Janus Pullover

Janus Pullover by Irina Anikeeva

What is Being Made

The Janus Pullover is a women's knitted sweater designed by Irina Anikeeva. This intermediate-level pullover is available in six sizes ranging from XS to 2XL, with finished bust circumferences from 36 inches (91 cm) to 46¾ inches (119 cm). The garment features a modern construction method combining in-the-round and flat knitting techniques, with intentional positive ease of 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Construction Techniques

The Janus Pullover employs a sophisticated mixed-method construction approach. The body is worked in the round up to the underarm, creating a seamless lower section. From the underarm upward, the upper front and back are worked separately in flat knitting (back and forth). The sleeves are picked up from the armhole and worked in the round from the top down, utilizing short-row shaping to create a properly fitted sleeve cap. This combination of circular and flat knitting allows for both efficiency and design flexibility.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pullover features two primary stitch patterns worked at different gauges. The main fabric is worked in Stockinette Stitch, which creates a smooth, classic knit surface. The design also incorporates cable patterns as a decorative element. The cable charts are worked both in rounds and in rows, allowing the cable motifs to integrate seamlessly across the body regardless of the construction method being used at any given point.

Yarn and Gauge

This design calls for approximately 1090 to 1530 yards of worsted weight yarn, depending on the size selected. The yardage requirement increases with each size: XS requires 1090 yards, S requires 1170 yards, M requires 1290 yards, L requires 1360 yards, XL requires 1460 yards, and 2XL requires 1530 yards.

Gauge is critical for proper fit in this pullover. For Stockinette Stitch sections, the gauge is 20 stitches and 27 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) when worked on size US 8 (5 mm) needles and measured after blocking. For the cable pattern sections, the gauge is slightly tighter at 25.5 stitches and 26.5 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) on the same needle size, also measured after blocking. The difference in gauge between stitch patterns is typical and accounts for the density created by cable stitches.

Materials Required

Knitters will need size US 8 (5 mm needles for this project. The pattern is formatted as a downloadable PDF, making it accessible for immediate use. Blocking is an essential finishing step, as all gauge measurements are taken after blocking, which helps even out the stitches and ensure accurate finished measurements.