Sesia Jaine Pullover Jumper Knitting Pattern

Sesia Jaine Pullover Pattern Summary

What is Being Made

The Sesia Jaine Pullover is an easy-level knitted sweater designed by Rosemary Drysdale. This garment is a classic pullover style available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3XL, with finished bust measurements from 35½ inches (90 cm) to 53½ inches (136 cm). The pullover features a center back length ranging from 22 inches (56 cm) to 24½ inches (62 cm) depending on size, and is designed to fit with 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) of positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Techniques Used

The Jaine Pullover is constructed using bottom-up knitting methodology, meaning the garment pieces are worked from the lower edges upward toward the shoulders and neckline. The pullover is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, and pieces are subsequently seamed together to create the finished garment. This traditional construction approach allows for straightforward shaping and modifications at key points such as the armholes and neckline.

The pattern incorporates raglan armhole shaping, a classic design element where diagonal decreases create sloped lines from the underarm to the neckline. The raglan shaping is achieved through cable needle techniques that create decorative decreases while simultaneously reducing stitch counts. Neck shaping is worked simultaneously with the raglan armhole decreases on the front piece, requiring careful attention to multiple shaping sequences.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) — The primary stitch throughout the garment, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows. This produces the smooth, classic fabric characteristic of traditional pullover sweaters.
• Cable Needle Techniques — Decorative decreases worked with a cable needle create the raglan shaping. These decreases involve slipping stitches to a cable needle, holding them in front or back, and working them together with adjacent stitches to form shaped decreases rather than simple bind-offs.
• Garter Stitch — Used at the lower edge of the garment (Rows 1–3 of the back and front pieces), created by knitting every row on both right-side and wrong-side rows, providing a finished edge.

Materials and Gauge

The Sesia Jaine Pullover is knitted with Sesia Pigalle yarn, a luxury blend composed of 71% super kid mohair, 20% silk, and 9% lurex. This yarn is worked with two strands held together throughout the entire garment, creating a cohesive, unified fabric. Each ball contains 0.88 ounces (25 grams) and yields 232 yards (212 meters). The pattern calls for 4–7 balls total, depending on size, in two coordinating colorways: fog (color 1115) and mist (color 1364).

The pattern is worked on size 8 (5mm) straight needles for the main body pieces and a size 8 (5mm) circular needle measuring 16 inches (40 cm) for the neckline. Additional tools include a cable needle for the decorative decreases, stitch holders and markers for managing stitches during construction, and a yarn needle for seaming and finishing.

The recommended gauge is 18 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch when working with two strands held together. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements and fit, and knitters are advised to take time to check gauge before beginning the project.

Construction Overview

The Jaine Pullover is constructed in separate pieces: a back panel, a front panel, and sleeves (implied by the raglan shaping). The back piece is cast on and worked in garter stitch for the first three rows, then continues in Stockinette stitch until reaching the armhole depth. Raglan armholes are then shaped through a series of decreases worked every right-side row, with stitches bound off at the beginning of the first decrease row for larger sizes. The front piece follows the same construction as the back until a specified length is reached, at which point neck shaping begins while raglan shaping continues simultaneously. This dual shaping requires careful stitch management and marker placement to track the center front stitches designated for the neckline.