Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Esther Pullover Knitting Pattern

Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Esther Pullover

What Is Being Made

The Esther Pullover is a classic knitted sweater designed by Rosemary Drysdale. This pullover is available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 39½ inches (98 cm) to 60 inches (152.5 cm) and lengths from 22½ inches (57 cm) to 26 inches (66 cm). The garment is rated as an easy-level knitting project, making it accessible to knitters with basic to intermediate skills.

Techniques Used

The Esther Pullover employs several fundamental knitting techniques to construct a well-fitted, professional-looking garment:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The sweater is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing for easy fitting adjustments and try-ons during the knitting process.
• Worked Flat: The body and sleeves are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in continuous rounds, then seamed together at the sides and sleeves.
• Seamed Assembly: Pieces are joined using the three-needle bind-off technique, which creates a secure seam while simultaneously binding off the final stitches of two pieces.
• Worked in the Round: The neckband is worked in the round using a circular needle for a seamless, finished neck edge.
• Armhole Shaping: The pattern includes strategic bind-offs and decreases at the armholes to create a properly fitted sleeve cap and garment silhouette.

Stitches Used

The Esther Pullover utilizes a combination of fundamental knitting stitches to create texture and structure:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used throughout most of the sweater body, creating a smooth, classic fabric with a flat appearance on the right side and bumpy texture on the wrong side.
• Seed Stitch: An alternating pattern of knit and purl stitches that creates a textured, bumpy fabric. In the Esther Pullover, seed stitch is worked in 5-row repeats, alternating with 5-row sections of stockinette stitch to add visual interest and subtle texture variation.
• Decreases: The pattern includes ssk (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog (knit two together) decreases for shaping the armholes and achieving proper fit.
• Bind-Off Stitches: Standard bind-off techniques secure the edges, with the three-needle bind-off used for seaming pieces together.

Materials and Gauge

The Esther Pullover is designed to be knitted with Stacy Charles Fine Yarns GEMMA, a blend of sustainable fibers. The yarn composition includes 63% recycled cotton, 27% recycled polyester, and 10% polyamide, making this an environmentally conscious choice for knitters. Each ball weighs 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and provides 137 yards (125 meters) of yardage. The pattern requires 8 to 13 balls depending on the size being knitted, with larger sizes requiring additional yardage.

The Esther Pullover is worked on size 8 (5mm) needles to achieve the correct gauge. Knitters should obtain a gauge of 18 stitches and 25 rows over the pattern stitch repeat. A pair of size 8 (5mm) straight needles is used for the body and sleeves, while a 24-inch (60 cm) size 8 (5mm) circular needle is required for the neckband. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together.

It is essential to check gauge before beginning the project to ensure proper fit and finished measurements. The pattern color shown is #239 rose gold, a warm neutral tone that complements the recycled fiber blend.