Serena Sweater Jumper Knitting Pattern

Serena Sweater in Rowan Alpaca Classic

What is Being Made

The Serena Sweater is an intermediate-level knitted pullover sweater designed for a range of bust circumferences from 71-76 cm up to 152-157 cm. This garment features a classic crew neckline and is constructed using traditional knitting techniques with a fitted silhouette achieved through strategic shaping at the shoulders and neckline.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques to create structure and fit:

• Stockinette Stitch (jersey endroit) forms the primary fabric throughout the sweater, creating a smooth, classic knit surface
• Decreasing is used extensively to shape the armholes, shoulders, and neckline, with decreases worked at regular intervals (every 2 rows or 6 rows depending on the section)
• Shoulder Shaping (biaiser l'épaule) is achieved through bind-offs worked at the beginning of rows in graduated quantities
• Neckline Shaping involves holding stitches on waste yarn while shaping the front neckline separately on each side
• Ribbing at the cuffs and hem provides elasticity and structure to the garment edges

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch (point mouche) for ribbed edgings
• Stockinette Stitch (jersey endroit) as the main fabric
• Knit Stitches (m end) throughout the body and shaping
• Purl Stitches (m env) for reverse rows in stockinette construction

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Serena Sweater is designed to be worked in Rowan Alpaca Classic, a luxurious alpaca yarn. The pattern provides specific yardage requirements for four colorway options:

• A - Snowflake White: 115 yards (25g balls)
• B - Champagne: 127 yards (25g balls)
• C - Cinnamon: 118 yards (25g balls)
• D - Sierra Melange: 117 yards (25g balls)

The exact yardage varies slightly by size, with larger sizes requiring additional yardage (up to 4 balls for the largest sizes).

Needles required:

• One pair of size 3¼ needles for ribbed edgings
• One pair of size 3¾ needles for the main fabric

Gauge and Construction Details

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 23 stitches and 31 rows over 10 centimeters in stockinette stitch on size 3¾ needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit across the nine available sizes.

The sweater is constructed in separate pieces: the back, front, and sleeves are knitted individually before assembly. The back begins with a cast-on of 112 to 193 stitches depending on size, and the front is worked similarly until the neckline shaping begins approximately 8 to 14 rows before the shoulder height of the back piece. The neckline features a centered front opening with 22 to 28 stitches held on waste yarn for the neckband, while each shoulder is shaped independently through a series of decreases and bind-offs.

This intermediate pattern requires competency with basic shaping techniques and the ability to follow detailed row-by-row instructions across multiple sizes, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond fundamental skills.