String Kelly Pullover Jumper Knitting Pattern

String Kelly Pullover: Intermediate Knit Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Kelly Pullover is a classic crewneck sweater designed by Lidia Karabinech. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted pullover available in four sizes: Small (bust 37"/94 cm), Medium (41"/104 cm), Large (45"/114 cm), and Extra Large (49"/124.5 cm). The finished length to shoulder ranges from 23 to 24.5 inches depending on size, making it a standard adult pullover proportioned for comfortable everyday wear.

Construction Techniques

The Kelly Pullover uses a bottom-up seamed construction, meaning the garment pieces are knitted separately from the lower edges upward, then sewn together. The body and sleeves are worked flat on straight needles, creating individual panels that are later joined. Specific shaping includes raglan armhole decreases that create the characteristic sloped shoulder line typical of raglan-style sweaters. The decreases are worked strategically every four rows to achieve proper fit and silhouette.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

This pattern employs several essential knitting stitches and techniques:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – The primary fabric throughout the body and sleeves, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing the classic smooth V-textured knit fabric
• K2/P2 Rib – A 2-by-2 ribbed pattern worked over a 4-stitch repeat plus 2 edge stitches, used for the lower ribbing to create stretch and structure at the hem
• Waffle Stitch – An optional textured stitch pattern worked over an odd number of stitches using alternating knit and purl columns
• Decreases – The pattern uses K2tog (knit 2 together), P2tog (purl 2 together), and specialized double decreases (RDD and LDD) to shape the raglan armholes symmetrically

Materials and Yarn

The Kelly Pullover is designed to be knitted with String TURIN, a luxury yarn composed of 95% cashmere and 5% wool. This premium blend creates a soft, breathable fabric with excellent drape and warmth. The main color is 210 Olive Tweed (Yarn A), with yardage requirements of 7 balls for size Small, 8 balls for Medium, 9 balls for Large, and 10 balls for Extra Large. Each ball contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and yields 122 yards (112 meters). An accent color, 214 Sunset (Yarn B), is used minimally at 1 ball, allowing for subtle color work or contrast details.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern calls for US size 9 (5.5mm) needles in both straight and circular formats. A 16-inch (40 cm) circular needle is specified for certain sections. The required gauge is 16 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential before beginning, as it directly affects the final garment measurements and fit. The pattern emphasizes checking gauge to ensure the finished sweater matches the intended dimensions.

Additional Supplies

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires stitch holders to temporarily secure stitches during construction, stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping points, and a yarn needle for seaming the finished pieces together and weaving in ends.