Classic Elite Yarns Trailing Yew Jumper Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Trailing Yew Knitted Pullover

What Is Being Made

Trailing Yew is an A-line pullover sweater designed by Tonia Barry and originally published in the Classic Elite Yarns collection In the Garden 1803. This intermediate-level knitting project features elegant lace side panels and is available in six sizes ranging from XXS to XL, with finished bust measurements from 30½ inches to 44¼ inches and lengths from 23½ inches to 26¼ inches.

Construction Techniques

This sweater is constructed using a top-down, seamless method worked entirely in the round. The garment begins at the neckline with a ribbed neckband, progresses through a yoked section with raglan increases, and then divides at the base of the yoke to allow the body and sleeves to be worked separately in the round. This construction approach eliminates seaming and creates a smooth, continuous fabric from neck to hem.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern incorporates several fundamental knitting stitches and techniques:

• Stockinette stitch (St st) forms the base fabric throughout most of the garment
• Ribbing creates the neckband using alternating purl and knit rounds
• Diamond Lace stitch serves as the featured decorative element, worked over 31 to 47 stitches across 64 rounds and positioned as side panels along the body
• Lace decreases including k2tog (knit two together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) create the openwork pattern characteristic of the diamond lace design
• Yarn overs (yo) add the delicate, airy quality to the lace panels
• Make-one increases (m1-l and m1-r) are used for the raglan shaping, creating invisible increases that maintain clean lines

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This project uses Yuri by Classic Elite Yarns, a durable blend of 75% superwash merino and 25% nylon. Each 100-gram skein yields approximately 436 yards of yarn. The pattern requires 4 to 5 hanks depending on size, with the sample shown in size XS worked in colorway 5015 Sage. The superwash merino content provides softness and breathability, while the nylon addition increases durability and resilience—ideal for a frequently-worn pullover.

Needles and Tools

The pattern calls for circular knitting needles in multiple sizes and lengths to accommodate different stages of construction. Smaller needles in US size 3 (3.25 mm) are used for the ribbed neckband and finishing, while larger needles in US size 4 (3.5 mm) are used for the main body fabric. Circular needles are available in 16-inch, 24-inch, and 32-inch lengths to suit different stitch counts as the piece expands. Double-pointed needles (dpn) in both sizes are also required for working small circumferences, particularly when completing the sleeves.

Yoke and Shaping Details

The yoke is shaped using strategic raglan increases worked every other round for 13 to 32 rounds depending on size. The set-up round establishes four raglan lines marked with stitch markers, and increases are worked symmetrically at each marker using m1-l (make-one left) and m1-r (make-one right) techniques. This creates a total of 8 stitches increased per raglan round, resulting in a smooth, graduated expansion from the neckline to the underarm.

Skill Level and Pattern Complexity

Rated as an intermediate project, Trailing Yew requires solid foundational knitting skills including proficiency with circular needles, working in the round, reading lace charts, and managing multiple stitch markers. The combination of seamless construction, lace patterning, and raglan shaping makes this an engaging project for knitters who have completed several basic garments and are ready to tackle more sophisticated techniques.