Shibui Knits Column Jumper Knitting Pattern

Shibui Knits Column Bell Sleeve Pullover

What Is Being Made

The Column is a sophisticated women's pullover sweater featuring distinctive bell-shaped sleeves that gradually slope outward from the shoulder. The design emphasizes vertical stitch details that complement the elegant bell sleeve silhouette, creating a refined and contemporary garment. Available in five sizes ranging from XS to XL, with finished bust circumferences from 35.5 to 47.5 inches, the Column is designed to be worn with approximately 3 inches of positive ease.

Techniques Used

This pullover is knit flat from the bottom up, meaning you begin at the lower edge and work upward toward the neckline. The garment features raglan sleeves, a classic construction method where the sleeve cap decreases diagonally from the underarm to the neckline, creating seamless integration between sleeve and body. The sweater is seamed together after the flat knitting is complete, joining the various pieces with a tapestry needle. This bottom-up, seamed construction approach allows for straightforward sizing adjustments and provides excellent control over fit and proportions.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Column is stockinette stitch (St st), the fundamental knit fabric created by alternating knit and purl rows. The signature vertical stitch detail that defines the Column's sophisticated aesthetic is achieved through a modified Ric Rac stitch pattern, which creates columned texture elements running vertically through the fabric. This stitch pattern is essential to the design's visual appeal and requires careful attention to both stitch and row gauge during knitting. The pattern notes emphasize that matching row gauge is equally important as matching stitch gauge, as different row gauges will result in varying armhole depths that affect the overall fit of the garment.

Materials and Tools

The Column combines two luxurious Shibui Knits yarns held together as a single strand throughout construction:

• Shibui Dune: A blend of 50% baby alpaca, 25% baby camel, and 25% silk, providing softness and a subtle sheen. Yardage is 142 yards per 50-gram skein, with 6, 7, 7, 8, or 9 skeins required depending on size.
• Shibui Cima: Composed of 70% superbaby alpaca and 30% fine merino wool, offering durability and elasticity. This yarn provides 328 yards per 50-gram skein, requiring 4, 4, 4, 5, or 5 skeins based on size.

The combination of Dune and Cima creates a soft, durable fabric with beautiful drape characteristics. The pattern is worked on size 6 (4 mm) needles or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge of 20 stitches and 32 rows equaling 4 inches in stockinette stitch after blocking. Additional tools include locking stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and decreases, stitch holders for securing stitches during construction, and a tapestry needle for seaming pieces together. The garment shown in the pattern photography is displayed in Graphite colorway.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated at Intermediate skill level, appropriate for knitters with experience in basic garment construction, stitch pattern following, and seaming techniques.