Twist Collective Solaris Jumper Knitting Pattern

Solaris Sweater by Nadya Stallings

What Is Being Made

Solaris is a fitted pullover sweater designed by Nadya Stallings for Twist Collective. This garment features a sophisticated construction with waist shaping and is intended to be worn with zero ease for a close, body-skimming fit. The sweater is available in six sizes ranging from 32 ½" to 52 ½" bust circumference, with a finished length between 22 ¾" and 26 ¼" depending on size.

Construction Techniques

Solaris employs a thoughtful bottom-up construction method with several distinct sections. The front panel is worked first from the bottom up, incorporating waist shaping through strategic increases. The back is begun with a provisional cast-on at the waist and worked upward to the shoulders, then the lower back is completed by working downward from the waist. This two-directional approach allows for precise shaping and fit. Sleeves are picked up around the armhole opening and worked back and forth using short rows to shape the cap, creating a refined sleeve head. All pieces are worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, and the garment is finished with seaming to join the components together.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Solaris sweater features two distinct stitch patterns that create visual interest and texture:

• Texture Stitch: A 4-stitch repeat (plus 3 stitches) that alternates knit and slip stitches. Row 1 (right-side) reads: K1, *k2, slip 1 purlwise with yarn in back, k1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2. Row 2 (wrong-side) reads: K2, *p3, k1; repeat from * to last stitch, k1. This stitch creates a subtle, textured fabric base.
• Lace Stitch: An 8-stitch repeat (plus 1 stitch) that incorporates yarn overs and decreases to create an openwork pattern. The lace features k3tog tbl (knit 3 together through back loop) decreases paired with yarn overs for a delicate, flowing design. Lace rows alternate with purl rows on the wrong side to maintain stitch definition.

The front panel incorporates waist shaping through increases worked every 14 rows, with a total of 5 increase rows that add 2 stitches per row, building from 87 stitches to 157 stitches depending on size.

Materials

The suggested yarn for Solaris is Cascade Yarns Sorata, a luxurious blend of 70% baby llama and 30% silk that provides both softness and drape. Each hank contains 437 yards (400 meters) and weighs 3 ½ ounces (100 grams). The pattern requires 2 to 4 hanks depending on size, with larger sizes requiring more yardage. The yarn is worked on Size 4 US (3.5 mm) circular needles—a 24–48" needle depending on bust size for the main body, and a separate 16" needle for neck edging. Additional notions include stitch markers, a yarn needle for finishing, and scrap yarn to use as stitch holders for the armholes.