Ribbon Tie Jumper

Ribbon Tie Jumper by Sian Brown

What is Being Made

The Ribbon Tie Jumper is a classic knitted sweater designed by independent knitwear designer Sian Brown. This garment features a contemporary aesthetic enhanced by a pale blue ribbon detail woven through the design. The jumper is available in eight sizes ranging from size 12 to size 26, accommodating bust measurements from 86 cm to 122 cm (34 to 48 inches). The finished length varies from 63 cm to 75 cm depending on the selected size, with consistent sleeve lengths of 43 to 46 cm across the size range.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginner-level crafters. The garment is constructed using reverse stocking stitch as the primary fabric texture, which is specifically chosen to complement the characteristics of the yarn used. The designer notes that if a flat yarn is substituted, the jumper can alternatively be worked in standard stocking stitch. The pattern incorporates decreasing techniques to shape the garment, utilizing skpo (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over) and k2tog (knit two together) decreases to create fitted shaping at strategic points.

Stitches Used

The Ribbon Tie Jumper uses essential knitting stitches that make it accessible to beginner knitters:

• Reverse Stocking Stitch (rev st st) – the primary fabric stitch, worked by alternating purl rows and knit rows to create a textured surface
• Garter Stitch – created by knitting every row, used for the initial cast-on edge to provide stability and definition
• Skpo (Slip, Knit, Pass Over) – a left-leaning decrease stitch used for shaping
• K2tog (Knit Two Together) – a right-leaning decrease stitch used for shaping

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Ribbon Tie Jumper is designed to be knitted with Colinette Taglietelli yarn in the shade Monet. This yarn is a chunky weight, providing quick knitting progress and substantial fabric. The yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 5 hanks for the smallest sizes (12, 14, 16, and 16) to 8 hanks for the largest size (26), with each hank weighing 100 grams.

The pattern requires two pairs of needles: size 7mm needles for the cast-on and initial edge rows, and size 8mm needles for the main body of the garment. This needle size progression allows for a neat, controlled edge while the larger needles accommodate the chunky yarn weight for the body fabric. The tension is established at 11 stitches and 20 rows over a 10 by 10 centimeter swatch worked in reverse stocking stitch on the 8mm needles.

An additional material component is pale blue ribbon measuring 110 centimeters, which serves as the decorative tie element that gives this jumper its distinctive name and design feature.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is classified as beginner level, making it an excellent project for knitters new to garment construction. The straightforward stitch techniques, combined with the quick progress afforded by chunky yarn, allow beginners to complete a wearable garment while developing fundamental shaping and finishing skills.