Tahki Yarns Fall/Winter Calypso Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Fall/Winter Calypso: Confidence Pullover

What Is Being Made

The Confidence Pullover is a knitted sweater designed by Teresa Chorzepa, available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X. This pullover features a classic crew neckline and is constructed as a seamed garment with finished bust measurements from 39½ inches (100.5 cm) in the smallest size up to 59 inches (150 cm) in the largest size. The center back length ranges from 23¾ inches (60.5 cm) to 27¾ inches (70.5 cm) depending on the size selected.

Construction Technique and Method

The Confidence Pullover is worked using a bottom-up, seamed construction method, meaning the garment pieces are knitted individually from the lower edges upward and then sewn together. The sweater is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional seaming at the side and sleeve seams. This approach provides excellent control over shaping and creates clean, professional seams throughout the finished garment.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The Confidence Pullover incorporates several key stitches and techniques:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) forms the primary fabric, created by knitting all stitches on right-side rows and purling all stitches on wrong-side rows. This produces the classic smooth, V-textured knit fabric that is the foundation of the sweater.
• K1, P1 Rib is used for the cuff edging, worked over 8 rows with two strands of yarn held together. Ribbing provides elasticity and a finished appearance at the sleeve edges.
• Cable Decreases are featured in the raglan cap shaping. The pattern uses two specialized cable decrease stitches: C2Bdec (slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit 2, knit 2 together from cable needle) and C2Fdec (slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit 2 together, knit 2 from cable needle). These decorative decreases create a cable-like visual element while shaping the armhole.
• Standard Decreases including K2tog (knit 2 together) and ssk or ssp (slip, slip, knit or purl) are used throughout the raglan shaping to create smooth, sloped edges.

Yarn and Materials

The Confidence Pullover is designed to be knitted with Tahki Yarns ZONA, a blended yarn composed of 35% cotton, 28% wool, 26% acrylic, and 11% nylon. Each ball contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and yields 119 yards (110 meters). The yardage requirements range from 8 balls for the smallest size to 13 balls for the largest size, providing sufficient yardage for the complete sweater across all six sizes.

Tools and Equipment

The pattern requires size 9 (5.5mm) straight needles for working the main garment pieces flat. A size 9 (5.5mm) circular needle measuring 16 inches (40 cm) is used for the neckband ribbing. A cable needle is essential for executing the cable decreases that appear in the raglan shaping. A yarn needle is needed for seaming the pieces together and weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 14 stitches and 20 rows equal 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch when working with size 9 needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the proper finished measurements. The pattern notes that the sleeves are worked with 2 strands of yarn held together, while the body transitions to a single strand after the initial ribbed cuff, creating variation in fabric weight and drape.

Design Features

The Confidence Pullover incorporates raglan cap sleeves, which are shaped through a series of bind-offs and decreases worked over multiple rows. The raglan shaping begins with binding off stitches at the armhole and continues with decorative cable decreases and standard decreases worked in a repeating pattern. The sleeve cap shaping is repeated 8 to 13 times depending on size, creating a smooth, graduated slope from the underarm to the neckline. This construction method allows the