Malabrigo Winterdale Jumper Knitting Pattern

Malabrigo Winterdale Cabled Yoke Pullover

What is Being Made

The Malabrigo Winterdale is a cabled yoke pullover sweater designed by Kristina McGowan. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a classic pullover silhouette with a distinctive cabled yoke detail that extends from the neckline. The sweater is sized for Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large, with finished bust measurements ranging from 34½" to 39½" and lengths from 22" to 26" depending on size selection.

Construction Techniques

The Winterdale employs a seamless, top-down construction method worked in the round using circular needles. This approach allows knitters to try on the garment as they work and customize the length easily. The sweater begins with a provisional cast-on and features a cabled yoke that is worked flat initially before transitioning to in-the-round construction for the body. The yoke pattern repeats over 24 rows and is worked until the piece measures 40 inches from the beginning, creating a substantial, textured upper garment section. The pattern incorporates Kitchener stitch grafting to seamlessly join live stitches, eliminating the need for traditional seams and creating a polished, professional finish.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

This design showcases several essential knitting techniques and stitches:

• Cable stitches form the primary decorative element of the yoke, creating the textured, dimensional pattern that defines this sweater's aesthetic
• Knit and purl stitches form the foundation of the cabled yoke chart pattern
• Make One Right (M1R) and Make One Left (M1L) increases are used for shaping, created by inserting the left needle under the strand between stitches and knitting into the loop
• Kitchener stitch (also called grafting) joins two sets of live stitches together invisibly, eliminating visible seams
• Provisional cast-on creates temporary stitches that can later be removed and placed back on the needle for grafting

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Winterdale is designed to be worked in Malabrigo Merino Worsted, a premium merino wool yarn. Each hank contains 3½ ounces (100 grams) and yields approximately 210 yards (192 meters). The pattern requires 6 hanks for Small, increasing to 7, 8, or 9 hanks for Medium, Large, and X-Large sizes respectively. The colorway shown in the pattern is #36 Pearl.

The needle requirements include one size 8 (5mm) circular needle measuring 30 inches (80cm) long for the main body work, along with one complete set of five size 8 (5mm) double-pointed needles (dpn) for working smaller circumferences as needed. A size H/8 (5mm) crochet hook is also required for finishing details. Additional notions include a cable needle for manipulating cable stitches, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and 1¼ yards of round elastic cord for finishing the neckline.

Gauge

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit. Knitters should work a gauge swatch using the cabled yoke pattern to ensure their tension matches the pattern specifications before beginning the sweater.