Lauderdale Pullover in Blue Sky Fibers Extra - 202018 - Downloadable PDF

Lauderdale Pullover in Blue Sky Fibers Extra – Pattern Summary

About This Design

The Lauderdale Pullover is a beautifully airy, openwork knitted pullover designed by Bobbi Intveld as part of Blue Sky Fibers' Classic Series. Crafted to be lightweight and versatile, this sweater is designed to be layered effortlessly over a delicate blouse or a casual tank top, making it a wardrobe staple for transitional seasons. The openwork construction gives the garment an elegant, breathable quality that sets it apart from a traditional solid-knit pullover.

Construction Method

This pullover is worked flat and seamed, meaning the individual pieces — typically the front, back, and sleeves — are knitted separately on flat needles and then joined together using seaming techniques. This classic construction method gives knitters precise control over shaping and produces clean, structured seams that help the garment hold its form. It is an excellent project for intermediate knitters who are comfortable with flat knitting and finishing techniques such as mattress stitch or backstitch seaming.

Stitches and Techniques

The primary stitch pattern used throughout the Lauderdale Pullover is the Open Stitch, an openwork or lace-style stitch that creates the garment's signature airy, semi-sheer texture. Openwork stitches typically involve a combination of yarn-overs and decreases worked in a repeating pattern to form decorative eyelets or mesh-like fabric. This technique requires familiarity with reading stitch patterns and maintaining consistent tension, which is why the pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty.

• Open Stitch – the primary stitch pattern used throughout the body and sleeves, creating an openwork, breathable fabric
• Flat knitting – all pieces are worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round
• Seaming – finished pieces are joined together to complete the pullover
• Gauge swatch – achieving the correct gauge is essential; the pattern specifies 19 stitches and 22 rows = 4 inches in Open Stitch using the larger needle

Sizing and Finished Measurements

The Lauderdale Pullover is available in a generous range of sizes to suit a wide variety of bodies. It is offered in Women's XS through 5XL, designed to fit bust sizes ranging from 30–32 inches up to 58–60 inches. The finished chest circumference ranges from 31½ inches to 60 inches, providing comfortable ease across all sizes. Additional finished measurements include:

• Length: 19 to 21 inches depending on size
• Sleeve length to underarm: 19 to 21½ inches depending on size

Instructions are written for the smallest size, with all larger sizes presented in parentheses throughout the pattern. When only a single number appears, it applies to all sizes.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern is specifically designed for use with Blue Sky Fibers Extra, an aran weight yarn with a luxurious fiber composition of 55% baby alpaca and 45% fine merino wool. Each hank contains 150 grams and 218 yards of yarn. The baby alpaca content lends the finished fabric an exceptionally soft, lightweight drape — a quality that makes it particularly well-suited to an openwork design like the Lauderdale Pullover. The merino component adds resilience and stitch definition, helping the Open Stitch pattern show up beautifully in the finished garment.

• Yarn: Blue Sky Fibers Extra (55% baby alpaca, 45% fine merino; 150g / 218 yds per hank)
• Yarn weight: Aran
• Quantity needed: 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) (6, 6, 7, 7) hanks depending on size
• Needles: Size 6 (4mm) circular needles in both 16-inch and 24-inch lengths, or size needed to obtain gauge