Malabrigo Empire Jumper Knitting Pattern

Malabrigo Empire Cable-Sleeve Pullover

What Is Being Made

The Malabrigo Empire is a cable-sleeve pullover sweater designed by Justyna Lorkowska. This is a classic crewneck pullover featuring decorative cable stitching on the sleeves, available in seven sizes ranging from Small through XXX-Large. The finished garment offers bust measurements from 35¾ inches (91 cm) up to 45 inches (114 cm), with a total length between 23 and 25½ inches (58.5 to 64.5 cm), making it suitable for a range of body types and fit preferences.

Construction Techniques

The Malabrigo Empire employs several advanced knitting techniques that create both structural integrity and visual interest. The sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down, beginning at the neckline and progressing downward to the body and sleeves. This top-down approach allows for easy fitting adjustments and eliminates the need for seaming. The garment is worked in the round using circular needles, which creates a smooth, continuous fabric without visible seams.

Short-row shaping is incorporated into the yoke construction to create a custom fit across the shoulders and back. This technique involves wrapping stitches at turning points, which are then worked together with their corresponding stitches on subsequent rows to create invisible shaping. The short-row wrap and turn method is detailed in the pattern instructions, allowing knitters to achieve professional shoulder shaping that contours to the body.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The pattern combines fundamental and intermediate-level stitches to create texture and structure. The yoke begins with garter stitch, which provides a stable, textured edge at the neckline. The main body and sleeves feature stockinette stitch as the base fabric, which creates a smooth, classic appearance.

Cable stitches are the signature design element of this sweater, appearing on the sleeves to add visual dimension and texture. The pattern utilizes make-one increases (both M1R and M1L variants) to shape the yoke and create the gradual expansion needed for proper garment fit. These increases are worked strategically during the yoke shaping rounds to distribute fullness evenly across the shoulders and upper body. Stitch markers are used throughout to denote pattern repeats and shaping sections, helping knitters maintain accuracy across multiple size variations.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Malabrigo Empire is designed to be worked in Rios by Malabrigo, a superwash merino wool yarn. Each hank weighs 3½ ounces (100 grams) and contains approximately 210 yards (192 meters) of yarn. The yardage requirement varies by size, ranging from 5 hanks for the smallest size (Small) to 8 hanks for the largest size (XXX-Large), with intermediate quantities for Medium, Large, X-Large, and XX-Large sizes.

The pattern requires two sizes of circular needles to accommodate the yoke shaping and gauge requirements. Knitters will need one 24-inch (60 cm) circular needle in size 5 (3.75 mm) and one 24-inch (60 cm) circular needle in size 7 (4.5 mm). Additionally, a set of five double-pointed needles in both size 5 and size 7 is required for working the sleeves in the round once they are separated from the body. The pattern also calls for a cable needle for manipulating cable stitches, stitch markers to denote pattern sections, waste yarn for holding stitches, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Skill Level and Gauge

This pattern is rated at an intermediate skill level, making it suitable for knitters with prior experience who are comfortable with techniques such as working in the round, reading pattern instructions, and managing multiple stitch markers. The target gauge is 17 stitches and 32 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) when worked over stockinette stitch using the larger needle size. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements.