String Alana Pullover Jumper Knitting Pattern

String Alana Pullover

What is Being Made

The Alana Pullover is a classic crewneck sweater designed by Lidia Karabinech for String Yarns. This pullover features a sophisticated two-color colorblock design that combines a main color with a contrasting color in horizontal stripes. The garment is available in four sizes: Small (Medium, Large, Extra Large), with finished bust measurements ranging from 36 inches to 49 inches and length measurements from 22 to 24 inches. The sample shown is knitted in size Medium.

Techniques Used

The Alana Pullover is worked flat on straight needles and then seamed, making it an ideal project for knitters who prefer working back and forth rather than in the round. The construction method involves several intermediate-level techniques:

• Short-row shaping is used to shape the shoulders, creating a more fitted and professional finish at the neckline
• Color work is incorporated through stranded knitting, where the unused yarn is carried up along the side of the body rather than being cut between color changes, reducing bulk and creating a cleaner interior finish
• Picked-up stitches are used for the neckband, which is worked in the round on a circular needle after the body pieces are complete
• Seaming joins the front and back panels and attaches the sleeves to create the finished garment

Stitches Used

The pattern employs two primary stitch patterns:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) forms the main fabric of the pullover, created by knitting all stitches on right-side rows and purling all stitches on wrong-side rows. This creates the classic smooth, V-textured fabric that is the foundation of the sweater
• K1, P1 Ribbing is used for the lower edge and neckband, alternating knit and purl stitches to create an elastic, fitted edge that helps the garment hold its shape

The pattern includes a Knitted Cast-On method for adding stitches at the armholes, and M1L (Make 1 Left) increases, which are created by lifting the strand between needles and working through the back loop to prevent holes in the fabric.

Materials

The Alana Pullover is knitted with premium yarn and appropriately sized needles:

• Yarn: String BREEZE, a luxury blend of 60% cotton, 20% cashmere, and 20% silk. The main color (MC) requires 5 to 7 balls depending on size, while the contrasting color (CC) requires 3 to 4 balls. Each ball weighs 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and contains 136 yards (125 meters). The sample is worked in color #200073 pewter for the main color and color #300217 pearl for the contrasting color
• Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) straight needles for working the body flat, plus a US 7 (4.5mm) circular needle measuring 16 inches (40 centimeters) long for the neckband
• Notions: Stitch holders, stitch markers, and a yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends

Gauge and Construction Details

The pattern is designed to be worked at a gauge of 19 stitches and 27 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in Stockinette stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished measurements match the intended design. The pullover begins with a ribbed cuff worked for 13 rows, followed by the colorblock design where the main and contrasting colors are worked in horizontal stripes. The armholes are shaped using a Knitted Cast-On method, and the shoulders are carefully shaped with short-rows for a professional fit. The neckband is completed by picking up stitches around the neck edge and working in K1, P1 Ribbing in the round.