Poolside

Poolside Sweater by Isabell Kraemer

What is Being Made

Poolside is a seamless, top-down knit sweater designed by independent designer Isabell Kraemer. This garment features a fitted upper body that transitions into a deeply textured lower section, offering versatile styling options. The sweater is available in seven sizes ranging from XS to XXL, with finished bust circumferences from 80 cm (32 inches) to 120 cm (48 inches), making it suitable for various body types and fit preferences.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

Poolside is constructed using seamless, top-down knitting methodology, which allows knitters to try on the garment during the construction process to ensure proper fit. This technique eliminates the need for seaming and provides a continuous fabric from shoulders to hem. The sweater is worked in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles, a common approach for seamless garment construction that creates a polished, professional finish.

The design incorporates strategic blocking techniques, particularly in the lace section. The upper fitted portion maintains its shape, while the lattice lace pattern in the lower body can be blocked to various silhouettes—the sample is blocked to an A-shape, though knitters have the flexibility to customize the final shape according to personal preference and style goals.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The sweater features stockinette stitch as the primary stitch for the fitted upper body, providing a smooth, classic fabric base. The defining design element is a lattice lace pattern that creates visual interest and textural depth throughout the lower section of the garment. This lace pattern combines yarn overs and decreases to form an open, geometric design that is both aesthetically striking and engaging to knit. The combination of solid stockinette and openwork lace creates dynamic contrast within a single garment.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Poolside is designed for sport weight yarn, though the pattern accommodates any sport or light DK weight yarn that knits to the specified gauge. The recommended yarn is pure alpaca by ICE YARNS, with yardage requirements varying by size: 950 yards (XS) through 1,600 yards (XXL). Knitters should verify their chosen yarn meets the gauge requirement of 20 stitches and 29 rows over 10 cm (4 inches) in stockinette stitch on the larger needles.

The pattern requires two needle sizes: 4 mm (US 6) circular needles and double-pointed needles for the main body, and 3.5 mm (US 4) circular needles and double-pointed needles for the fitted cuffs. Additional supplies include stitch markers, a tapestry needle for finishing, and stitch holders or waste yarn for managing stitches during construction.

Difficulty Level

Poolside is rated as an intermediate difficulty project, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle seamless construction and lace patterns. While the top-down seamless method and lattice lace pattern require attention to detail and familiarity with yarn overs and decreases, the straightforward construction and ability to try on the garment during knitting make this an accessible intermediate project.