266 Melange Pullover - Jumper Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Amherst

Pattern #266 Melange Pullover: Stranded Colorwork Knitting Pattern for Women by Valley Yarns

The 266 Melange Pullover is a women's pullover knitting pattern designed by Kirsten Hipsky and published by Valley Yarns. This intermediate-level pattern produces a classic, textured pullover featuring a distinctive stranded colorwork stitch pattern called the Melange Stitch, combined with smooth stockinette sections for a polished, wearable finish. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, making it immediately accessible for knitters ready to cast on.

Garment Overview

The Melange Pullover is a single garment design — a women's pullover (jumper) worked in multiple pieces and construction zones. The design combines two distinct visual textures: the eye-catching Melange Stitch, which is a stranded colorwork pattern, and classic stockinette stitch worked in a single color. The result is a sweater with rich surface interest balanced by clean, simple lines.

Sizing and Fit

The pattern is offered in five finished sizes, with finished bust measurements of 34, 38, 42, 46, and 50 inches. This generous size range makes the pattern suitable for a wide variety of body types. Knitters are encouraged to work to their desired sleeve length, offering some flexibility in fit and personalization.

Gauge

Achieving accurate gauge is essential for a well-fitting finished pullover. The pattern specifies two gauge measurements:

• 18 stitches and 22 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
• 18 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in Melange Stitch

The difference in row gauge between the two stitch patterns is an important detail for intermediate knitters to note, as the Melange Stitch rows are more compressed vertically than plain stockinette. Swatching in both stitch patterns before beginning is strongly recommended.

Construction and Techniques

The 266 Melange Pullover is constructed using a combination of flat and in-the-round knitting methods, reflecting an intermediate level of technical skill. Understanding both construction approaches is necessary to complete this project successfully.

Sleeves

The sleeves are worked in the round using double pointed needles or short circular needles. Each sleeve begins with a cast-on of 36, 38, 40, 42, or 44 stitches depending on the chosen size. The lower portion of each sleeve features 24 rounds of Melange Stitch, establishing the colorwork texture at the cuff. After completing the Melange Stitch section, the sleeve transitions to stockinette stitch worked in Color B only, with regular increases at the beginning and end of rounds to shape the sleeve cap. Increases are made using the m1 (make one) technique — specifically by knitting into the back of the strand running between stitches — and are spaced every 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 7th round depending on size, for a total of 10 to 24 increase rounds. The finished sleeve stitch counts range from 56 to 92 stitches. Knitters work even in stockinette until the sleeve measures 14.5 to 16.5 inches (or desired length) before binding off underarm stitches and placing the remaining sleeve stitches on a holder.

Body

The body of the pullover includes a front placket detail, with stitches bound off at the center front to create the opening. The body is worked to include both a front and a back, with stitch counts ranging from 68 to 104 stitches for the back section across the five sizes.

Yoke Construction

The yoke is constructed by joining all pieces together — front, back, and both sleeves — in a single joining row worked with the right side facing. Stitches from the body and sleeves are joined using Color B, with stitch markers placed at each join point to delineate the raglan or set-in yoke sections. The joining row carefully integrates the held sleeve stitches with the live body stit