String Portia Hi-Lo Pullover Jumper Knitting Pattern

String Portia Hi-Lo Pullover

What Is Being Made

The String Portia Hi-Lo Pullover is a women's knitted sweater designed by Lidia Karabinech. This pullover features a distinctive hi-lo silhouette with a shorter front length of 21 inches at the shoulder and a longer back length of 23 inches at the shoulder, creating an asymmetrical hemline. The sweater is available in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and XL, with bust measurements ranging from 39½ inches to 53 inches.

Techniques Used

This pullover is constructed using a bottom-up seamed approach, meaning the pieces are knitted from the lower edge upward and then sewn together. The garment is worked flat on straight needles for the body and sleeves, with the exception of the ribbed cuff and neckline details, which are worked in the round using a circular needle. The pattern incorporates short-row shaping to create the distinctive hi-lo front and back length difference, with short rows worked at the shoulders to add depth and shaping to the garment.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch pattern throughout the sweater body and sleeves, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic knit fabric.
• Left Lifted Increase (LLI): A decorative increase technique used to shape the garment, created by pulling up the knit stitch from below the stitch just knitted and knitting it through the back loop.
• Right Lifted Increase (RLI): A complementary increase technique that pulls up the knit stitch below the first stitch on the left needle and knits it, used for balanced shaping.
• Short-row shaping with wrap and turn (w&t): An advanced technique that creates the hi-lo effect by working partial rows with wrapped stitches, allowing the front and back to have different lengths without cutting the yarn.

Materials

The String Portia Hi-Lo Pullover is knitted with STRING DOLCETTO yarn, a luxurious blend of 70% Merino wool and 30% cashmere. The yardage requirement is 6 to 9 balls depending on size, with each ball weighing 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and containing 136 yards (125 meters). The sample shown is worked in color 201111, described as cotton candy. Knitters will need size 9 (5.5mm) straight needles for the main fabric and a size 8 (5mm) circular needle measuring 16 inches long for ribbed edges and neckline work. Additional supplies include stitch holders and a yarn needle for seaming and finishing.

Gauge and Construction Notes

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch using the larger needles after blocking. Knitters are advised to take time to check gauge before beginning the project to ensure proper fit. The sleeve construction includes cuff shaping that increases to 16 stitches, with sleeve lengths varying from 5¾ inches in the Small size to 8¾ inches in the XL size. Short-row shaping instructions are provided separately for each size to accommodate the different bust measurements and create the proper hi-lo proportions.