Phryne Pullover

Phryne Pullover by Taiga Hilliard Designs

Garment Overview

The Phryne Pullover is a feminine knitted pullover sweater designed by Taiga Hilliard Designs, featuring distinctive lace raglan increases that create an elegant visual detail along the sleeve cap. This advanced-level knitting pattern offers versatility with two sleeve options: a cap sleeve or classic half sleeve, allowing knitters to customize the finished garment to their preference. The sweater is constructed using a top-down, seamless knitting method worked completely in the round, resulting in a polished, professional finish.

Construction Technique

The Phryne Pullover employs top-down raglan construction, a popular technique for seamless garment knitting. This method begins at the neckline and progresses downward, with increases strategically placed along the raglan lines to shape the armholes and sleeve caps. The lace raglan increases are a signature design element, integrating decorative lace patterning directly into the structural increases of the garment. This technique requires circular needles and the ability to work in the round, which eliminates the need for seaming and creates a continuous fabric.

Lace Pattern and Stitch Details

The lace design is provided in two formats for knitter convenience: charted instructions and written-out row-by-row instructions. The pattern incorporates multiple advanced knitting stitches essential for creating the lace effect and shaping the garment:

• Yarn overs (YO) – create the openwork characteristic of lace patterns
• Decreases including K2tog, K3tog, SSK, and SSSK – balance the yarn overs and shape the raglan increases
• Kfb (knit into the front and back) – an increase stitch that creates additional stitches within the fabric
• M1-P (make one purl) – a refined increase technique for seamless shaping
• Knit and purl stitches – form the foundational fabric structure
• Marker manipulation (place marker, slip marker, remove marker) – essential for tracking pattern repeats and raglan increase lines in circular knitting

Yarn and Needle Specifications

The pattern is designed for Malabrigo Silky Merino yarn, a versatile fiber choice that offers flexibility for different seasons. The yarn weight and fiber content make this pattern suitable for both summer and winter garments: bamboo blends work well for warm-weather versions, while wool provides insulation for cooler seasons. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches, which is typical for fingering to sport-weight yarns.

Needles required include US size 6 (4.00 mm) circular needles for the main fabric and US size 5 (3.50 mm) circular needles for ribbed sections, though knitters should adjust sizes as needed to achieve the specified gauge. Circular needles are essential for working the garment in the round.

Sizing and Yardage Requirements

The Phryne Pullover is available in nine sizes ranging from XXS to 4XL, with chest measurements from 29 inches to 51 inches. Yardage requirements scale with size, beginning at 500 yards for the smallest size and increasing to 1,200 yards for the largest size, allowing knitters to select yarn quantities appropriate for their chosen size.

Skill Level and Pattern Suitability

This pattern is designated as advanced difficulty, making it suitable for experienced knitters with solid foundational skills. The combination of top-down raglan construction, lace pattern work, and seamless in-the-round knitting requires comfort with multiple techniques and the ability to read both charted and written instructions. The pattern's complexity and the precision required for the lace raglan increases make it an excellent project for knitters seeking to expand their advanced technique repertoire.