Woman's Waves of Ribs Jumper Knitting Pattern

Woman's Waves of Ribs Jumper Knitting Pattern

Project Overview

The Woman's Waves of Ribs Jumper is an intermediate-level knitting pattern designed by Melissa Leapman and published by Cascade Yarns. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a classic women's pullover sweater available in five sizes ranging from Small to 2X, with finished bust measurements from 35 inches to 48½ inches and total length from 24 to 25½ inches.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern is designed to be worked with Cascade's 220 Superwash® yarn, a durable and washable wool blend ideal for everyday wear. The yardage requirement ranges from 7 hanks for the smallest size to 10 hanks for the larger sizes, with the specific colorway being #1973. Knitters will need one pair each of size 6 and size 7 knitting needles (or the size required to achieve proper gauge) and one cable needle for working the stitch patterns.

Gauge and Construction

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this project. The pattern specifies a gauge of 28 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches when working the Wavy Pattern on the larger needles. The sweater is constructed in pieces, beginning with the back panel worked from the lower edge upward.

Stitch Patterns and Techniques

The Woman's Waves of Ribs Jumper features two primary stitch patterns that work together to create visual interest and texture:

• Rib Pattern: A foundational ribbed stitch that forms the lower portion of the sweater. This pattern uses a multiple of 6 stitches plus 2 and alternates between knit and purl stitches across right-side and wrong-side rows, creating vertical lines of texture. The ribbing is worked on the smaller needles to create a fitted edge that helps the garment maintain its shape.
• Wavy Pattern: A more complex stitch pattern worked from a chart that creates the signature wave texture. This pattern is also based on a multiple of 6 stitches plus 2 and is worked on the larger needles after the ribbed section. The wavy motif adds visual movement and dimension to the main body of the sweater.

Pattern Structure and Shaping

The back panel begins with a cast-on ranging from 122 stitches for the smallest size to 170 stitches for the 2X size. The ribbed pattern is worked for approximately 12½ to 14 inches depending on size, creating a fitted waistband. The knitter then transitions to the larger needles and begins the Wavy Pattern, continuing until the piece reaches approximately 15½ inches from the cast-on edge.

Armhole shaping is accomplished through a combination of bind-offs and decreases worked over multiple rows. The pattern specifies binding off 6 to 12 stitches at the beginning of two rows (depending on size), followed by additional bind-offs of 2 to 5 stitches, and then single-stitch decreases worked either every row or every other row to create a smooth armhole curve.

Neck shaping involves binding off the center stitches and working both shoulders simultaneously with separate balls of yarn. A single decrease is worked at each neck edge to create a finished neckline. Shoulder shaping is completed by binding off stitches in groups across multiple rows to create the proper shoulder slope.

Finished Garment Details

The completed Woman's Waves of Ribs Jumper is a versatile pullover sweater that combines classic ribbed texture with modern wavy stitch detailing. The combination of the fitted ribbed lower section and the textured wavy pattern creates a flattering silhouette suitable for a range of body types and styling preferences. The use of Superwash® yarn makes this sweater practical for regular washing and wearing.