Violet Pullover Jumper Knitting Pattern

String Violet Pullover

What Is Being Made

The String Violet Pullover is an intermediate-level knitted sweater designed by Lidia Karabinech. This pullover is a classic crew-neck style available in four sizes: Small (bust 36"/91.5cm), Medium (40"/101.5cm), Large (44"/112cm), and Extra Large (48"/122cm). The finished length to shoulder measures 21½"/54.5cm across all sizes, making it a versatile everyday garment suitable for layering or wearing as a standalone piece.

Techniques Used

The Violet Pullover is constructed using a bottom-up seamed method, meaning the body and sleeves are knitted separately from the hem upward and then joined together with seaming. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, which requires careful attention to shaping and finishing details.

The pattern incorporates German Short Rows, an advanced shaping technique that creates smooth, gradual curves without the traditional wrapped stitches. This method involves slipping stitches purlwise with strategic yarn positioning to create invisible short-row shaping, particularly useful for fitted necklines and sleeve caps. The technique requires lifting yarn over the needle top and managing yarn placement between knit and purl stitches to maintain stitch integrity.

Stitches Used

The Violet Pullover features several key stitch patterns and techniques:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – The primary fabric structure, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. This creates the smooth, classic knit fabric that forms the base of the sweater.
• Left Cable Panel (LCP) – A 6-stitch cable pattern worked over 12 rows. The left cable cross (L6C) is executed by slipping 3 stitches to a cable needle and holding to the front, knitting 3 stitches, then knitting the 3 stitches from the cable needle. This creates a distinctive left-leaning twisted cable detail.
• Right Cable Panel (RCP) – A complementary 6-stitch cable pattern also worked over 12 rows. The right cable cross (R6C) is created by slipping 3 stitches to a cable needle and holding to the back, knitting 3 stitches, then knitting the 3 stitches from the cable needle, producing a right-leaning twisted effect.
• Decreases – K2tog (knit 2 together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) are used for shaping throughout the garment.
• Increases – M1 (Make 1) increases are worked by lifting the strand between stitches to the left needle from front to back and working through the back loop with a twist to prevent holes.

Materials and Gauge

The Violet Pullover is knitted with String DOLCETTO DK yarn, a luxurious blend of 30% cashmere and 70% merino wool. The yardage requirements are 6 balls for Small, 7 balls for Medium, 8 balls for Large, and 9 balls for Extra Large. Each ball contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and provides 206 yards (187 meters) of yarn. The pattern calls for color 100002 pearl, a neutral shade suitable for versatile styling.

The garment is worked on US size 6 (4.0mm) needles, which create a gauge of 20 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10cm) in stockinette stitch. Achieving accurate gauge is essential for proper fit and is emphasized in the pattern instructions. Additional tools required include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, stitch holders for managing live stitches during construction, a cable needle for executing the cable crosses, and a yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends.

The cashmere-merino blend provides exceptional softness, breathability, and warmth, making this an ideal yarn choice for a pullover that will be worn close to the skin. The DK weight offers excellent stitch definition for showcasing the cable panel details while remaining lightweight enough for layering.