Swans Island Courtney Jumper Knitting Pattern

Swans Island Courtney Knit Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Courtney is a classic knit sweater featuring a bold two-color wide stripe pattern. This garment is available in six sizes ranging from extra small to 2X-large, with finished bust measurements from 33 inches to 53 inches and lengths from 22½ inches to 26½ inches. The sample shown is in size medium. This design combines the timeless appeal of horizontal stripes with modern construction techniques, making it suitable for knitters seeking an intermediate project with striking visual impact.

Construction Method

The Courtney is constructed using a bottom-up, seamed approach worked in flat pieces. The back and front panels are knitted separately from the bottom edge upward, then sewn together at the side seams. Sleeves are picked up between armhole markers and knitted downward to the cuffs, creating clean, finished edges. This method allows for precise shaping and easier gauge adjustments during the knitting process.

Techniques and Stitches Used

This sweater employs several fundamental knitting techniques:

• Stockinette Stitch (Stst): The primary fabric throughout the sweater, created by knitting on the right side and purling on the wrong side, producing the classic smooth, V-patterned knit fabric.
• Garter Stitch: Knit on every row to create a textured, reversible fabric used selectively in the design.
• Two-Color Wide Stripe Pattern: A repeating 48-row pattern alternating between two colors, with 24 consecutive rows in each color. Eight complete stripes are worked across the sweater, with four stripes in each color. This technique creates bold, balanced horizontal bands of color.
• Color Management: Rather than carrying unused yarn up the side seams, each color is cut and left with a 15-inch tail. These tails are later worked in during seaming, ensuring that side and sleeve seams use matching yarn colors for each stripe section.
• Increases and Decreases: The pattern uses standard shaping techniques including m1L (make one left), m1R (make one right), skp (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over), and k2tog (knit two together) for tailored shaping.

Materials and Gauge

The Courtney is designed to be knitted with fingering weight yarn in two colors. The primary color uses Swans Island Natural Colors Collection in 100% Organic Merino Wool (100 grams, 525 yards per skein), with 2 to 3 skeins required depending on size. The contrasting stripe color uses Swans Island Ikat Collection in the same fingering weight and yardage specifications, requiring 1 to 3 skeins based on size.

The pattern calls for US size 3 (3.25mm) 16-inch circular needles for initial cast-on and US size 5 (3.75mm) straight needles for the main body knitting, or whatever size is needed to achieve proper gauge. Additional supplies include stitch holders, stitch markers, a tapestry needle for seaming, and removable stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats.

The target gauge is 7 stitches and 10¼ rows per 1 inch in Stockinette Stitch using the larger needles. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished sweater achieves the intended dimensions and drape.

Yarn and Fiber Content

Both the primary and contrasting colors are crafted from 100% Organic Merino Wool, offering excellent elasticity, breathability, and softness. The fingering weight construction provides a lightweight, versatile fabric suitable for layering or wearing as a standalone piece. The organic Merino fiber naturally regulates temperature and resists odor, making this sweater a durable, sustainable choice for everyday wear.