Shibui Knits Etch Jumper Knitting Pattern

Shibui Knits Etch Sweater-Tee

What Is Being Made

The Etch is a textured knit sweater-tee designed by Shellie Anderson for Shibui Knits. This garment combines smooth stockinette stitch with contrasting textured stitches, finished with rolled edges for a refined, contemporary look. The sweater-tee is available in five sizes ranging from XS to XL, with finished bust circumferences from 36.75 to 48.75 inches, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various body types.

Construction Techniques

The Etch employs a hybrid construction method that combines both circular and flat knitting techniques. The body is worked in the round from the bottom up using circular needles until the armholes are reached. At this point, the piece is divided, and the front and back are worked flat to the shoulders. This approach minimizes seaming while allowing for precise shaping at the neckline and shoulders.

The sleeves are worked in the round upwards from the cuff to the shoulder, using either circular needles with the magic loop method or double-pointed needles, depending on the knitter's preference. Once complete, the sleeves are set into the armhole openings using slipped stitch selvedges, which are exposed as a design detail. The garment is finished with a three-needle bind-off at the shoulders, a technique that creates a strong, flexible seam.

Short rows are incorporated into the pattern to shape the shoulders and front neckline, adding sophistication to the fit. The pattern notes indicate that longer circular needles are used for the body to accommodate the larger circumference, while shorter needles are used for the ribbed cuffs and neckband.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Etch is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric. This is contrasted with textured stitches that add visual and tactile interest to the design. The pattern incorporates short-row shaping, indicated by wrap-and-turn abbreviations (w&t), which allows for three-dimensional contouring without excessive seaming. Slipped stitch selvedges are used along the armhole edges where sleeves are set in, creating a polished, intentional finish that becomes a visible design feature.

Materials and Yarn

The Etch is designed to be worked with two yarns held together throughout the entire project. The pattern calls for Shibui Linen, a 100% linen yarn with 246 yards per 50-gram skein, and Shibui Cima, a blend of 70% superbaby alpaca and 30% fine merino with 328 yards per 50-gram skein. One strand of each yarn is held together to create a lightweight, breathable fabric with excellent drape and subtle sheen.

Yardage requirements vary by size: the XS, S, and M sizes require 4 skeins of Linen and 3 skeins of Cima, while the L and XL sizes require 5 skeins of Linen and 4 skeins of Cima. The sample shown was knit in Ash (Linen) and Fog (Cima) colorways. The combination of linen's structure and breathability with alpaca and merino's softness and elasticity creates a comfortable, durable garment suitable for warm-weather wear.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires multiple needle sizes to accommodate different sections of the garment. Size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles in both 16-inch and 32-inch lengths are used for the ribbed cuffs, neckband, and initial cast-on. Size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles in 32-inch length are used for the main body and sleeves, with a spare size 7 needle reserved for the three-needle bind-off at the shoulders. Double-pointed needles are optional for sleeve construction if the knitter prefers not to use the magic loop method on circular needles.

Additional tools include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and construction points, stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches during the divided front and back sections, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and seaming details.

Skill Level and Gauge

The Etch is classified as an Intermediatelevel pattern, suitable for knitters with experience in circular knitting, shaping techniques, and pattern reading. The required gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch after blocking, worked with one strand each of Linen and Cima held together on size 7 needles. Achieving proper gauge