Tahki Yarns Nautilus Pullover Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Nautilus Pullover

What is Being Made

The Nautilus Pullover is an intermediate-level knitted sweater designed by Joan Beebe. This pullover is available in eight sizes ranging from extra-small through 4X, with finished bust measurements from 32.5 inches (82.5 cm) to 60 inches (152.5 cm). The garment features a classic pullover silhouette suitable for various body types and sizing preferences.

Knitting Techniques

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques that contribute to its intermediate difficulty level:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The sweater is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing for easier fitting adjustments and try-ons during the knitting process.
• Worked Flat: The pieces are created using flat knitting on straight needles rather than in the round, which simplifies shaping and seaming.
• Seamed Assembly: Individual pieces are knitted separately and then seamed together, providing a structured finish and clean garment lines.
• Striped Colorwork: The design incorporates striped patterns using multiple yarn colors, adding visual interest and texture to the finished pullover.
• Short Row Shaping: The pattern utilizes German Short Rows (GSR) to shape the back neck and shoulders, creating a more refined neckline and improved fit across the upper body.
• Armhole Shaping: Decreases are worked on right-side rows to create properly fitted armholes that accommodate various sleeve cap heights across the size range.

Stitches Used

The Nautilus Pullover is primarily constructed using Stockinette stitch, the foundational stitch for this pattern. Additional stitch techniques include Make 1 Left (M1L) increases, which are worked by lifting the strand between needles from front to back and working through the back loop to prevent holes. The pattern also incorporates standard knit and purl stitches for shaping and finishing details.

Materials and Tools

This pattern calls for Tahki Cotton Classic yarn, a 100% cotton fiber available in three coordinating colors. The main color (MC) is white (#3001), with coral (#3473) and light silver (#3006) serving as contrast colors. Yardage requirements vary by size: the main color requires 5 to 12 hanks depending on size, while the coral contrast requires 2 to 4 hanks and light silver requires 1 to 2 hanks. Each hank contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and 108 yards (99 meters) of yarn.

Knitting needles required include Size 7 (4.5 mm) needles for the main fabric and Size 5 (3.75 mm) needles for ribbing or edging. A yarn needle is needed for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together. The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 29 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch using the larger needles, which should be verified before beginning the project.

Pattern Characteristics

The Nautilus Pullover demonstrates intermediate-level complexity through its use of multiple techniques including short row shaping, color changes, and fitted armhole construction. The cotton yarn choice makes this an excellent warm-weather or transitional-season garment. The striped design adds visual dimension while remaining accessible to knitters with solid foundational skills in flat knitting and basic shaping techniques.