Malabrigo Waverly Jumper Knitting Pattern

Malabrigo Waverly Patterned Turtleneck Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Malabrigo Waverly is a yoke patterned turtleneck sweater designed by Sandi Prosser. This classic pullover features a distinctive patterned yoke detail combined with a comfortable turtleneck collar. The sweater is sized for Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large, with finished bust measurements ranging from 38 to 51½ inches. The garment offers a finished length of approximately 24½ to 26 inches, making it a versatile piece suitable for layering or wearing as a standalone sweater.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Waverly sweater employs several key knitting construction techniques to create its finished design. The garment is worked flat, meaning pieces are knitted on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier pattern management and shaping. The sweater is constructed using a bottom-up approach, where the body and sleeves are knitted starting from the lower edges and working upward toward the shoulders. Individual pieces are then seamed together to create the finished garment. The design incorporates striping throughout, with color changes between the Aniversario and SandBank yarns creating visual interest. The yoke features a chart pattern that adds textural and visual complexity to the upper portion of the sweater.

Stitches Used

This pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for the Easy skill level designation. The ribbing at the cuffs and hem is worked in knit 2, purl 2 (k2, p2) rib, a classic elastic stitch that provides stretch and recovery at garment edges. The main body fabric is worked in stockinette stitch (Sts), which creates a smooth, traditional knit fabric with a flat appearance. The yoke section incorporates a chart pattern that introduces additional stitch variations and color work to create the patterned detail characteristic of this design. Shaping is accomplished through strategic decreases at the neckline and increases along the sleeve sides to achieve proper fit and silhouette.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Waverly sweater is designed to be knitted using Malabrigo Rios yarn, a premium wool blend available in 3½ ounce hanks. Each hank provides approximately 210 yards of yardage and features a super-wash merino wool fiber content, making the finished garment easy to care for. The pattern requires two colors: Aniversario (color #005) in quantities ranging from 3 to 4 hanks depending on size, and SandBank (color #131) in quantities from 4 to 6 hanks. The color combination creates the striped and patterned effects throughout the design.

Needles and Notions

The pattern calls for three sizes of straight needles: size 6, 7, and 8 (4, 4.5, and 5mm), allowing the knitter to adjust tension and achieve proper gauge across different stitch patterns. Additionally, circular needles in sizes 6 and 7 (4 and 4.5mm), 16 inches long, are required for working the ribbed sections and neckline. Essential notions include clip-on stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches during construction, and a tapestry needle for seaming pieces together and weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge Information

Achieving proper gauge is critical for the successful completion of this sweater. The pattern specifies two distinct gauges: 21 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch using size 7 (4.5mm) needles, and 21 stitches and 31 rows over 4 inches over the chart pattern using size 8 (5mm) needles. The difference in row gauge between stockinette and patterned sections reflects the density changes created by the yoke pattern work. Knitters are strongly advised to knit gauge swatches in both stitch patterns before beginning the project to ensure proper finished measurements.

Construction Overview

The Waverly is constructed in separate pieces that are later seamed together. The back and front are worked identically until the neckline shaping begins, at which point the front piece is divided to create the neck opening. Decreases are worked at the neck edges over several rows