Shibui Knits Mix No. 21 Jumper Knitting Pattern

Shibui Knits Mix No. 21 Sweater

What is Being Made

Shibui Knits Mix No. 21 is a pullover sweater designed by Lidia Tsymbal. This garment features a distinctive construction method and silhouette, with a slightly lengthened back that creates a contemporary, of-the-moment aesthetic. The sweater is available in eight sizes, ranging from XXS to 3X, with finished bust circumferences from 39.5 to 56.5 inches.

Construction and Techniques

This pullover employs a unique side-to-side construction method, meaning the sweater is knit horizontally from the left side seam to the right side seam rather than in the traditional top-down or bottom-up approach. The garment is worked flat on needles rather than in continuous rounds, which allows for the distinctive side-to-side shaping.

The sweater uses a provisional cast-on technique to begin the body. This method involves using waste yarn and a crochet hook to create temporary stitches that can be released later, allowing live stitches to be picked up and worked in the opposite direction. This technique is essential for the side-to-side construction, as it enables seamless joining of pieces.

Pieces are joined using the 3-needle bind-off method, a technique that binds off two sets of live stitches together simultaneously while creating a seam. This method involves holding two needles with right sides together and using a third needle to knit corresponding stitches from both needles together, then passing stitches over to bind off, creating a strong, finished seam without the need for additional sewing.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern throughout the sweater is 1×1 ribbing, a fundamental knit stitch combination that alternates single knit stitches with single purl stitches. This rib stitch provides luxurious stretch and beautiful drape, essential qualities for a pullover sweater. The ribbed fabric creates the rich texture and silken sheen characteristic of the finished garment.

Materials and Tools

The sweater is knit using Shibui Staccato yarn, a premium blend of 70% superwash merino and 30% silk. Each skein contains 191 yards and weighs 50 grams. Depending on the size, the project requires between 9 and 14 skeins of yarn.

Two strands of Staccato are held together throughout the entire project, doubling the yarn weight and creating a substantial fabric. This doubled-strand technique contributes to the luxurious feel and appearance of the finished sweater.

The required tools include Size 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles measuring 16 inches in length, and Size 6 (4 mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches or longer. A spare Size 6 needle is needed for the 3-needle bind-off technique. A row counter is optional but helpful for tracking progress through the pattern.

Gauge and Skill Level

The pattern specifies a gauge of 19 stitches and 28 rows equaling 4 inches in 1×1 rib on the larger needles with two strands of Staccato held together, measured after blocking. This gauge is achieved with the Size 6 needles and the doubled yarn.

The skill level for this project is rated as Easy, making it accessible to knitters with basic to intermediate experience. While the side-to-side construction and provisional cast-on techniques may be unfamiliar to some knitters, the straightforward 1×1 rib stitch and clear instructions make this an achievable project for those willing to learn these techniques.