Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Andrea Pullover Knitting Pattern

Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Andrea Pullover

What is Being Made

The Andrea Pullover is a knitted pullover sweater designed by Teresa Chorzepa. This intermediate-level garment is a classic crew-neck pullover available in four sizes: Small (bust 35"/89cm), Medium (37½"/95.5cm), Large (41"/104cm), and Extra Large (45"/114.5cm). The finished length ranges from 21½"/54.5cm in the smallest size to 23"/58.5cm in the largest size. This pullover features a front zipper detail, making it a practical and stylish layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Construction Techniques

The Andrea Pullover is worked flat on straight needles and constructed using the bottom-up seamed method. This approach means the knitter begins by casting on stitches for the back piece at the lower edge and works upward toward the shoulders, then repeats the process for the front piece. Once both the back and front panels are complete, they are seamed together at the sides and shoulders using a yarn needle. The zipper is sewn into the front opening, measuring 8"/20cm in length, adding both functional and design elements to the finished garment.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The primary stitch used throughout the Andrea Pullover is Reverse Stockinette Stitch (Rev St st), which creates a textured, bumpy surface on the right side of the fabric. This stitch is achieved by purling on the right side and knitting on the wrong side. The pattern specifies working through the back loop (tbl), which adds definition and prevents the fabric from appearing loose or stretched.

The garment begins with a K1, P1 Ribbing at the lower edge, worked for 15 rows. Ribbing alternates knit and purl stitches in a single-stitch pattern, creating an elastic, fitted edge that helps the sweater maintain its shape at the hem and prevents rolling.

Additional stitch techniques employed include:

• K2tog (Knit 2 Together) – a right-leaning decrease used to shape the armholes and shoulders
• Ssk (Slip, Slip, Knit) – a left-leaning decrease that pairs with K2tog for balanced shaping
• M1 (Make 1) – an increase worked by lifting the strand between stitches and working through the back loop to prevent holes
• M1p (Make 1 Purlwise) – a purlwise version of the increase, inserting the needle under a loop two rows below the last stitch worked

Shaping is accomplished through strategic bind-offs at the armholes and shoulders, combined with decreases worked on right-side rows to create smooth, fitted armhole curves.

Materials and Tools

The Andrea Pullover is knitted using Stacy Charles Fine Yarns TINA, a premium yarn blend composed of 90% extra fine merino and 10% polyamide. This fiber composition provides softness, breathability, and durability. The pattern requires 7 to 10 balls of yarn depending on size, with each ball weighing 1.75oz/50g and containing 165 yards/154 meters of yardage.

Knitting is worked on US size 7 (4.5mm) needles, or the size needed to achieve the correct gauge. The pattern calls for a gauge of 19 stitches and 27 rows over 4"/10cm in Reverse Stockinette Stitch through the back loop. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the finished garment to match the intended measurements.

Additional materials and notions required include stitch markers to denote pattern repeats and shaping points, stitch holders to temporarily secure stitches during construction, one 8"/20cm zipper for the front opening, and a yarn needle for seaming pieces together and weaving in yarn ends.