Madesimo Pullover in Adriafil New Zealand Solids - Downloadable PDF

Madesimo Pullover Knitting Pattern in Adriafil New Zealand Solids — Free Downloadable PDF

The Madesimo Pullover is a classic, structured knitted sweater designed for everyday wear. This free downloadable PDF pattern is published by Adriafil Yarns and is worked in their New Zealand yarn, an aran-weight wool celebrated for its warmth, stitch definition, and natural character. The design features a refined combination of multiple stitch textures, giving the finished garment visual interest and a satisfying knit-along experience for intermediate knitters.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a pullover sweater — a classic drop-shoulder or set-in style jumper worked in separate pieces and seamed together. It is sized for a 40 (42–44) chest measurement, making it suitable for a range of adult sizes. The construction follows a traditional flat-knitting approach, with the back and front worked separately from the bottom border upward, including shaped armholes and a finished neckline.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Adriafil New Zealand in melange colourway no. 82 — approximately 500 g required
• Knitting needles: 4.5 mm (no. 4½) straight or circular needles
• Tapestry needle for seaming and finishing

The Adriafil New Zealand yarn is an aran-weight yarn known for its rustic, natural fibre qualities. Its slightly textured surface enhances the appearance of garter stitch and ribbing, making it an ideal choice for a multi-texture design like the Madesimo Pullover.

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for accurate sizing. All gauges are measured over a 10 × 10 cm swatch using 4.5 mm needles:

• Knit stitch: 18 stitches and 24 rows
• Garter stitch: 18 stitches and 32 rows
• Striped stitch: 18 stitches and 30 rows

Note that while the stitch count remains consistent across all three stitch patterns, the row counts differ significantly, which directly affects the vertical length of each section. Swatching in each stitch pattern before beginning is strongly recommended.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The Madesimo Pullover incorporates four distinct stitch patterns, each serving a specific structural or decorative purpose:

• K1/P1 Rib Stitch: A classic alternating knit-one, purl-one ribbing used in the border section. Ribbing creates a stretchy, form-fitting edge that helps the garment sit neatly at the hem and cuffs. It is worked over 11 rows as part of the lower border.
• Knit Stitch (Stockinette / Plain Knit): Used in the opening rows of the border and as a transitional element. Working 6 rows in knit stitch followed by 1 purl row on the right side creates a neat rolled or folded border detail before the ribbing begins.
• Garter Stitch: Formed by knitting every row, garter stitch creates a dense, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges. It is used for the main body section above the border and also maintained as a selvedge (end stitch) throughout the striped stitch section to keep edges tidy and stable.
• Striped Stitch: A textured pattern created by alternating rows of knit and purl in a specific sequence — Rows 1 and 4 in knit stitch, Rows 2 and 3 in purl stitch, then repeating from Row 1. This produces a subtle, ridged stripe effect that adds visual depth to the upper body of the pullover.

Construction and Shaping

The back piece is cast on with 71 (77–83) stitches and begins with the decorative border, which spans approximately 7 cm in total. The body then continues in garter stitch