Shibui Knits Grain Jumper Knitting Pattern

Shibui Knits Grain - Monochrome Collection Knit Sweater

What is Being Made

The Grain is a double-stranded pullover sweater designed by Kirsten Johnstone that celebrates luxury fiber blends. This wardrobe staple features a sophisticated boatneck collarline, lengthened and curved back hem, and is constructed with inside-out seaming for beautiful visible detail. The sweater is available in sizes XS through XL with finished bust circumferences ranging from 41 to 49.5 inches, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for both weekend wear and everyday styling.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knit sweater employs several advanced construction techniques. The pullover is worked flat in four separate pieces from the bottom up, which allows for controlled shaping and seaming. The design features inside-out seaming that displays the construction as a design element rather than hiding it. Reverse stockinette stitch is used as the exposed right side of the fabric, creating a subtle textured appearance. The sleeves incorporate wrapped short rows worked in reverse stockinette, a technique that creates shaping without visible gaps. The cuffs are split and worked flat before being continued in the round, with the wrong (knit) side facing outward to maintain the reverse stockinette aesthetic when the sleeve is turned.

Stitches Used

• Reverse Stockinette Stitch (Rev St st) - The primary stitch throughout the sweater, used for both flat pieces and the main fabric
• Wrapped Short Rows (w&t) - Used in the sleeve caps to create gradual shaping while maintaining stitch integrity
• Stockinette Stitch - Used on the wrong side during construction, which becomes the visible reverse stockinette on the right side

Materials and Tools

The Grain is knit using a luxurious two-strand yarn combination held together throughout the entire project. Shibui Baby Alpaca (100% baby alpaca, 255 yards per 100 grams) is held together with Shibui Pebble (48% recycled silk, 36% fine merino, 16% cashmere, 224 yards per 25 grams). Yardage requirements are 5 to 6 skeins of Baby Alpaca and 5 to 7 skeins of Pebble depending on size. The pattern shown is worked in the Abyss colorway.

Essential tools include Size 8 (5 mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches long to accommodate the large stitch counts, Size 8 (5 mm) double-pointed needles for sleeve shaping, stitch markers in two colors (designated A and B) for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, a tapestry needle for seaming and finishing, and an optional row counter for tracking the wrapped short row sequences.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 17 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in reverse stockinette stitch after blocking, measured with one strand of Baby Alpaca and one strand of Pebble held together. The model pictured is 5 feet 10 inches tall wearing a Size S with 10.75 inches of positive ease. Finished dimensions include bust circumferences of 41, 42.75, 44.75, 46.5, and 49.5 inches, with lengths from back neck measuring 28.25 to 29.75 inches depending on size.