Teesta Pullover Jumper Knitting Pattern

Teesta Pullover in Juniper Moon Tenzing

What is Being Made

The Teesta Pullover is an unisex knitted sweater from the Karakoram Collection by designer Marie Grace Smith. This pullover features a striking colorwork pattern inspired by the Teesta river in India, which carves out ravines and gorges. The design is available in seven sizes ranging from XS to 3X, with finished chest measurements from 34 ½ inches to 53 ¼ inches and lengths from 22 ¼ inches to 23 ¾ inches.

Techniques Used

Colorwork in the Round: All colorwork in the Teesta Pullover is worked in the round, creating seamless integration of the two-color pattern throughout the body and sleeves. This technique allows for consistent color placement and eliminates the need for seaming colorwork sections.

Steek Construction: The arm and neck holes are created using steeks, a traditional technique that involves casting on extra stitches in a contrasting color pattern. These steek stitches are worked in alternating colors to create a reinforced edge that can be safely cut to open the armholes and neckline. This method is commonly used in colorwork sweaters to maintain pattern continuity while creating openings for sleeves and necklines.

Circular Knitting: The sweater is constructed using circular needles in two sizes, allowing the knitter to work continuously in the round rather than flat, which is essential for seamless colorwork integration.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used throughout the sweater, creating a smooth, flat fabric with a distinctive V-pattern appearance on the knit side
• Colorwork Pattern: A two-color repeating pattern that creates the visual effect of ravines and gorges inspired by the Teesta river
• Steek Stitches: Specialized stitches worked in alternating main color and contrasting color to reinforce the areas that will be cut for armholes and neckline

Materials

Yarn: The Teesta Pullover is designed to be knitted using Juniper Moon Farm Tenzing yarn. The main color is Tenzing in color #05 Arctic River Blue, requiring 6 to 9 balls depending on size. The contrasting color is Tenzing in color #03 Gingersnap, requiring 5 to 7 balls depending on size. The gauge is 23 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch using the larger needles.

Needles: The pattern calls for US 5 (3.75 mm) and US 6 (4 mm) circular needles in both 32-inch and 16-inch lengths, as well as double-pointed needles in both sizes for working smaller circumferences such as the neckline and cuffs.

Additional Notions: A tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, two stitch markers in different colors to track pattern repeats and construction points, scrap yarn or stitch holders for holding stitches, scissors for cutting the steeks, and optionally a crochet hook for reinforcing steeks using crochet reinforcement techniques.

Design Details

The Teesta Pullover features a shaped neckline created through strategic stitch decreases and steek construction. The colorwork pattern repeats across the body and sleeves, with the pattern chart showing 18 rows and multiple stitch repeats. The sweater maintains consistent proportions across all sizes while scaling the finished measurements appropriately.