Stomping Grounds Pullover

Stomping Grounds Pullover by Danielle Chalson

What is Being Made

The Stomping Grounds Pullover is an intermediate-level knitted sweater designed by Danielle Chalson. This pullover is a versatile garment available in seven sizes, with finished bust measurements ranging from 33 inches to 56.5 inches. The sweater is designed to be worn with 0-2 inches of positive ease, making it a comfortable, slightly relaxed-fitting pullover suitable for everyday wear.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques that create visual interest and texture throughout the garment. The design incorporates cable knitting, which is a foundational technique for creating raised, twisted stitch patterns that add dimension to the fabric. Additionally, the pattern utilizes Make 1 Left-leaning (M1L) increases, a method for creating new stitches that leans in a specific direction, allowing for shaping and design details. The construction method uses circular needles for seamless knitting, a modern approach that reduces finishing work by eliminating the need to seam pieces together.

Stitches Used

The Stomping Grounds Pullover features multiple stitch patterns worked throughout the design:

• Cable Pattern — creates textured, twisted columns that add visual depth
• Stockinette Stitch — the foundational smooth stitch used as a base or contrast element
• Texture Pattern — an additional stitch pattern that provides surface variation

These stitch patterns are combined to create a complex, visually interesting fabric with multiple levels of texture.

Materials and Gauge

The pattern calls for Knit Picks City Tweed DK yarn, a premium blend composed of 55% Merino wool, 25% Superfine alpaca, and 20% Donegal tweed. This fiber combination provides warmth, softness, and subtle texture. The yardage requirement varies by size, ranging from 9 balls to 17 balls of yarn, with each ball containing 123 yards. The yarn is worked at a DK weight on US 6 (4.0mm) circular needles in 16-inch and 24-inch lengths, along with matching US 6 (4.0mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) for smaller circumference sections such as cuffs or necklines.

Gauge Information

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this intermediate pattern. The gauges specified are:

• 32 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in the Cable Pattern, when blocked
• 20 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette stitch, when blocked
• 20 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in the Texture Pattern, when blocked

Blocking is recommended to even out the stitches and set the fabric, ensuring the finished measurements are accurate.

Additional Notions

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, a cable needle for manipulating stitches during cable crossings, and scrap yarn for holding stitches temporarily during construction.