Peacock Plumes Sweater in Loopy Mango Summer Cotton - Downloadable PDF

Peacock Plumes Sweater in Loopy Mango Summer Cotton – Pattern Summary

The Peacock Plumes Sweater is a beautifully textured pullover sweater designed by Loopy Mango, worked in their 100% cotton yarn Summer. This intermediate-to-advanced knitting pattern produces a garment featuring a striking lace panel known as the "Peacock Plumes" motif, set against a clean stockinette background and finished with a classic ribbed hem. The result is a lightweight yet visually dramatic sweater that showcases the elegance of lace knitting in a chunky-weight cotton yarn.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a pullover sweater available in two sizes: XS/S and S/M. The finished measurements vary by size:

• XS/S: 19 inches (48 cm) wide side seam to side seam, 17 inches (43 cm) shoulder to hem, with a 13-inch (33 cm) sleeve length
• S/M: 23 inches (59 cm) wide, 20 inches (51 cm) long, with a 17-inch (43 cm) sleeve length

The sweater is constructed in separate pieces — front, back, and sleeves — and then seamed together. Its defining feature is a repeated lace motif panel that runs vertically through the body of the garment, evoking the fan-like shape of peacock plumes.

Materials Required

The yarn used throughout this pattern is Loopy Mango Summer, a 100% cotton chunky-weight yarn that comes in 3.5 oz (100 g) skeins, each containing approximately 90 yards (82 m). The quantity needed depends on size:

• XS/S: 5 balls of Summer
• S/M: 6 balls of Summer

Needle size also varies by size to achieve the correct gauge:

• XS/S: US 15 (10 mm) circular needles, 20 inches (50 cm) in length
• S/M: US 17 (12 mm) circular needles, 20 inches (50 cm) in length

Circular needles are used here for their flexibility in handling stitches, even though the pieces are worked flat in rows rather than in the round. This is a common approach when working with a large stitch count on chunky yarn.

Gauge

Achieving the correct gauge is essential to ensure the finished sweater matches the intended measurements. The gauge for this pattern is measured over stockinette stitch:

• US 15 (10 mm) needles: 5 stitches and 6 rows per 2 inches (5 cm)
• US 17 (12 mm) needles: 4 stitches and 5 rows per 2 inches (5 cm)

Because the two sizes use different needle sizes rather than different stitch counts alone, knitters should swatch carefully before beginning to confirm they are working at the correct tension for their chosen size.

Stitches and Techniques Used

This pattern is rated Adventurous Intermediate to Advanced, making it best suited for knitters who are comfortable with lace knitting and multi-step decrease techniques. The following stitches and techniques are used throughout:

• Knit (K) and Purl (P): The foundational stitches of knitting, used throughout for ribbing, stockinette, and as part of the lace pattern
• Rib Stitch (K1, P1 ribbing): Used at the hem and cuffs to create a stretchy, structured edge. Ribbing is worked by alternating knit and purl stitches across the row, then reversing the pattern on the return row
• Stockinette Stitch: Worked by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, creating the smooth fabric that frames the lace panel
• Yarn Over (yo): A decorative increase that creates an eyelet