String Anna Pullover Jumper Knitting Pattern

String Anna Pullover: Knitted Cable Sweater

What is Being Made

The String Anna Pullover is a crewneck pullover sweater designed by Lidia Karabinech. This garment is available in four sizes: Small (Medium, Large, Extra Large) with finished bust measurements ranging from 37 inches to 47 inches and a length to shoulder of 23 inches. The pullover features a sophisticated cable pattern and is constructed using a premium yarn blend.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Anna Pullover is knitted bottom-up using a combination of circular and flat knitting techniques. The body is worked in the round to the armholes using a 32-inch circular needle, then switched to flat knitting in rows for the upper body. The sleeves are worked flat and later seamed to the body. The neckband is picked up from the finished body and knitted in the round using a 16-inch circular needle to create a finished edge.

This hybrid construction method—combining in-the-round and flat knitting—allows for efficient body shaping while maintaining the structural integrity of cable patterns that are easier to execute in flat knitting.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pullover showcases two primary stitch patterns:

• 2x2 Rib: A classic ribbed pattern using alternating knit and purl stitches in a 2-by-2 repeat. The rib is worked for 12 rounds at the cast-on edge to create the lower body edge, and again for the neckband. This elastic stitch provides structure and helps the garment conform to the body.
• Airy Cables: The signature pattern for the body features a cable motif worked over a multiple of 9 stitches. This pattern includes cable crosses executed with a cable needle, creating dimensional twisted stitches. The Airy Cables pattern incorporates strategic yarn overs that are dropped 10 rows later, adding an openwork quality to the cable design. The pattern works identically whether knitted in the round or flat, offering design flexibility.

The cable technique involves slipping stitches to a cable needle and holding them to the front or back of the work while knitting subsequent stitches, then working the held stitches to create the characteristic twisted cable effect.

Materials and Gauge

The Anna Pullover is knitted using String BREEZE yarn, a luxurious blend of 20% cashmere, 20% silk, and 60% cotton. This fiber composition creates a soft, breathable fabric with excellent drape. The yarn is supplied in 1.75-ounce (50-gram) balls, each containing 136 yards (125 meters). Pattern requirements range from 10 balls for size Small to 13 balls for size Extra Large, depending on the finished garment size.

Needles required include a US 8 (5mm) circular needle in 32-inch length for the body and a US 8 (5mm) circular needle in 16-inch length for the neckband. A cable needle is essential for executing the cable crosses, and six stitch holders are needed to hold stitches during construction.

The recommended gauge is 19 stitches and 23 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in the Airy Cables pattern. Achieving proper gauge is critical for obtaining the correct finished measurements and overall fit of the garment.

Design Notes

An important construction detail: within the Airy Cables pattern, stitch count temporarily increases through yarn overs that are intentionally dropped 10 rows later. These yarn overs are not reflected in the stitch counts provided in the pattern directions or in the sizing specifications, allowing the designer to create textural interest without affecting the overall garment dimensions.