Micaela Maxi Pullover in Adriafil Sierra Andina - Downloadable PDF

Micaela Maxi Pullover in Adriafil Sierra Andina – Free Knitting Pattern (Downloadable PDF)

The Micaela Maxi Pullover is a bold, colourful striped pullover sweater designed for knitters who love vibrant, eye-catching knitwear. This free downloadable PDF pattern from Adriafil produces a relaxed-fit, maxi-length pullover worked in Adriafil Sierra Andina DK-weight yarn across a striking sequence of eight colours. The result is a statement garment with a rich, painterly stripe sequence that transitions through warm and cool tones, making it a standout piece in any wardrobe.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a long-line pullover sweater — sometimes called a maxi pullover — featuring set-in sleeves, a ribbed finish, and a classic crew neckline with shaped neckline shaping on the front. The garment is worked in separate pieces (back, front, and two sleeves) and seamed together. It is available in three sizes: Size 40 (42–44), corresponding to US sizes 6 (8–10) and UK sizes S (M–L).

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: Adriafil Sierra Andina, a DK-weight yarn, used in 50 g balls
• Total yarn required: 400 g across the following eight colours:
  • Red no. 17
  • Sky Blue no. 69
  • Orange no. 56
  • Anthracite no. 89
  • Yellow no. 55
  • Pink (number not specified in pattern)
  • Violet no. 49
  • Shocking Pink no. 53
• Knitting needles: No. 4 (metric), used throughout the entire project
• Notions: A tapestry needle with a rounded tip for seaming and finishing

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for a well-fitting pullover. The pattern specifies a gauge of 19 stitches and 30 rows over 10 × 10 cm, measured in purled stitch using knitting needles no. 4. Knitters should work a tension swatch before beginning and adjust needle size if necessary to match this gauge.

Stitches Used

• Purled stitch – the main body stitch used throughout the back, front, and sleeves; this stitch creates a smooth, reverse stocking stitch fabric with excellent drape
• Elastic rib – used for finishing sections of the garment, providing stretch and a neat edge
• Rib stitch 2/2 – a classic two-by-two ribbing, alternating two knit stitches with two purl stitches, commonly used for cuffs, hems, and neckbands
• Knit stitch to end elastic rib – a transitional stitch technique referenced at the finish of ribbed sections

Techniques Used

• Colour striping – the pattern uses a carefully sequenced stripe arrangement. The back and front begin with 30 rows in red, then progress through 20-row bands in sky blue, orange, anthracite, yellow, pink, violet, orange, yellow, and shocking pink, finishing with red. This creates a long, graduated colour journey across the full length of the garment.
• Side shaping (decreases) – on both the back and front, 1 stitch is decreased at each side every 6 rows, 3 times, beginning 4 cm from the cast-on edge, giving the body a subtle waist shaping
• Armhole shaping – set-in armholes are shaped by decreasing 2 stitches every 4 rows, 2 (3–4) times, worked inside the 2 edge stitches on both sides
• Neckline shaping – the front neckline is shaped by binding off the 20