Noro Saddle Shoulder Colorblock Top Jumper Knitting Pattern

Noro Saddle Shoulder Colorblock Top

What Is Being Made

The Noro Saddle Shoulder Colorblock Top is a knitted pullover sweater featuring a distinctive saddle shoulder construction. This garment showcases a colorblock design created through the use of contrasting yarns, with the main color (MC) forming the primary body and sleeves, while a secondary color (A) provides visual contrast. The sweater is designed with a fitted bust and moderate length, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs bottom-up construction, meaning the sweater is knitted starting from the lower edges and working upward toward the shoulders. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, and all pieces are subsequently seamed together during finishing. The saddle shoulder technique involves strategic placement of sleeve caps that sit slightly higher on the shoulder, creating a refined silhouette. Increases are incorporated using M1 (make one) stitches to shape the sleeves gradually, with increases occurring at regular intervals to achieve the proper upper sleeve width.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout this pattern is stockinette stitch (St st), which is worked by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows when working flat. This classic stitch creates a smooth, refined fabric with a characteristic V-pattern appearance on the right side. The pattern also incorporates single crochet for the hem edging, which is worked in the round using a crochet hook to create a finished, polished edge along the lower boundary of the sweater.

Materials and Tools

This sweater is crafted using Noro Taiyo yarn, a premium yarn choice known for its distinctive color variations. The pattern calls for 3 to 4 skeins of Noro Taiyo in colorway #40 (the main color, or MC), depending on the size being knitted, and 1 to 2 skeins in colorway #52 (color A) for the colorblock accents. Knitting is executed on size 8 (5mm) needles, which are paired with a size G/6 (4mm) crochet hook for the finishing hem edging. The pattern also requires stitch markers to track increases and construction points. The recommended gauge is 16 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch using size 8 needles, and achieving this gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements.

Sizing and Finished Measurements

The Noro Saddle Shoulder Colorblock Top is available in six sizes with the following finished bust measurements: 35, 39, 43, 47, 51, and 55 inches (89, 99, 109, 119.5, 129.5, and 140 centimeters). The finished length ranges from 21½ to 25 inches (54.5 to 63.5 centimeters), accommodating various heights and preferences. The upper sleeve width varies from 15½ to 20½ inches (39.5 to 52 centimeters), ensuring proper fit across different size ranges.

Construction Details

The back panel is initiated by casting on between 70 and 110 stitches depending on size, and is worked in stockinette stitch until reaching the specified length. The sleeves begin with a smaller cast-on of 54 to 74 stitches and feature strategic increases worked every 14th to 20th row (depending on size) to gradually expand the sleeve width. Increases are positioned symmetrically around center markers to create balanced sleeve shaping. Once all pieces are completed, they are blocked to measurements to ensure accuracy before assembly. The sleeves are set using the saddle shoulder method, with careful measurement and marker placement to align the sleeve cap properly with the armhole. Side seams and sleeve seams are then sewn together to complete the garment structure. Finally, a crochet hem edging in single crochet is worked around the lower edge using the main color yarn, providing a polished, finished appearance.