Kinsale

Kinsale Pullover by Terri Kruse

What is Being Made

Kinsale is a top-down knit pullover sweater designed for babies and toddlers, available in five sizes ranging from 6 months through 4T. The finished chest measurements span from 21 inches for the smallest size to 27 inches for the largest size, with corresponding length measurements from 11.25 inches to 14.6 inches. This pullover is inspired by the coastal town of Kinsale in Cork County, Ireland, with design elements that reflect the natural colors and character of the location.

Design Inspiration and Details

The Kinsale pullover draws its aesthetic from the waters off the coast of Kinsale, with yarn colors chosen to echo the aquatic tones of the Irish coastline. A distinctive twisted rib detail features prominently on the front sections of the sweater, serving a dual purpose: the twisted rib pattern visually represents both the undulating waves of the sea and the narrow, compact streets characteristic of the historic town. This thoughtful design connection between stitch pattern and inspiration creates a garment with meaningful visual storytelling.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pullover employs a top-down construction method, which allows for easy fitting adjustments and the ability to try on the garment as you knit. The sweater is started flat on the front sections where the twisted rib detail is worked, before transitioning to other construction methods for the remainder of the garment. The use of both double-pointed needles and circular needles in various sizes accommodates the different gauge requirements and construction stages across the five size options.

Stitches and Stitch Work

• Twisted rib: A textured repeat stitch that appears on the front sections only, creating visual interest and dimensional texture
• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the garment, providing a smooth, classic knit fabric base

The gauge for this project is 20 stitches and 24 rows per 4 inches in stockinette stitch, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements across all five sizes.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Kinsale pullover is designed to be knit with Malabrigo Rios yarn, a premium yarn composed of 100% Superwash Merino fiber. This yarn provides excellent stitch definition for both the twisted rib detail and stockinette sections, while the superwash treatment makes the finished garment easy to care for—an important consideration for baby and toddler clothing. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 2 to 3 skeins, with each skein providing 210 yards per 100 grams. The recommended color is Aquas, which captures the coastal inspiration of the design.

Needles and Notions

The pattern requires US 7/4.5 mm needles in multiple configurations to accommodate the different sizes and construction stages. Smaller sizes (6 months and 12 months) use a 16-inch circular needle, while larger sizes (18 months, 2T, and 4T) require a 24-inch circular needle. A set of US 7/4.5 mm double-pointed needles is also needed for the flat sections where the twisted rib is worked at the beginning of the project.

Additional notions include a darning needle for weaving in ends, waste yarn for holding stitches, 3 to 4 buttons measuring 3/4 inch for closures, and stitch markers to help track pattern repeats and size increases throughout the knitting process.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who are comfortable with top-down construction, working with circular needles, and executing stitch pattern repeats. The twisted rib detail requires attention to technique, while the overall top-down approach provides flexibility and the ability to check fit as you progress.