Rigato

Rigato Knitted Sweater by Julie Blauw

What is Being Made

Rigato is a knitted pullover sweater designed by Julie Blauw and originally published in STRIPES by Making Stories. This garment is available in six sizes with finished bust circumferences ranging from 101 cm to 151 cm (39.75" to 59.5"), making it suitable for a wide range of body sizes. The design is intended to be worn with 12–14 cm (4.5–5.5 inches) of positive ease at the bust for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Knitting Techniques Used

Rigato is constructed using fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for beginner-level knitters. The sweater is worked in the round using circular needles, a method that eliminates the need for seaming and creates a seamless garment. The construction involves working the body and sleeves separately before joining them together, with ribbed edgings at the neck, hem, and cuffs to provide structure and prevent rolling. The pattern employs positive ease shaping, meaning the finished measurements are intentionally larger than the wearer's body measurements to create the desired drape and comfort.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

While specific stitch-by-stitch details are not fully detailed in the provided pattern excerpt, Rigato utilizes ribbed knit stitches for the edgings at the neckline, hem, and cuffs. These ribbed sections are worked on smaller needles to create elasticity and a neat, finished appearance. The body and sleeves are worked in stockinette stitch, the fundamental knit fabric created by alternating knit and purl rows when working flat, or knitting every round when working in the round.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: Rigato is designed to be knit with Greta and the Fibers Silk Me Worsted, a luxury blend composed of 60% merino wool and 40% silk. This yarn weight is classified as worsted, a medium-weight yarn that works up quickly while maintaining excellent stitch definition. The yardage requirements vary by size: Size 1 requires 710 metres (780 yards), while Size 6 requires 1,230 metres (1,345 yards). The sample shown in the pattern was knit in colorway 808 Limeade using Greta and the Fibers yarn, demonstrating the beautiful color options available for this design.

Needles: The pattern calls for two sizes of 5 mm (US 8) circular needles with a cable length of at least 80 cm (24 inches) for working the body and sleeves. Additionally, 4.5 mm (US 7) circular needles—one size smaller—are used for the ribbed edgings at the neck, hem, and cuffs. Circular needles of this length are essential for accommodating the full circumference of the sweater body while working in the round.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 17 stitches and 22 rows over a 10 cm × 10 cm (4" × 4") swatch in stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements and fit of the garment. Knitters should always knit and measure a gauge swatch before beginning the project, adjusting needle size as needed to match the specified gauge.