Lana Grossa Pullover Jumper Knitting Pattern

Lana Grossa Pullover in Cool Wool

What is Being Made

This is a classic pullover sweater designed from the Merino Edition collection by Lana Grossa. The garment is available in four size ranges: 36/38, 40/42, 44/46, and 48/50, making it suitable for a variety of body measurements. The pullover features a sophisticated cable pattern detail on the front and sleeves, combined with stockinette stitch sections for a balanced, refined aesthetic.

Construction Technique

The Lana Grossa Pullover in Cool Wool is constructed using a bottom-up seamed method, meaning the sleeves and body are knitted separately from the cuff and hem upward, then joined together. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, which allows for precise shaping and pattern placement. This traditional approach gives the knitter excellent control over fit and stitch definition, particularly in the cable sections.

The sweater is finished with a neckband that is picked up around the neck opening and worked in ribbing, creating a neat, professional edge. All seams are sewn together after the individual pieces are completed and blocked to measurements, ensuring clean, durable construction.

Stitches and Pattern Details

The pullover incorporates several key stitch techniques:

• Ribbing (K1, P1): Used on the sleeve cuffs and neckband for stretch and recovery. The sleeve ribs measure 4 cm before transitioning to the main pattern.
• Stockinette Stitch (St st): Knit on right-side rows and purl on wrong-side rows, creating the smooth, classic fabric that frames the cable sections on each sleeve.
• Aran Pattern: The signature feature of this design, worked from charted patterns A and B. The Aran cables are centered on the front and sleeves, with the pattern repeating over 12 rows. This traditional Irish cable technique adds visual interest and texture to the garment.

The pattern instructions include specific stitch counts for each size, with selvage stitches at the edges to ensure neat seaming. Stitches are increased gradually along the sleeves to create a proper cap shaping, with increases occurring at regular intervals (every 10th row initially, then transitioning to every 6th or 4th row depending on size) to achieve the correct sleeve circumference.

Materials and Gauge

The Lana Grossa Pullover in Cool Wool is knitted using Lana Grossa Cool Wool, a yarn composed of 100% pure wool. The yardage required varies by size: 550 grams (approximately 880 meters) for size 36/38, increasing to 700 grams (approximately 1,120 meters) for size 48/50. The sample shown is worked in Light Rosewood (color 2010).

Two needle sizes are required for this project. Size 3 mm needles are used for the ribbed cuffs and neckband, while size 3.5 mm needles are used for the main body and sleeves. A size 3 mm circular needle measuring 40-50 cm is needed for picking up stitches around the neckline. A cable needle is essential for working the Aran cable patterns.

Proper gauge is critical for this garment's fit. On the larger needles, the stockinette stitch gauge is 24 stitches and 34 rows over 10 x 10 cm. The Aran pattern gauge is slightly tighter at 30 stitches and 34 rows over 10 x 10 cm, reflecting the density added by the cable twists. Knitters should always swatch and measure gauge before beginning to ensure accurate sizing.

Shaping and Finishing

The pullover features careful shaping at both the sleeve cap and body. Sleeve increases are worked strategically to create a gradual expansion from cuff to cap, with the rate of increase varying by size to accommodate different proportions. The sleeve cap is shaped through a series of bind-offs at the beginning of rows, creating a smooth, fitted armhole.

Final finishing involves blocking all pieces to measurements before seaming, which helps even out the stitches and ensures the cables lie flat. The shoulder seams are sewn together, and the neckband is completed by picking up stitches evenly around the neck opening and working in ribbing for a professional, polished appearance.