In The Sky With Diamonds Pullover

In The Sky With Diamonds Pullover by Sharon Slarke

Garment Overview

The In The Sky With Diamonds Pullover is a fitted, textured pullover designed by Sharon Slarke, featuring distinctive cabled sleeves and a cowl collar. This intermediate-level knitting project combines classic construction techniques with decorative stitch work, creating a sophisticated pullover suitable for various occasions.

What Is Being Made

This is a pullover sweater with a fitted silhouette and refined details. The garment includes a cowl collar at the neckline, textured body panels, and cable-detailed sleeves. Five size options are provided, with finished chest measurements ranging from 74cm (29¼ inches) to 114cm (45 inches), and lengths between 50cm and 53cm (19¾ to 20¾ inches).

Knitting Techniques Used

• Cable knitting: Decorative cables are featured prominently on the sleeves, adding visual interest and texture
• Textured stitch patterns: The body utilizes specialty stitches to create dimensional surface interest
• Fitted shaping: Strategic increases and decreases create a tailored fit through the torso
• Cowl collar construction: A distinctive neckline treatment that adds elegance to the finished garment
• Seamless or seamed construction: Uses both straight needles and circular needles for different sections

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used in this design is the Raspberry Stitch, which works over a multiple of 4 stitches. This textured stitch creates a bumpy, dimensional fabric surface.

Raspberry Stitch Pattern Sequence:

• Row 1 (Wrong Side): Work [knit 1, yarn forward and knit 1] all into the next stitch, then purl 3 together; repeat across
• Row 2: Knit 1, purl 3; repeat across
• Row 3: Knit 3, purl 1; repeat across
• Row 4: Purl 1, knit 3; repeat across

Additional standard knitting abbreviations and techniques employed include yarn forward (yarn overs), knit 2 together (k2tog) for right-leaning decreases, purl 3 together (p3tog) for multiple-stitch decreases, and Make 1 (M1) for increases. Cable stitches are worked using a cable needle to create the twisted rope-like textures on the sleeves.

Materials and Tools

This pullover is designed to be worked in worsted weight yarn (also called 10 ply). The recommended yarn is Misti Alpaca Tonos Worsted, which is a premium blend of 50% alpaca and 50% merino wool. Each 100-gram skein yields approximately 199 meters (218 yards) of yarn.

Yardage requirements: The pattern calls for 7 to 10 skeins depending on size, providing approximately 1,393 to 1,990 meters of yarn total.

Needles and tools required:

• 4.5mm straight needles (or size needed to obtain correct gauge)
• 4.5mm circular needle, 40cm (16 inches) in length
• Cable needle for working cable stitches

Gauge

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 22.5 stitches and 30.5 rows over 10cm (4 inches) when measured in Raspberry Stitch using 4.5mm needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit, particularly given the fitted nature of this design.

Difficulty Level

This pullover is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience. The combination of textured stitches, cable work, and fitted shaping requires competence with standard knitting techniques and the ability to follow a detailed pattern.