Nigella

Nigella Sweater by Marie Wallin

What is Being Made

Nigella is a knitted pullover sweater designed by Marie Wallin and published in the Meadow collection. This intermediate-level garment is available in five sizes ranging from small (to fit bust 81-86 cm / 32-34 in) through to extra-extra-large (to fit bust 122-127 cm / 48-50 in), making it suitable for a range of body measurements.

Knitting Techniques

The Nigella sweater employs several key knitting techniques to create its finished design:

• Circular knitting: The garment is constructed using circular needles and double-pointed needles, allowing for seamless, in-the-round construction
• Fairisle patterning: The body features colorwork created using the fairisle technique, a traditional method of stranding two colors of yarn across the back of the work to create intricate patterns
• Ribbed edging: The lower edge is worked in rib stitch for approximately 4 cm before transitioning to the main fabric
• Stockinette stitch base: The patterned sections are worked entirely in stockinette stitch (knit every round when working in the round), providing a smooth, classic fabric base for the fairisle design

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined to create texture and pattern interest. Ribbing provides elasticity and structure at the garment edge, while stockinette stitch forms the primary fabric. The fairisle colorwork is achieved by knitting with two colors simultaneously, creating a 28-stitch pattern repeat that is repeated multiple times around each round (9 to 14 times depending on size). The chart-based fairisle pattern runs for 22 rounds in the body section.

Materials and Yarn

Nigella is designed to be worked in 4-ply weight yarn using Jamieson's of Shetland Spindrift, a premium yarn choice. The pattern requires two colors:

• Color A (Eesit): 9 to 15 balls of 25 grams, depending on size
• Color B (Tundra): 6 to 10 balls of 25 grams, depending on size

Needles Required

The pattern calls for multiple needle sizes to accommodate different sections of the garment:

• 2¾mm (US 2) circular needle for ribbed edging
• 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle for main body stockinette stitch
• Set of 4 double-pointed 2¾mm (US 2) needles for smaller circumference sections
• Set of 4 double-pointed 3¼mm (US 3) needles for smaller circumference sections in main fabric

Gauge and Tension

The pattern specifies a tension of 29 stitches and 31 rounds to 10 cm (approximately 4 inches) when measured over patterned stockinette stitch using the 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the garment to fit as intended across all five size options.

Difficulty Level

Nigella is rated as an intermediate project, suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle fairisle colorwork and circular needle techniques. The combination of in-the-round construction, pattern repeats, and two-color stranding requires attention to tension and pattern reading, making it an ideal stepping stone for knitters developing advanced skills.