are identical. The finished sweater is available in six sizes ranging from XS to 2XL, with finished bust measurements from 30½ inches to 48½ inches and lengths from 20½ inches to 23 inches.

Construction Techniques

The Redbud employs a distinctive bottom-up, seamed construction method. Each piece—back and front—is knit individually from the hem upward using the flat working method on circular needles. The dolman sleeve construction creates sleeves by increasing and casting on additional stitches at each edge as you work upward. Once both pieces are completed, they are connected at the top sleeve and shoulder area using a three-needle bind-off technique. After the main body is assembled, the neckline and cuff ribbing are picked up and knit outward from the body edges, creating a finished, polished look.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern incorporates two primary stitch techniques:

• Twisted 1 x 1 Rib: Used for the cuff and neckline ribbing, this textured rib is worked over a multiple of 2 stitches with a 2-row repeat in flat construction and a 1-round repeat in circular construction. The twisted variation uses knit-through-back-loop stitches alternated with purl stitches, creating a refined, elastic edge finish.
• Leaf Lace: The signature decorative element of this sweater, the leaf lace pattern is worked over a multiple of 27 stitches with an 8-row repeat. This lace motif creates elegant columns of openwork that run vertically down the front and back of the sweater. When working the lace pattern, if insufficient stitches remain at the edges to complete a double yarn-over and double decrease combination, those edge stitches are worked in stockinette stitch instead.

Materials and Tools

The Redbud pattern calls for Firefly yarn by Classic Elite Yarns, a luxurious blend of 75% viscose and 25% linen. Each 50-gram ball yields approximately 155 yards of yarn. The project requires 6 to 10 balls depending on the size being knitted, with the sample shown knitted in color 7755 Corsica.

Needle requirements include two circular knitting needles in US size 6 (4 mm) measuring 32 inches in length, a 24-inch circular needle in US size 4 (3.5 mm), and double-pointed needles in size US 4 (3.5 mm) for the three-needle bind-off. The use of circular needles accommodates the large stitch counts required for this garment; stitches are worked back and forth in rows rather than joined in the round, except where specified for ribbing pickup.

Pattern Notes and Details

The pattern was originally published in Spring 2012 in Peabody Path, a printed collection of designs by Classic Elite Yarns. The design is classified as intermediate skill level, making it suitable for knitters with foundational experience in techniques such as increasing, decreasing, lace work, and seaming. The sweater's construction method—knitting two identical flat pieces and joining them at the shoulders—provides a straightforward approach to creating a garment with complex stitch patterning and a comfortable, flowing silhouette.