Twist Collective Petrina Jumper Knitting Pattern

Petrina Sweater by Margaret Mills

What is Being Made

Petrina is a sophisticated knitted sweater designed by Margaret Mills for Twist Collective. This garment is a pullover-style sweater available in six sizes, with finished bust measurements ranging from 33½ inches (85 cm) to 54¼ inches (138 cm). The sweater is intended to be worn with 1–3 inches (2.5–7.5 cm) of ease and features a finished length between 25½ and 27 inches (65–68.5 cm) when laid flat. The design is shown in size 37½ inches (95.5 cm).

Construction Method and Techniques

Petrina employs a bottom-up construction method, beginning at the lower body and progressing toward the neckline. The sweater is worked in the round from the bottom to the armholes using circular needles, creating a seamless lower body. Once the armholes are reached, the upper back and front sections are worked flat (back and forth in rows) to completion. This hybrid approach combines the efficiency of circular knitting with the shaping flexibility of flat knitting.

The garment features seamed construction elements and incorporates multiple stitch pattern techniques including cables and lace motifs. Stitch patterns are provided in both written text and charted formats, allowing knitters to choose their preferred method of following instructions.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern utilizes several foundational and decorative stitches to create visual interest and structure:

• Garter stitch: Used in the lower body section, creating a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges
• Cable stitches: Incorporated into the design for dimensional texture and classic sweater appeal
• Lace stitches: Featured through yarn-over and decrease combinations, creating openwork patterns and drape
• Knit through back loop (k1 tbl): Used in combination with yarn-overs to create decorative lace elements
• Yarn-overs (yo): Essential to the lace pattern construction, creating the characteristic holes and flowing drape of lace knitting
• Decreases (k2tog): Used to balance yarn-overs and shape the garment

Materials and Tools

The suggested yarn for Petrina is Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop, a breathable blend consisting of 50% cotton and 50% bamboo. Each ball contains 292 yards (267 meters) and weighs 3½ ounces (100 grams). The pattern requires 3–5 balls depending on the chosen size, with the color shown being #117 Emerald.

Two circular needles are required: a Size 4 US (3.5 mm) circular needle and a Size 5 US (3.75 mm) circular needle, both measuring 24–48 inches (60–120 cm) in length depending on bust size. The smaller needle is used for the initial cast-on and ribbed sections, while the larger needle accommodates the main body of the sweater. Needle size may be adjusted as necessary to achieve the correct gauge.

Yarn Characteristics and Fit Considerations

The cotton-bamboo blend of Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop is selected for its drape and fluidity. An important note for knitters: due to the inherent drape of this yarn, the gauge and measurements of the finished sweater when laid flat may differ from the gauge and measurements when the sweater is worn on the body. When worn, Petrina may appear narrower and longer than the blocked garment measurements suggest. This is a natural characteristic of drapey yarns and should be considered when selecting a size.

Pattern Structure Overview

The pattern begins with a cast-on of 204–324 stitches depending on size. After joining to work in the round, knitters work even rounds before transitioning to the stitch patterns. Shaping is introduced through strategic marker placement and decreases to create armholes. The pattern includes detailed instructions for both the body and armhole edging, with options to follow either written instructions or charts for all stitch patterns.