Vela Pullover Knitting Pattern

Vela Pullover in Berroco Vintage Handpaint

What is Being Made

The Vela Pullover is a knitted pullover sweater designed by Mel Kennelly, suitable for intermediate-level knitters. This garment is available in 11 sizes, ranging from bust measurements of 32 inches (81.5 cm) to 72 inches (183 cm), with corresponding lengths from 23 inches (58.5 cm) to 30.25 inches (77 cm). The pullover is shown in size 4, which features a finished bust measurement of 44.25 inches (112.5 cm) and a length of 24.5 inches (62 cm). The design accommodates approximately 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) of positive ease for comfortable wearing.

Construction Method

The Vela Pullover is worked in the round from the neck down using a raglan increase construction technique. This top-down approach allows knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and easily customize the length. The yoke is constructed first, beginning with a cast-on at the neckline, followed by raglan shaping that creates the characteristic diagonal lines from the neck to the underarms. This method distributes increases evenly across the front, back, and sleeves for balanced garment proportions.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch throughout the garment, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Ribbing (k1, p1): Used at the neckline for 10 rounds to create an elastic, fitted edge
• Raglan Increases: Strategic increases worked at marked intervals to shape the yoke and create the raglan sleeve cap
• Working in the Round: The entire garment is constructed circularly, eliminating side seams and creating a seamless finished piece

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: Berroco Vintage Handpaint in colorway #5205 Deep Sea Green is the recommended yarn for this project. The pattern calls for (5, 5, 6, 6) [6, 7, 8] {8, 9, 10, 11} hanks, with each hank weighing 100 grams. Berroco Vintage Handpaint is specifically chosen for this design, and the pattern instructions recommend using the yarn called for to ensure proper gauge and finished appearance.

Needles: The pattern requires multiple needle sizes and types to accommodate different sections of the garment. Knitters will need 16-inch (40 cm) circular needles in sizes 6 (4 mm) and 8 (5 mm) for the yoke and ribbing, as well as 32-inch (80 cm) circular needles in the same sizes for the body. Additionally, one set each of double-pointed needles or preferred small-circumference needles in sizes 6 (4 mm) and 8 (5 mm) are required for working the sleeves. The smaller needles are used for ribbing and initial yoke work, while the larger needles accommodate the stockinette stitch body.

Gauge and Blocking

The pattern specifies a gauge of 19 stitches and 26 rounds equal 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch using the larger needle. This gauge is measured after blocking, which is an essential step to achieve accurate finished measurements. Knitters should swatch, block their swatch, and measure carefully to ensure their gauge matches the pattern requirements before beginning the project.

Additional Notions

The pattern requires 8 stitch markers for tracking raglan increases and other shaping points throughout the yoke construction. One marker should be a different color to denote the beginning of round (BOR), making it easy to identify where each round begins during circular knitting.