String Ava Top Jumper Knitting Pattern

String Ava Top: Knitted Merino-Cashmere Pullover with Cable Details

What Is Being Made

The Ava Top is a fitted pullover sweater designed by Vera Keller for String. This garment is a versatile layering piece available in five sizes ranging from XS to XL, with finished bust measurements from 40½ inches (103 cm) to 56½ inches (143.5 cm) and lengths from 19¼ inches (49 cm) to 24¼ inches (61.5 cm). The design showcases a sophisticated cable panel as its focal point, making it an elegant choice for both casual and dressed-up occasions.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Ava Top employs multiple construction techniques to achieve its polished appearance. The garment is worked in the round for the body and sleeves, which creates seamless construction and efficient knitting. The cable panel is worked flat in rows, allowing for precise stitch manipulation and detailed patterning before being integrated into the circular construction. The pattern uses a bottom-up construction method, meaning knitters begin at the lower edge and work upward toward the neckline. This approach provides flexibility for adjusting length during the knitting process. The sweater is finished with a Three-Needle Bind-Off technique, which joins two pieces together while simultaneously binding off, creating a strong, neat seam ideal for shoulder closure.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Ava Top features several key stitch elements that create its visual interest and structure:

• Seed Stitch: The main fabric is worked in Seed Stitch, a fundamental textured pattern created by alternating knit and purl stitches. This stitch produces a balanced, reversible fabric with excellent drape and visual texture, measuring 20 stitches and 25 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) on the larger needle.
• Cable Stitches: The design features an elaborate 68-stitch cable panel measuring 11½ inches (29 cm) wide. This panel incorporates multiple cable crossing techniques using a cable needle, including complex maneuvers such as slipping stitches to hold in back or front, then knitting across to create the characteristic twisted rope effect of cables. The cable panel alternates between stockinette sections (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows) and seed stitch sections, creating visual contrast and dimensional texture.
• Increase Stitches: The pattern uses two directional increase methods—M1L (Make 1 Left) and M1R (Make 1 Right)—which are worked by lifting the strand between stitches and working through the back loop to prevent holes. These increases are essential for shaping the garment while maintaining pattern integrity.
• Decrease Stitches: K2tog (Knit 2 Together) decreases are used for shaping and decreasing stitch counts as needed throughout the pattern.

Materials and Tools Required

The Ava Top is designed to be knitted with premium yarn and specific needles to achieve the correct gauge and fabric characteristics:

• Yarn: String DOLCETTO DK, a luxury blend of 70% merino wool and 30% cashmere. This composition provides warmth, breathability, and a luxurious soft hand. The yarn is supplied in 50-gram skeins with 206 yards (187 meters) per skein. Depending on size, the project requires 6 to 9 skeins in the color #201023 marine blue.
• Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needle, 24 inches (60 mm) long, used for ribbed edgings and initial cast-on. US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle, 24 inches (60 mm) long, used for the main body knitting. A spare US 7 (4.5 mm) needle is required for the Three-Needle Bind-Off technique.
• Additional Tools: Stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, a cable needle for manipulating cable stitches, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and any finishing work.

Gauge and Fit Considerations

Achieving the correct gauge is critical for this pattern. The Seed Stitch fabric should measure 20 stitches and 25 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) when worked on the larger US 7 (4.5 mm) needle. The cable panel, when worked to pattern, measures 11½ inches (