Shibui Knits Savanna Jumper Knitting Pattern

Shibui Knits Savanna A-Line Pullover

What Is Being Made

The Savanna is a women's A-line pullover sweater designed by Shellie Anderson. This versatile knitting pattern offers three distinct versions: a sleeveless shell, a short-sleeved tee, and a long-sleeved pullover. The garment features crisp, open fabric with dramatic A-line shaping that creates an easy, comfortable fit. Available in seven sizes ranging from XS to XXL to fit bust circumferences from 32.5 inches to 48.5 inches, the Savanna is designed as a quick-to-knit project suitable for intermediate-level knitters.

Techniques Used

The Savanna employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive silhouette and construction:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is worked flat from the bottom up, beginning with the body and progressing toward the shoulders
• Seamed construction: Pieces are knit separately and then seamed together, allowing for precise shaping and finishing
• A-line shaping: Strategic decreases positioned at the side seams create the dramatic A-line silhouette that defines this design
• Sloped bind-off: Used throughout the pattern for refined edge finishing
• German twisted cast-on: Employed for a secure, elastic foundation edge
• Slipped stitch edging: Applied at the armholes on the sleeveless shell version for a polished finish
• Set-in sleeves: Available sleeve options are knit flat and then set into the armholes with seaming for a tailored appearance

Stitches Used

The Savanna pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches to create its characteristic open, crisp fabric:

• Stockinette stitch (St st): The primary stitch throughout the garment, creating a smooth, flat fabric with a distinctive V-pattern texture
• Reverse stockinette stitch: Featured as the hem edging on the body, providing textural contrast and definition at the lower edge
• Garter stitch ridge (GSR): Used as a decorative and structural element in shaping

Materials and Tools

The Savanna is designed to be worked with Shibui Knits Rain, a 100% cotton yarn. Rain is offered in multiple colorways, with the pattern shown in Shore for the shell version and Bone for the tee version. Yardage requirements vary by size and version: the shell requires 4 to 6 skeins (540 to 810 yards), the tee requires 5 to 8 skeins (675 to 1,080 yards), and the pullover requires 7 to 9 skeins (945 to 1,215 yards), with each skein containing 135 yards at 50 grams.

Knitting is worked on size 9 (5.5 mm) needles or the size required to achieve the specified gauge. Additional tools include stitch holders for managing stitches during construction and a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends. The pattern specifies a gauge of 17 stitches and 23 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch after blocking when using one strand of Rain yarn.

Pattern Details and Finished Dimensions

The Savanna is designed with generous ease, with the model (5 feet 9 inches tall) wearing a size S with 3 inches of positive ease. Finished bust circumferences range from 35.25 inches (XS) to 51.25 inches (XXL). The back length from shoulder measures between 26.75 and 28.5 inches depending on size. The pattern is rated as intermediate skill level, making it accessible to knitters with foundational knowledge of shaping and seaming techniques.