Isthmus Pullover Jumper Knitting Pattern

Isthmus Pullover in Berroco Ultra Wool

What is Being Made

The Isthmus Pullover is a pullover sweater designed by Allison Jane from Portfolio Vol. 4. This garment is worked in the round from the neck down, creating a seamless construction. The pullover features a finished bust measurement of 38¼" in the smallest size, with eight size options ranging up to 65¾" to accommodate various body measurements. The design includes approximately 4" of positive ease, making it suitable for a relaxed, comfortable fit. The pullover is finished with a collar and has a length ranging from 22" to 27¼" depending on the selected size.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several advanced techniques that elevate it beyond beginner patterns. The garment is constructed using the top-down, in-the-round method, which allows knitters to try on the piece as it develops and easily adjust length. The pattern incorporates cable patterns as a decorative element, requiring knitters to work with a cable needle to create twisted stitch effects. Provisional cast-on is used to create a flexible starting point, allowing stitches to be picked up later for seamless finishing. The pattern also includes double increases for shaping, a technique that adds two stitches in a single row while maintaining stitch integrity. Knitters will need to work with multiple needle sizes and circular needles of varying lengths to manage the increasing stitch count as the sweater expands from the neckline outward.

Stitches Used

The Isthmus Pullover utilizes a combination of fundamental and decorative stitches. Stockinette stitch (St st) forms the primary fabric base, creating a smooth, classic knit appearance. Cable patterns are incorporated as design elements, worked according to a provided chart. The pattern includes specialized stitch techniques such as Left Cross (LC) and Right Cross (RC), which involve slipping stitches to a cable needle and crossing them over adjacent stitches to create twisted, braided effects. Double Increases are used strategically for shaping, working into the leg of stitches below to add two stitches while maintaining pattern continuity. Purl stitches are used in combination with knit stitches, particularly within the cable pattern sections, to create textural contrast and definition.

Materials and Gauge

This pullover is designed to be worked in Berroco Ultra Wool, a 100-gram ball yarn. The yardage requirement ranges from 6 balls for the smallest size to 13 balls for the largest size, with the pattern shown in colorway #33103 Wheat. The pattern calls for multiple needle sizes to accommodate different stitch patterns and sections. Size 7 (4.50 mm) circular needles in 32" length are used for the main body fabric, while Size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles are used for ribbed sections and finer gauge work. Double-pointed needles in both sizes are required for working the sleeves in the round. A 16" circular needle in size 5 is specified for the collar, with a spare 16" needle also recommended. Additional notions include a cable needle for cable work, 12 stitch markers (with one in a contrasting color to mark the beginning of rounds), a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and waste yarn for the provisional cast-on and holding sleeve stitches. The pattern specifies two different gauges: 22 stitches and 28 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needle, and 26 stitches and 28 rounds over 4 inches in cable pattern on the larger needle, both measured after blocking. Accurate gauge is emphasized as essential to achieving the correct finished measurements.