Noro Lhotse Jumper Knitting Pattern

Noro Lhotse Knit Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Noro Lhotse is an intermediate-level knit sweater designed by The Noro Design Team. This garment is a classic pullover sweater available in six sizes ranging from X-Small to 2X, with finished bust measurements from 37 inches (94cm) to 58 inches (147cm). The sweater features a finished length between 22½ and 25½ inches (56.5 to 64.5cm) and upper arm circumferences from 13 to 18 inches (33 to 46cm), making it a versatile wardrobe staple suitable for various body types.

Techniques Used

The Noro Lhotse employs several key knitting techniques to create its finished structure. The sweater is worked flat, meaning pieces are knitted on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for greater control over pattern placement. The garment is constructed using a bottom-up method, where the body and sleeves are knitted starting from the lower edges and working upward toward the shoulders. Cable techniques are featured prominently throughout the design, creating textured three-dimensional patterns. The pieces are then seamed together, requiring careful finishing work to join the front, back, and sleeves into a cohesive garment.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Noro Lhotse incorporates several fundamental and decorative stitches. Stockinette stitch (St st) forms the base fabric for much of the garment, providing a smooth, classic knit appearance. The sweater features a Diamond/Cable Pattern that repeats over a multiple of 21 stitches plus 13 additional stitches, with the pattern repeating every 14 rows. This intricate stitch pattern is best worked with stitch markers to isolate the diamond and cable sections, making the knitting process more manageable and reducing errors.

Additional stitch techniques include slip, slip, knit/purl decreases, which involve slipping two stitches and working them together to decrease one stitch. Yarn overs are used to create new stitches and contribute to the textured patterning. Slip stitches help maintain selvage edges that facilitate easier seaming during finishing. Purlwise insertions are used when specific stitch manipulations require passing the needle through stitches as if to purl rather than knit.

Materials and Tools

The Noro Lhotse calls for 6 to 8 hanks of Noro Kashirukuru yarn in colorway #14, depending on the size being knitted. The yardage per hank is 75 grams. Knitters will need two pairs of needles: size US 6 (4mm) needles and size US 7 (4.5mm) needles, or the size necessary to achieve the specified gauge. Additional tools include a cable needle for manipulating cable stitches and stitch markers to isolate pattern sections during knitting.

Gauge and Sizing

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this project. Over stockinette stitch using size US 7 (4.5mm) needles, the gauge is 18 stitches and 25 rows per 4 inches (10cm). When working the Diamond/Cable Pattern using the same needle size, the gauge is 20 stitches and 25 rows per 4 inches (10cm). The pattern explicitly advises knitters to take time to check gauges before beginning, as gauge accuracy directly impacts the finished measurements of the sweater.

Construction Method

The back piece is initiated by casting on between 90 and 142 stitches depending on size. The construction begins with 4 rows of stockinette stitch using the smaller needles, which creates a neat foundation edge. Knitters then transition to the larger needles to begin the main pattern work. This two-needle approach creates a subtle gauge transition that helps prevent curling at the cast-on edge while allowing the main fabric to achieve the desired drape and texture.