Killington Top-Down Pullover #114

Killington Top-Down Pullover #114 by Sue McCain

What Is Being Made

The Killington Top-Down Pullover is a women's worsted weight pullover sweater designed by Sue McCain for intermediate knitters. This garment features a top-down construction method, meaning knitting begins at the neckline and progresses downward to complete the body and sleeves. The pullover is available in an extensive range of sizes from XXS through 6X-Large, with finished measurements spanning from 30 inches to 70 inches across the bust. The design includes a cowl collar as a distinctive neckline feature. The sweater is engineered with 6 inches of ease built into the sizing for comfortable, relaxed wear.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level project employs several key knitting techniques characteristic of top-down sweater construction:

• Top-down construction: The sweater is knit from the neckline downward, allowing for easy fitting adjustments and the ability to try on the garment as you work
• Circular knitting: The body is worked in the round using circular needles to create seamless fabric
• Cowl collar shaping: The neckline features a cowl collar, which requires increases and shaping techniques to create the characteristic draped effect
• Sleeve cap shaping: Sleeves are shaped using increases to transition from the body to the armhole area
• Double-pointed needle work: Sleeves transition to double-pointed needles for the final decreasing rounds as the sleeve diameter reduces toward the cuff

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used throughout the Killington Top-Down Pullover is Stockinette stitch (St st), which creates the classic smooth, V-textured fabric characteristic of most pullover sweaters. Stockinette stitch is worked by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side when working flat, or by knitting every round when working in the round as this pattern does.

Materials: Yarn, Needles, and Notions

Yarn: This pattern calls for worsted weight baby alpaca yarn. The yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 1005 yards for XXS to 2140 yards for 6X-Large. The model garment was knit using Plymouth Yarn Baby Alpaca Aire, which is 100% alpaca fiber with a yardage of 218 yards per 100 grams. Knitters planning to lengthen the body or sleeves are advised to purchase additional yarn beyond the specified amounts.

Needles: The pattern requires Size 10.5 (6.5 mm) circular needles in multiple lengths: a 12-inch circular needle for sizes XXS through Large, a 16-inch circular needle for all sizes, and a 29-inch or longer circular needle for the body. Additionally, one set of five double-pointed needles in Size 10.5 (6.5 mm) is needed for sleeve construction. For the cowl collar, separate Size 11 (8 mm) and Size 13 (9 mm) circular needles, 16 inches long, are required. Needle sizes may be adjusted as needed to achieve the correct gauge.

Notions and Gauge: Additional supplies include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, two removable stitch markers for marking specific locations, and waste yarn for holding stitches. The pattern is worked to a gauge of 16 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.