Alessandra Pullover in Adriafil Baba - Downloadable PDF

Alessandra Pullover in Adriafil Babà

What is Being Made

The Alessandra Pullover is a chunky knit sweater designed in three sizes: Small (US 6), Medium (US 8), and Large (US 10). This pullover features a sophisticated cable and plait stitch pattern throughout, creating textured visual interest across the garment. The sweater is constructed using classic knitting techniques with structured shaping at the armholes and is suitable for those seeking a warm, textured layering piece.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs several fundamental and intermediate techniques. The primary construction method involves flat knitting on straight needles, with pieces worked separately and later joined. Cable crossing is a central technique, requiring the use of a cable needle to create the distinctive plait stitch pattern. The pattern incorporates bind-off shaping at the armholes to create fitted sleeve openings, with decreases worked at regular intervals every two rows. The garment demonstrates proper gauge management and stitch alignment to ensure the pattern repeats maintain consistency throughout the piece.

Stitches Used

• Knitted Stitch (Garter Stitch) – Used for edge stitches and selvage areas to create a stable foundation and neat finishing
• Plait Stitch – The primary decorative stitch used across the main body of the sweater. This stitch requires a stitch multiple of 7 plus 6 additional stitches and creates a braided, textured appearance through alternating knit and purl rows with cable crossings every 9 rows
• Cable Cross (Leftwise) – Executed by placing 3 stitches on a cable needle, holding them to the front of the work, knitting the next 3 stitches, then knitting the held stitches. This creates the characteristic twisted rope effect within the plait pattern

Materials and Tools

The Alessandra Pullover requires 800 grams of Adriafil Babà yarn in color number 84. Babà is a chunky weight yarn that creates a dense, warm fabric ideal for cold-weather garments. The project calls for knitting needles in sizes 9 and 10 (metric equivalent approximately 5.5mm and 6mm), with the larger size used for the main pattern work and gauge measurement. A cable needle size 10 is essential for executing the cable crosses that define the plait stitch pattern. A tapestry needle with a rounded tip is required for seaming the finished pieces together and weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge and Sizing

The specified gauge is 9 stitches and 13 rows over 10 centimeters when worked on size 10 needles in the plait stitch pattern. Maintaining this gauge is critical for achieving the correct finished dimensions. The pattern is provided in three sizes with corresponding stitch counts: Size Small (40 stitches), Size Medium (42 stitches), and Size Large (44 stitches), allowing customization for different body measurements.