Swans Island Peaks Island Pullover Jumper Knitting Pattern

Swans Island Peaks Island Pullover

What Is Being Made

The Peaks Island Pullover is an intermediate-level women's pullover sweater designed by Quenna Leete. This versatile garment is available in seven sizes ranging from Extra Small to 3X-Large, with finished bust measurements from 30¼ inches to 54¼ inches and length options from 24 inches to 27 inches. The pullover shown in the pattern is knitted in size Small and features a classic, timeless design suitable for everyday wear.

Techniques Used

The Peaks Island Pullover is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create a professional, finished garment:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The sweater is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the garment during the process and adjust length as needed.
• Seamless, Worked in the Round: The body and sleeves are worked in continuous rounds using circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a smooth, polished finish.
• Wrap and Turn Shaping: Short rows are incorporated using the wrap and turn technique to create shaping in the yoke and shoulders, allowing for a custom fit across the upper body.
• Decrease and Increase Techniques: The pattern employs standard decreases (ssk and k2tog) and increases (kfb) to shape the armholes, neckline, and sleeve caps.

Stitches Used

The Peaks Island Pullover features two primary stitch patterns that work together to create visual interest and texture:

• Stockinette Stitch: This is the main stitch used throughout most of the garment. In circular knitting, stockinette stitch is created by knitting every round, producing the classic smooth, V-shaped fabric that is the foundation of this pullover.
• Garter Stitch (Circular): Worked in the round by alternating knit and purl rounds, garter stitch appears in the pattern and provides a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges.
• Slipped Stitch: Using a multiple of 2 stitches, slipped stitch creates subtle texture and is used in specific sections of the design. The pattern includes detailed instructions for working wraps together with their stitches to maintain pattern continuity.

Materials and Gauge

The Peaks Island Pullover is designed to be knitted with high-quality natural fibers and specific gauge requirements:

Yarn: The main body is worked using Swans Island Natural Colors Collection 100% organic merino wool in worsted weight. Each skein contains 100 grams and 250 yards. The pattern calls for 5 to 7 skeins depending on size, with the colorway shown being Logwood (YW218). An additional contrast color accent is included using Swans Island Natural Colors Collection fingeringweight (100 grams, 525 yards), shown in Wheat (YF151).

Needles: The pattern requires three sizes of circular needles and double-pointed needles to achieve proper gauge and fit:

• US size 8 (5mm) 29-inch circular needle and double-pointed needles for the main fabric
• US size 7 (4.5mm) 29-inch circular needle for ribbing or transition sections
• US size 5 (3.75mm) needles for finer details, or sizes as needed to obtain gauge

Gauge: Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit. The pattern specifies 4½ stitches and 6¾ rounds equal 1 inch in stockinette stitch with the largest needles. For slipped stitch sections, the gauge is 4¾ stitches and 11 rows per 1 inch with the largest needles. Knitters are advised to swatch and check gauge before beginning the project.

Additional Notions: The pattern requires two ¾-inch buttons, stitch markers, stitch holders, and a yarn needle for finishing and weaving in ends.