Phillipa Top Jumper Knitting Pattern

Phillipa Top in Berroco Zinnia

What is Being Made

The Phillipa Top is a knitted pullover sweater designed by Margaux Hufnagel. This intermediate-level garment is a versatile layering piece available in nine sizes ranging from 38½" to 70½" bust circumference. The finished length varies from 19½" to 22½" depending on size, making it suitable for various body types and style preferences. The top features a classic silhouette with positive ease recommendations of 4–8 inches for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Construction Technique

The Phillipa Top is constructed using a top-down, in-the-round knitting method. The garment is worked circularly from the cast-on edge up to the underarms, where it is then divided to work the back and front sections flat. This construction approach provides several advantages: it minimizes seaming, allows for easier fit adjustments during the knitting process, and creates a seamless appearance in the body of the garment. The sleeve sections are worked separately and appear to be set in using traditional methods.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout the Phillipa Top is stockinette stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, classic knit fabric with a V-shaped texture on the right side. The garment features a decorative ridge pattern that adds visual interest and textural variation. This ridge pattern is worked differently depending on the section:

• Ridge Pattern (In the Round): A 12-round repeat that alternates between the contrast color and main color. The pattern includes knit rounds, purl rounds (which create the visible ridges), and extended stockinette sections, creating horizontal striping and textural interest.
• Ridge Pattern (Flat): Adapted for the front and back sections worked flat, this version uses knit rows with the contrast color and stockinette sections with the main color to maintain pattern consistency across the divided sections.

The ridge pattern creates subtle horizontal texture lines that break up the stockinette stitch base, adding dimension without overwhelming the garment's clean aesthetic.

Yarn and Materials

The Phillipa Top is designed to be knitted with Berroco Zinnia, a yarn that comes in 50-gram balls. The pattern calls for two colors: #7146 South Sea as the main color (MC) and #7144 Gulf Stream as the contrast color (CC). Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 5 to 11 balls of the main color and 2 to 4 balls of the contrast color, depending on the finished size selected.

The pattern is worked on a 32-inch circular needle in size 7 (4.5 mm) or whatever size is necessary to achieve the correct gauge. Additional notions include one stitch marker and waste yarn for holding stitches during construction. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, which is essential to check before beginning to ensure accurate finished measurements.

Skill Level and Considerations

Rated as an intermediate project, the Phillipa Top requires knitters to be comfortable with circular knitting, working with two colors, reading stitch patterns, and managing increases and decreases. The pattern includes multiple size options and detailed shaping instructions. Knitters are advised to check their gauge carefully before starting, as gauge accuracy directly affects the final fit of the garment. The downloadable PDF format allows access to the most current version of the pattern, with corrections made as needed.