Ella Rae Jumper Knitting Pattern

Ella Rae Louisa Striped Organic Cotton Sweater

What is Being Made

The Ella Rae Louisa is a knitted pullover sweater designed by Ursula McGrath, crafted from Ella Rae Eco Organic Cotton. This garment is available in four sizes to fit bust measurements of 32-34 inches (Small), 34-36 inches (Medium), 36-38 inches (Large), and 38-40 inches (X-Large). The finished sweater features a width of 37-43 inches at the underarm and a total length of 23-26 inches, with sleeve seams measuring 17-18.5 inches depending on size.

Techniques and Construction Method

The Louisa sweater is constructed using a bottom-up seamed method, meaning the body and sleeves are knitted separately starting from the lower edges and then assembled together. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, requiring seaming to join the pieces. The design incorporates striped colorwork throughout, creating visual interest with alternating bands of color.

The construction includes strategic shaping at the armholes, where stitches are cast off at the beginning of rows followed by decreases worked at each end over subsequent rows to create proper sleeve cap fit. Shoulder shaping is accomplished through stepped cast-offs, and the neckline features a separate neckband component that is picked up from held stitches at the center front and back.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used in the Louisa is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat knit side and a bumpy purl side. The stripe pattern is created by working alternating rows in different yarn colors, building the striped effect throughout the body and sleeves. The pattern includes decreases worked as knit two together (k2tog) for shaping at the armholes and shoulders, and cast-off techniques for finishing edges and creating structured shaping.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Louisa pattern calls for Ella Rae Eco Organic Cotton yarn in three coordinating shades:

• 2-3 x 100g balls in shade 37 Tutu (A) — the primary color
• 2 x 100g balls in shade 38 Wisteria (B) — the secondary stripe color
• 2-3 x 100g balls in shade 41 Aloe (C) — the tertiary stripe color

The exact yardage requirements vary by size, with larger sizes requiring additional yardage in shades A and C. Ella Rae Eco Organic Cotton is a natural fiber yarn, making this sweater breathable and suitable for warm-weather wear.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern requires two pairs of knitting needles: US 3/3.25mm needles for ribbed edgings and US 5/3.75mm needles for the main body fabric. The working gauge is 24 stitches by 30 rows over a 4-inch square in stockinette stitch using US 5/3.75mm needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the sweater to fit correctly at the specified finished measurements.