River Jumper

River Jumper by Jennifer Wood

What is Being Made

The River Jumper is a knitted pullover sweater designed by Jennifer Wood and available through woodhouseknits.com. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted jumper with a finished bust measurement range of 40.75 to 71.5 inches (102 to 180 cm), accommodating eight different sizes. The garment shown in the pattern is modeled in the smallest size with a finished bust of 40.75 inches and includes 6 inches of positive ease for comfortable wear.

Knitting Techniques Used

The River Jumper employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques suitable for crafters with moderate experience. The pattern incorporates cable work, requiring the use of a cable needle to create textured stitch patterns. Decreasing techniques are utilized throughout the construction, including knit two stitches together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk) methods for shaping the garment. The sweater is constructed using circular needles, suggesting either seamless in-the-round construction or flat knitting depending on the specific pattern sections.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and fundamental stitches as its foundation. Key stitches include knit (k) and purl (p) stitches, which form the base of the fabric. Decreasing is accomplished through k2tog and ssk techniques to shape the sweater at strategic points. Cable stitches are incorporated using a cable needle, adding visual interest and texture to the design. The pattern also employs slip stitches and marker placement to track pattern repeats and construction progress across the various rounds and rows.

Yarn and Materials

The River Jumper is designed to be worked in Stolen Stitches Nua yarn, a premium sport-weight blend composed of 60% wool, 20% yak, and 20% linen. This fiber combination provides durability, warmth, and a subtle sheen. The yarn is available in the colorway Rolling Bales. Yardage requirements range from 1108 yards for the smallest size to 2263 yards for the largest size, with skein requirements varying from 8 to 15 skeins depending on the finished size. The pattern recommends having an extra skein on hand for the two larger sizes, as the yardage estimates use the entire final skein.

Needles and Tools

Construction requires a US Size 3 (3.25mm) circular needle, or the size needed to achieve the correct gauge, measuring 24 inches or longer. A set of 4 or 5 double-pointed needles in the same size is also needed, likely for working smaller circumferences such as cuffs or neckline details. A cable needle is essential for working the cable stitch elements throughout the design.