Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Battery Park Pullover & Cowl

Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Battery Park Pullover & Cowl

What is Being Made

This pattern set includes a pullover sweater with a matching cowl, designed by Irina Poludnenko. The Battery Park City Pullover is a classic crew-neck sweater available in seven sizes ranging from X-Small to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 34 inches to 58 inches. The coordinating cowl is worked separately and designed to complement the main garment. This is an ideal project for knitters seeking a complete layered look with both a fitted sweater and an accompanying neck accessory.

Techniques Used

The Battery Park Pullover is worked flat on straight needles using a bottom-up construction method, meaning pieces are knitted starting from the lower edges and working upward toward the shoulders and neckline. The garment features seamed construction, where individual pieces (front, back, and sleeves) are knitted separately and then sewn together to create the finished sweater. The design incorporates horizontal striping throughout, adding visual interest and color variation to the finished piece. The cowl is worked in the round using a circular needle, providing a seamless tubular construction for comfortable wear around the neck.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is Garter Rib, a textured stitch that combines knit and purl stitches in alternation to create a ribbed fabric with subtle horizontal ridges. The pattern instructions specify Garter Rib as a multiple of 2 stitches, worked by alternating knit and purl stitches across each row. Additionally, the pattern employs Twisted Rib for certain sections, which uses twisted knit stitches (knit through the back loop) combined with purl stitches for added texture and elasticity. These stitch patterns are worked in conjunction with a Stripe Pattern that uses alternating colors throughout the garment, creating the distinctive color-blocked effect. The neckband and cowl are worked in the round, utilizing circular needles to maintain continuity in the ribbed stitch patterns.

Materials and Yarn

The Battery Park Pullover is designed to be knitted with Stacy Charles Fine Yarns RITRATTO and Stacy Charles Fine Yarns ADELE, two complementary yarn lines that work together to create the striped colorway. RITRATTO is a luxurious blend of 53% viscose, 28% kid mohair, 10% nylon, and 9% polyester, offering a soft, lustrous finish with excellent drape. ADELE contains 43% viscose, 28% polyester, 20% kid mohair, and 9% polyamide, providing similar qualities with a slightly different fiber composition. Both yarns are available in 1.75-ounce (50-gram) balls with yardage of 198 yards (180 meters) for RITRATTO and 169 yards (155 meters) for ADELE. The color palette includes deep amethyst (RITRATTO #155), midnight blue (RITRATTO #150), amethyst (ADELE #52), and amber (ADELE #55), allowing knitters to create sophisticated striped combinations. Yarn quantities range from 2 to 4 balls of each color depending on the desired size, with larger sizes requiring additional yardage.

Needles and Notions

The pattern calls for size 5 (3.75mm) straight needles for working the main body and sleeves flat, along with one 16-inch (40cm) circular needle in size 5 (3.75mm) for the neckband and one 24-inch (60cm) circular needle in size 5 (3.75mm) for the cowl. The gauge is 22 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches (10cm) in Garter Rib, making accurate gauge checking essential before beginning the project. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping increases, stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches during construction, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together.

Sizing and Finished Measurements

The pattern offers comprehensive sizing options to accommodate a wide range of body types. Finished bust measurements span from 34 inches (86.5cm) for X-Small through 58 inches (147.5cm) for 3X. Garment length ranges from 23¼ inches (59cm) at the smallest size to 27¾ inches (70.5cm) at the largest size, providing appropriate proportions for each size range.