Ella Rae Jumper Knitting Pattern

Ella Rae Rosaline Sweater

What is Being Made

The Ella Rae Rosaline Sweater is a knitted pullover garment designed by Katherine Mehls. This sweater is available in six sizes ranging from Small to XXX-Large, with finished bust measurements from 41 inches (104 cm) to 56 inches (142 cm) and lengths from 17½ inches (44.5 cm) to 21 inches (53.5 cm). The sweater features a classic pullover silhouette with set-in sleeves and a deep neckline with trim detail.

Construction Techniques

The Rosaline Sweater employs a bottom-up seamed construction method, a traditional approach to garment knitting. The front and back pieces are worked flat on straight needles, meaning they are knitted in rows rather than in the round. Once the body pieces reach the appropriate length, the sleeves are picked up from the armhole edge and worked downward to the cuff, allowing for a seamless integration with the body. The deep neck trim is picked up around the neckline and worked in the round, creating a finished edge. The body and sleeves are then seamed together using mattress stitch or similar seaming techniques to join the pieces. This construction method provides excellent fit and shaping control.

Stitch Techniques and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used throughout the Rosaline Sweater is Seed Stitch, a fundamental textured stitch that creates a bumpy, fabric-like appearance. Seed Stitch is worked over an even number of stitches by alternating knit and purl stitches in each row, then purling the knit stitches and knitting the purl stitches in subsequent rows. This creates visual and tactile texture.

The sweater also features striped colorwork created by alternating between the main color and contrasting color. When working stripes, the color not currently in use is carried loosely up the side of the work, eliminating the need to cut and rejoin yarn and reducing finishing work.

The cast-on method specified is the Long-Tail Cast-On, a versatile and elastic cast-on technique that creates a professional, finished edge suitable for garment knitting. This method involves making a slip knot, winding the tail around the thumb, and drawing yarn through loops to form stitches in a controlled manner.

Materials and Tools

The Rosaline Sweater is knitted using Ella Rae Eco Tweed yarn. The main color (MC) requires 4 to 6 hanks of 100g each in shade 07 Ochre, depending on size. The contrasting color (CC) requires 1 hank of 100g in shade 09 Carnelian. Eco Tweed is a textured yarn that complements the Seed Stitch pattern beautifully.

Two circular needles in different sizes are required: one US 5/3.75mm circular needle measuring 24 inches (60 cm) long for the ribbed sections and one US 6/4mm circular needle measuring 24 inches (60 cm) long for the main fabric. The pattern also calls for stitch markers and a locking stitch marker to track pattern repeats and construction points.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 21 stitches and 38 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Seed Stitch using size US 6/4mm needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit, as the sweater is sized for six different measurements. Knitters should swatch and measure their gauge before beginning the project to ensure their finished garment matches the intended dimensions.