Confectionary

Confectionary Pullover by Melissa Leapman

What Is Being Made

Confectionary is a pullover sweater designed by Melissa Leapman, offered in six sizes ranging from 35 ½ inches to 54 ½ inches bust measurement (90 to 138.5 cm). This intermediate-level knitting project produces a finished garment with lengths between 23 ½ and 25 ½ inches (59.5 to 65 cm), intended to be worn with 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) of ease for comfortable wear.

Construction Method

The Confectionary pullover is worked in separate pieces from the bottom up, then assembled through seaming. This construction approach allows for precise shaping and control over fit. The garment features raglan-style decreases that are worked strategically throughout the piece to create the characteristic sloped shoulder line of a raglan sweater.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

• 1x1 Ribbing: Used for cuff and waistband sections, worked over an even number of stitches by alternating knit and purl stitches (K1, P1) across all rows and rounds
• Reverse Stockinette Stitch: The primary fabric base, created by purling on right-side rows and knitting on wrong-side rows, producing a textured, bumpy surface
• Cable Pattern: Presented in chart form only, this decorative element adds visual interest and dimension to the sweater
• Raglan Decreases: Shaping decreases worked on both right-side and wrong-side rows; RS raglan dec rows use K3, K2tog, work in pattern to last 5 stitches, SSK, K3 (2 stitches decreased); WS rows without decreases maintain the pattern with K3, work in pattern to last 3 stitches, K3
• Decorative Edge Detail: On RS rows without decreases, a yarn-over and purl together sequence (P1, P2tog, YO, work in pattern to last 3 sts, YO, P2tog, P1) creates a subtle lace-like edging

Techniques

This intermediate project employs several key knitting techniques. Raglan shaping is central to the design, with decreases worked at regular intervals to create the sloped armhole and shoulder line characteristic of raglan construction. The pattern uses both knit two together (K2tog) and slip, slip, knit (SSK) decreases to maintain stitch consistency. Yarn-over increases are incorporated into the edge detail for decorative effect. The cable pattern is presented in chart form, requiring the knitter to read and follow a visual stitch diagram. Assembly involves seaming the individual pieces together to complete the garment.

Materials

The Confectionary pullover is designed to be knitted with super chunky weight yarn. The suggested yarn is Tahki Yarns Montana, a 100% virgin wool yarn available in colorway #003. Each hank contains 130 yards (120 meters) and weighs 3 ½ ounces (100 grams). The project requires 6 to 9 hanks depending on size, with smaller sizes (35 ½ and 40 inches) requiring 6 to 7 hanks, and larger sizes (47 ½ to 54 ½ inches) requiring 8 to 9 hanks. The super chunky weight yarn ensures quick knitting progress and creates a dense, warm fabric suitable for cold-weather wear.