String Margo Pullover Jumper Knitting Pattern

String Margo Pullover: Top-Down Knit Sweater

What is Being Made

The Margo Pullover is a classic crew-neck sweater designed by Lidia Karabinech and produced by String. This garment is knitted in the round from the top down, creating a seamless construction. The pullover features a relaxed, modern fit available in two size ranges: S/M with a lower edge width of 53 inches (134.5 cm) and length of 22¼ inches (56.5 cm), and L/XL with a lower edge width of 60 inches (152.5 cm) and length of 24¼ inches (61.5 cm). The sweater includes set-in sleeves and a ribbed cuff and hem for a finished appearance.

Techniques Used

This pullover employs top-down construction, a popular method that allows knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and easily adjust length before binding off. The sweater is worked in the round using circular needles, which eliminates the need for seaming the body and creates a continuous, seamless fabric. The pattern incorporates German short rows, a specialized technique used to shape the shoulders and back neck without wrapping stitches—instead, the yarn is lifted over the needle top when turning to create invisible decreases and increases.

The construction divides into separate sections: the yoke is worked continuously in the round, then stitches are divided to separate the body from the sleeves. The body continues on the main circular needle while sleeve stitches are placed on thread holders to be worked later. This modular approach is characteristic of modern top-down sweater design.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – The primary stitch used throughout the body and sleeves, created by knitting all rounds when working in the round, or alternating knit rows (right side) and purl rows (wrong side) when working flat. This stitch produces the classic smooth, V-textured fabric.
• 1x1 Ribbing – Used for the cuffs, hem, and neckline ribbing. This stitch alternates single knit and purl stitches in each round, creating vertical columns that provide stretch and recovery, keeping the garment fitted at the edges.
• Make One (m1) – An invisible increase technique used throughout the yoke shaping to gradually expand the stitch count as the sweater widens from the neckline down to the shoulders and body.

Materials and Gauge

The Margo Pullover is knitted with String ZURICH yarn, a luxury blend of 70% cashmere and 30% merino wool. This high-quality fiber combination provides softness, warmth, and breathability. The yarn is supplied in balls of 1.75 ounces (50 grams) with 77 yards (71 meters) per ball. The color specified in this pattern is mushroom (color 200008), a neutral, versatile shade.

The pattern requires 10 balls for size S/M and 12 balls for size L/XL, totaling approximately 770 yards (710 meters) for the smaller size and 924 yards (852 meters) for the larger size.

Two US 13 (9mm) circular needles are used: one 32-inch (80 cm) needle for working the body in the round, and one 16-inch (40 cm) needle for the ribbed sections. Additional supplies include stitch markers to denote the beginning of rounds and pattern sections, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming sleeves if needed.

The gauge is 11 stitches and 17 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished measurements match the pattern specifications and that the yarn and needle combination produce the correct fabric density.

Pattern Structure and Shaping

The pattern begins with a cast-on at the neckline and uses a series of strategic increase rounds to shape the yoke. The increases are distributed using make-one techniques, with different spacing in each increase round to create a gradual, proportional expansion. After the yoke shaping is complete, the pattern divides the stitches: the body continues on the main circular needle while sleeve stitches are held on thread for later completion. The body is then worked even in stockinette stitch before finishing with 1x1 ribbing and binding off. The sleeves are worked separately from the held stitches, following the same general construction principles.