Shibui Knits Haven Jumper Knitting Pattern

Shibui Knits Haven Dolman Pullover

What is Being Made

The Haven is a contemporary dolman pullover sweater designed by Shellie Anderson. This garment features a boxy, understated silhouette with a calm, centered aesthetic. The pullover is characterized by its soft, fluid fabric and includes side vents for added movement and comfort. The finished bust circumference ranges from 42 to 58 inches across seven size options, making it suitable for a wide range of body types. The back length from shoulder measures between 23.25 and 25 inches depending on size, with the model shown in Size S at 5'9" wearing the garment with approximately 9.5 inches of positive ease.

Knitting Techniques and Construction Method

The Haven is worked flat from the bottom up, a construction method that allows knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and make adjustments as needed. The body is knitted flat on straight needles before being seamed, while the sleeves are formed by casting on stitches directly at the armhole—a technique that eliminates the need for traditional cap shaping. The garter stitch collar and rolled stockinette stitch sleeve edgings are picked up and worked in the round, requiring a transition from flat to circular knitting. This mixed approach combines the simplicity of flat knitting for the main body with the efficiency of circular knitting for finishing details.

Stitches Used

The Haven employs two primary stitch patterns:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): This is the main stitch used throughout the body of the sweater, creating the smooth, fluid fabric characteristic of the design. Stockinette stitch is formed by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side when working flat.
• Garter Stitch: Used for the collar and rolled stockinette stitch sleeve edgings, garter stitch provides a textured, reversible fabric that lies flat and adds visual interest to the neckline and cuff areas.

The pattern also includes a 3-Needle Bind-Off technique, which is used to join two sets of live stitches together while simultaneously binding them off—a method commonly employed for shoulder seams to create a strong, flexible seam.

Materials and Gauge

The Haven is designed to be knitted with two yarn strands held together throughout most of the construction. The primary materials are:

• Shibui Knits Reed: A 100% linen yarn with 246 yards per 50-gram skein. Linen provides breathability, drape, and a natural texture. The pattern requires 4 to 6 skeins depending on size.
• Shibui Knits Cima: A blend of 70% superbaby alpaca and 30% fine merino wool, with 328 yards per 50-gram skein. This yarn adds softness, warmth, and elasticity to the blend. The pattern requires 4 to 5 skeins depending on size.

The recommended gauge is 21 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch after blocking, achieved using size 7 (4.5 mm) needles with one strand of Cima and one strand of Reed held together. A size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needle measuring 16 inches is used for the collar ribbing. The two-strand construction creates a cohesive fabric that balances the cool, breathable qualities of linen with the warmth and elasticity of the alpaca-merino blend.

Skill Level and Pattern Complexity

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle garment construction. The bottom-up, flat-worked approach is more forgiving than top-down construction, and the straightforward stitch patterns—primarily stockinette and garter stitch—keep the focus on shaping and fit rather than complex stitch techniques. Knitters should be comfortable with basic increases and decreases, picking up stitches, and working in both flat and circular formats.