Shibui Knits Holiday Jumper Knitting Pattern

Shibui Knits Holiday Color Blocked Shell/Tee

What is Being Made

The Holiday is a timeless, versatile tunic-style garment available in two versions: a sleeveless Shell or a short-sleeved Tee. Both designs feature a distinctive high-low hemline and a color-blocked yoke that creates visual interest and modern appeal. This garment is designed as a spring staple that can be worn repeatedly and styled in multiple ways. The pattern includes optional sleeves, allowing knitters to customize their finished piece based on preference and season.

Techniques Used

The Holiday employs a combination of knitting techniques to create its unique construction. The vented front and back flaps are worked flat on straight needles, establishing the foundation of the garment. These flat-worked sections are then joined and knit in the round using circular needles, continuing from the armholes to the hem. This hybrid approach combines the precision of flat knitting with the efficiency of circular knitting. The garment is seamed at key points, particularly where sleeves are set in on the Tee version. The construction is bottom-up, meaning knitters begin at the hem and work upward toward the shoulders and neckline. For the color-blocked version, the yoke features contrasting colors that are integrated during the circular knitting phase. The sleeveless Shell features a color contrast finish at the armhole, while the Tee's short sleeves are knit flat in the contrast color before being set in and seamed to the body.

Stitches Used

The Holiday is primarily constructed using stockinette stitch (St st), the foundational stitch that creates the smooth, classic fabric characteristic of this garment. Stockinette stitch is worked consistently throughout both the flat and circular sections, providing a clean canvas for the color blocking design. The pattern includes the use of stitch markers to track pattern repeats and construction points, and stitch holders to temporarily secure stitches during the transition between flat and circular knitting phases.

Materials and Tools

The Holiday is knit using Shibui Knits Fern, a 100% organic cotton yarn that provides a breathable, lightweight fabric ideal for a spring tunic. Yarn requirements vary by size and version: the Shell requires 4 to 5 skeins of Color A and 1 to 2 skeins of Color B (depending on size), while the Tee requires 4 to 5 skeins of Color A and 2 to 3 skeins of Color B. A one-color version is also possible, requiring 5 to 8 skeins depending on size and version.

The pattern calls for Size 4 (3.5 mm) 16-inch circular needles for ribbing and edge work, and two sets of Size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles in 24-inch or 32-inch lengths for the main body knitting. Additional tools include stitch markers, stitch holders, and a tapestry needle for finishing and seaming.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22.5 stitches and 31 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch after blocking, worked with one strand of Fern on size 5 needles. The pattern emphasizes the importance of counting round gauge when making gauge swatches, noting that fewer rounds than stated over 4 inches will result in a longer finished garment. The Holiday is available in seven sizes ranging from XS to XXL, with finished bust circumferences from 36.25 to 52 inches. The pattern is designed with generous ease—the model, wearing a size Small, has approximately 4 inches of ease in the bust and 11 inches of ease in the hip, creating a relaxed, comfortable fit.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as Easy +, making it accessible to knitters with basic experience while introducing slightly more advanced techniques such as working flat and in the round within a single garment and color blocking.