Twist Collective Rockefeller Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rockefeller Sweater by Twist Collective

What is Being Made

Rockefeller is a seamless, bottom-up knitted sweater designed to be worked in the round from the hem to the armholes, then finished with separate front and back pieces. This garment features distinctive ribbed side panels that create a flattering, body-conforming silhouette. The sweater is available in seven finished bust sizes ranging from 31¾ inches to 55¼ inches (80.5 cm to 140.5 cm), with corresponding lengths from 21¾ inches to 26½ inches (55 cm to 67.5 cm). The design is intended to be worn with 1–2 inches of negative ease for an elegant, fitted appearance.

Construction Techniques

Rockefeller employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its sophisticated design:

• Bottom-up construction: The sweater begins at the hem and progresses upward to the armholes, allowing for easy length adjustments during knitting.
• Seamless, in-the-round knitting: The body is worked circularly from the cast-on through the bust shaping, eliminating side seams and creating a smooth, continuous fabric.
• Bust shaping: Strategic decreases and increases are worked at marked intervals to create a flattering taper that conforms to the body's natural curves. The decreases are achieved using skp (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over) and stk (slip, knit, knit through back loop) techniques, while increases use M1R (make one right) and M1L (make one left) methods.
• Three-needle bind-off: The shoulders are joined using this technique, which creates a strong, flexible seam ideal for shoulder construction.
• Picked-up finishing: Stitches for the neckline and armholes are picked up from the existing fabric and finished with ribbing and i-cord edging, creating neat, professional edges.

Stitches Used

The stitch patterns in Rockefeller are relatively straightforward, emphasizing the garment's clean aesthetic:

• Twisted Rib (even number of stitches): Alternates knit through the back loop (k1 tbl) with purl (p1) stitches. This creates a subtle texture while maintaining elasticity.
• Twisted Rib (odd number of stitches): A variation of the even-stitch rib that accommodates an odd stitch count, ending with k1 tbl.
• Stockinette stitch: Implied in the main body sections where knit stitches are worked in the round and purl stitches are worked in rows on the front and back pieces.
• Ribbed panels: The side panels feature the twisted rib pattern, which is notably stretchy and naturally conforms to the wearer's waist and hips, providing both visual interest and functional shaping.
• I-cord edging: Used to finish the armholes with a durable, decorative edge.

Materials

Rockefeller is designed to be knitted with specific materials that contribute to its drape and wearability:

• Yarn: The suggested yarn is Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend, a luxurious fiber blend containing 70% wool and 30% silk. Each hank provides 150 yards (137 meters) and weighs 1¾ ounces (50 grams). The yardage required varies by size, ranging from 4 hanks for the smallest size to 8 hanks for the largest size, accommodating the full range of finished measurements.
• Needles: The pattern calls for US Size 6 (4 mm) circular needles measuring 24–48 inches (60–120 cm) long, with needle length adjusted based on bust size. Additionally, US Size 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles of the same length are used for ribbed sections. Smaller needles in the crafter's preferred style for small circumference knitting in the round are also recommended for working the neckline and armhole finishes.

The combination of wool and silk in the recommended yarn provides warmth, elasticity, and a subtle sheen, making it an excellent choice for a fitted sweater designed to showcase ribbed detailing and body-conforming shaping.