Tahki Yarns Ellis Island V Neck Pullover Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Ellis Island V Neck Pullover

What is Being Made

The Ellis Island is a cropped v-neck pullover sweater designed by Harriet Elliot. This knitted garment is available in six sizes ranging from Small through 3X, with finished bust measurements from 48 inches (122 cm) to 68 inches (172.5 cm) and a cropped length between 18½ and 21 inches (47 to 53.5 cm). The pullover features a classic v-neckline and is designed as a comfortable, versatile layering piece.

Techniques Used

This sweater is constructed using fundamental knitting techniques that make it accessible to intermediate knitters. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, meaning pieces are knitted as individual flat panels. The construction follows a bottom-up approach, where the body and sleeves are knitted starting from the lower edges and working upward. The finished pieces are then seamed together to create the complete garment.

The pattern employs the Three-Needle Bind-Off technique for joining shoulder seams. This special technique simultaneously seams two pieces together while binding off, creating a secure and finished shoulder closure. The pattern notes that this technique can be worked with right sides facing each other for a standard seam, or with wrong sides facing each other for a decorative seam visible on the right side of the garment.

Shaping at the v-neckline is achieved through strategic decreases worked on right-side rows. The pattern uses k2tog (knit two together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) decreases to gradually narrow the neckline opening, creating the characteristic v-shape.

Stitches Used

The Ellis Island pullover primarily features Stockinette stitch, which creates the smooth, classic fabric that forms the main body of the sweater. Stockinette stitch is produced by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, resulting in the familiar v-pattern texture on the front and bumpy texture on the back.

Seed stitch is used as an accent element in this design. This textured stitch, created by alternating knit and purl stitches within each row, appears at the neckline and on the sleeve cuffs. The seed stitch provides visual interest and helps prevent rolling at these edges, which is particularly important at the v-neckline opening.

Basic decreasing stitches including k2tog (knit two together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) are used for shaping the v-neckline and creating fitted shoulders.

Materials and Tools

The Ellis Island pullover is knitted with Tahki Yarns ZONA, a versatile blend fiber containing 35% cotton, 28% wool, 26% acrylic, and 11% nylon. This fiber composition creates a yarn that combines the breathability and drape of cotton with the warmth and elasticity of wool, while the acrylic and nylon add durability and easy care. Each ball contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and yields 119 yards (110 meters) of yarn. The color used in this pattern is #02 quartz, a neutral shade suitable for various styling options.

Yardage requirements range from 6 balls (714 yards) for the smallest size to 9 balls (1,071 yards) for the largest size. Knitters will need size 11 (8 mm) needles to achieve the correct gauge of 12 stitches and 17 rows equaling 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch. An extra size 11 needle is required for the Three-Needle Bind-Off technique used to join shoulders. Additional supplies include five stitch holders for managing stitches during construction and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and any finishing seams.