Virginia Pullover in Adriafil Primula - Downloadable PDF

Virginia Pullover in Adriafil Primula – Free Knitting Pattern Summary

The Virginia Pullover is a classic knitted pullover pattern designed for Adriafil's Primula yarn in turquoise colourway no. 46. This is a free downloadable PDF pattern suitable for knitters who are comfortable working with cables, ribbing, and basic garment shaping. The pattern is sized for a 40 (42–44) chest measurement, making it a versatile mid-range fit for adult knitters.

What Is Being Made

The Virginia Pullover is a long-sleeved sweater worked in separate pieces — a back, a front, and two sleeves — which are then seamed together. The design features a structured cable panel running through the body and sleeves, framed by knit and purl sections, giving the garment a timeless, textured appearance. The neckline is shaped with a classic front neck bind-off, creating a neat crew-style opening.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Adriafil Primula, turquoise no. 46 — approximately 550 g required
• Needle size: 5 mm knitting needles
• Additional tools: Double-tip cable needles, tapestry needle for seaming

Adriafil Primula is a DK weight yarn, well-suited to garment knitting. Its smooth, consistent construction makes it an excellent choice for showcasing cable and rib stitch patterns with crisp definition.

Techniques Used

• Working in pieces: The back, front, and sleeves are each knitted separately and then joined, a traditional construction method that allows for precise shaping and easy fitting adjustments.
• Armhole and shoulder shaping: Both the back and front include armhole shaping and a shoulder slant achieved through stepped bind-offs, giving the garment a professional, structured fit.
• Neckline shaping: The front neckline is formed by binding off the central stitches and then working each side separately, with further decreases worked every 2 rows to create a smooth, rounded neck edge.
• Sleeve shaping: Sleeves are worked from the cuff upward, with side increases worked every 10 rows to create a tapered sleeve shape. New stitches are incorporated into knit stitch as the sleeve widens.
• Cable knitting: A 14-stitch plait cable panel is featured prominently, worked twice across the body and sleeves. Cable needles are used to cross stitches and create the braided rope effect characteristic of plait cables.
• Seaming: A tapestry needle is used to join the finished pieces, a standard finishing technique in garment knitting.

Stitches Used

• Rib stitch 1/1 (k1, p1 ribbing): Used for the lower edges of the body and the sleeve cuffs, worked over 16 rows (approximately 7 cm). Ribbing provides elasticity and a neat, fitted border that helps the garment hold its shape.
• Knit stitch (stockinette / plain knit panels): Used for the background sections of the body and sleeves, as well as for the newly increased sleeve stitches. Knit stitch creates a smooth, flat fabric that contrasts beautifully with the textured cable panel.
• 14-stitch plait cable: A decorative cable stitch panel that forms the centrepiece of the Virginia Pullover's design. Plait cables involve crossing groups of stitches over one another using a cable needle to produce a woven, rope-like braid effect. This stitch requires intermediate knitting experience but is clearly set out within the pattern instructions.
• Purl stitches (p2 columns): Used as framing stitches on either side of the cable panels, helping to define and highlight the cable motif against the knit fabric.

Pattern Construction at a Glance

• Back: Cast on and work in 1/1