Pintado Sweater Jumper Knitting Pattern

Pintado Sweater in Malabrigo Mecha

What is Being Made

The Pintado Sweater is an oversized and cozy pullover featuring a distinctive slash neck design. This intermediate-level knitting project combines comfort with thoughtful design details, including functional shoulder buttons and a gently curved hemline that flatters the wearer. The sweater is available in two sizes with finished chest measurements of 46 inches (117 cm) and 66 inches (168 cm), with lengths of 24 and 26 inches (61 and 66 cm) respectively. The design is specifically engineered to showcase the bouncy, energetic characteristics of Malabrigo Mecha yarn.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs a top-down construction method, where each piece is knit flat and then seamed together. The sweater incorporates several intermediate-level shaping techniques:

• Short row shaping is used on the back piece to create subtle contouring and depth
• High-low front shaping creates the distinctive curved hemline through strategic decreases worked on alternating rows
• Buttonhole placement at the shoulder adds both functional and decorative elements
• Neckband overlap construction where the front and back neckbands are overlapped and stitched in place for a polished finish

All pieces are blocked after completion to achieve accurate finished measurements and optimal drape.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch forms the main body of the sweater, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Knit 1 Purl 1 (K1 P1) ribbing is worked at the edges—7 rows on the back and front pieces, and 7 rows on the neckband—providing elasticity and a finished appearance
• Short rows with a chosen shaping method create the back piece contours

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Pintado Sweater is designed to be knit in Malabrigo Mecha, a premium yarn choice that brings distinctive character to the finished garment. The yarn specifications are as follows:

• Yarn: Malabrigo Mecha in colorway Queguay #877
• Fiber content: 100% superwash Merino wool
• Yardage: 130 yards (119 meters) per 100-gram skein
• Quantity required: 7 skeins for the smaller size or 9 skeins for the larger size

Needles and Notions

The pattern calls for two needle sizes to create contrast between the ribbed and stockinette sections:

• US 10 (6 mm) needles for ribbed sections
• US 10.5 (6.5 mm) needles for stockinette stitch sections
• Gauge (after blocking): 14 stitches and 19 rows equal 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on US 10.5 needles
• Additional notions: 2 buttons measuring 1 inch (2.5 cm), stitch markers, and a tapestry needle for seaming and finishing

Construction Details

The Pintado Sweater is constructed with careful attention to both structure and wearability. The back piece begins with a cast-on of 73 or 95 stitches (depending on size) and is worked in K1 P1 ribbing for 7 rows before transitioning to stockinette stitch. The piece continues until it reaches 21 inches (53 cm) in length, at which point short row shaping is introduced to create subtle back shaping. The front piece follows a similar ribbed beginning but incorporates two buttonholes positioned strategically within the ribbed section. The distinctive high-low hemline is achieved through a series of decreases that gradually work off all stitches, creating the curved silhouette. Sleeves are set using markers positioned 9 to 10 inches (23 to 25 cm) down from the center of the neckband edge, allowing for proper sleeve