Tahki Yarns Barre Pullover Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Barre Pullover

What Is Being Made

The Barre Pullover is an intermediate-level knitted sweater designed by Susan Baron. This pullover is available in eight sizes ranging from X-Small to 4X, with finished bust measurements from 35½ inches to 60½ inches. The garment is designed with 2–4 inches of positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Techniques Used

This pullover is constructed using several advanced knitting techniques that create visual interest and structure:

• Bottom-up construction: The sweater is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing for easy adjustments to length during the knitting process.
• Worked flat: The body and sleeves are knitted on straight needles in flat pieces rather than in the round, then seamed together for a finished garment.
• Seamed construction: Individual pieces are joined using a yarn needle to create the complete pullover.
• Cable patterns: Decorative cable stitches are incorporated throughout the design, adding texture and dimension to the garment.
• Intarsia: Color work is included in the design, allowing for detailed pattern integration using multiple yarn colors.
• Waist shaping: Strategic decreases and increases create a fitted waist, with shaping worked at regular intervals to achieve a flattering silhouette.

Stitches Used

The Barre Pullover employs a variety of knitting stitches to create its structure and pattern:

• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch used for the main body of the sweater, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric.
• Ribbing: Knit 2, purl 2 (k2, p2) ribbing is used at the cuffs and hem to create stretchy, fitted edges that hold the garment close to the body.
• Cable stitches: Complex cable patterns are worked using techniques such as slip, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over (sk2p) and knit through back loop (k1 tbl) to create twisted, raised textures.
• Decreases: Slip, slip, knit (ssk) and knit 2 together (k2tog) decreases are used for waist shaping and cable pattern definition.
• Make 1 increases: M1L (make 1 left) increases are incorporated into the cable pattern rows to maintain stitch count while creating the cable structure.
• Purl stitches: Purl stitches are used throughout to frame cable patterns and create contrast with stockinette sections.

Materials

The Barre Pullover is knitted using quality yarn and appropriately sized needles to achieve the correct gauge:

• Yarn: Tahki Yarns VERMONT, a blend of 50% merino wool and 50% alpaca. The main color is #06 Pebble, with 8–15 balls required depending on size (each ball weighs 1.75 ounces and contains 93 yards). Tahki Yarns VERMONT color #115 Light Grey is used for intarsia color work, requiring 3–6 balls depending on size.
• Needles: One pair of size 8 (5mm) needles for the main fabric and one pair of size 7 (4mm) needles for ribbing. A size 7 (4mm) circular needle or double-pointed needles measuring 16 inches are used for finishing details such as neckbands or cuffs.
• Notions: Stitch markers to track pattern repeats and a yarn needle for seaming pieces together and weaving in ends.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch using the smaller needle size and main color yarn. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit and finished measurements. The pullover is designed with positive ease, meaning the finished bust measurement is 2–4 inches larger than actual body measurements for comfortable wear.