Nike Pullover in Adriafil Azzurra - Downloadable PDF

Nike Pullover in Adriafil Azzurra – Free Knitting Pattern (Downloadable PDF)

This free downloadable PDF pattern provides complete instructions for knitting the Nike Pullover, a classic fitted sweater worked in Adriafil Azzurra yarn. The design is a timeless, structured pullover featuring shaped sides, set-in sleeves, and a neat neckline, making it an excellent project for intermediate knitters looking to develop their garment-shaping skills. The pattern is written for size 42 (44–46), offering three size options to suit a range of fits.

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: Adriafil Azzurra in wine red, shade no. 41 – 400 g required
• Needle sizes: 2.5 mm (no. 2½) and 4.5 mm (no. 4½) knitting needles
• Additional tools: tapestry needle for seaming and finishing

Adriafil Azzurra is a 4-ply weight yarn, which gives the finished pullover a fine, elegant drape while still providing enough stitch definition to showcase the textural contrast between the ribbed borders and the smooth knit stitch body. The wine red colourway (no. 41) lends the garment a rich, sophisticated tone suitable for both casual and smart-casual wear.

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct tension is essential for accurate sizing. The pattern specifies a gauge of 28 stitches and 38 rows to 10 × 10 cm, measured over knit stitch using 2.5 mm needles. Knitters are advised to work a tension swatch before beginning and to adjust needle size if necessary to match this gauge precisely.

Pattern Stitches and Techniques

• Elastic rib – used at the beginning and end of certain sections to provide stretch and structure at the cast-on edges
• K1/P1 rib stitch – the classic one-by-one rib used for the sleeve borders, creating a neat, stretchy cuff finish
• P1/K1 rib stitch – a variation used in the sleeve body section, adding textural interest before transitioning to the main fabric
• Knit stitch (stockinette / stocking stitch) – the primary fabric of the body and upper sleeves, worked on the right side to produce a smooth, flat surface
• Knit stitch cast-off for elastic rib – a specific cast-off method used to maintain the elasticity of the ribbed borders when binding off

Construction and Shaping – Back

The back is cast on using 2.5 mm needles with 127 (136–145) stitches and worked in elastic rib for 2 cm to form the lower border. The work then continues in knit stitch. Waist shaping is achieved through a series of side decreases – 1 stitch every 20 rows, 3 times, followed by 1 stitch every 14 rows, twice – creating a subtle fitted silhouette. The shaping is then reversed with increases of 1 stitch every 10 rows, 3 times, beginning when the work measures 25 (26–27) cm from the border.

Armhole shaping begins at 34 (36–38) cm from the border. Stitches are cast off at each end, then decreases are worked inside 3 stitches to keep the edges clean for seaming. Shoulder shaping involves casting off 1 stitch every 2 rows, 15 times at each end, with simultaneous neck decreases worked inside 5 stitches. The remaining 47 (52–57) stitches at the centre back neck are then cast off.

Construction and Shaping – Front

The front is worked identically to the back up to the armhole shaping point at 34 (36–38) cm. The armhole shaping on the front involves slightly different stitch counts – casting off 2 (3–3