Estelle's Envy

Estelle's Envy by Deb Hoss

Garment Overview

Estelle's Envy is a slim-fitting pullover sweater designed by Deb Hoss, featuring a signature luxurious alpaca cowl collar. This intermediate-level knitting project combines a fitted body with an abundant, generously proportioned neckline treatment. The sweater is available in seven sizes ranging from 31 inches to 55 inches bust circumference (78.7 cm to 139.7 cm), with the sample shown in the size 35-inch (88.9 cm) version worn with no ease for a close, tailored fit.

Construction Method and Techniques

Estelle's Envy is worked primarily in the round from the bottom up, creating a mostly seamless garment that minimizes finishing work. The body and sleeves are both knitted circularly, which is characteristic of modern sweater design and allows for continuous knitting without interruption. The sleeve caps employ short row shaping at their ends before being set in, adding subtle shaping and a refined finish to the armholes. The cowl collar is created by picking up stitches around the neckline and working them in rib stitch using soft alpaca yarn, creating an elegant and comfortable neckline finish.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

This pattern requires intermediate knitting skills and incorporates several essential stitch techniques:

• Long-tail cast-on for the foundation edge
• Circular knitting for seamless body and sleeve construction
• Decreases: ssk (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog (knit two together) for shaping
• Increases: m1L (make one left) and m1R (make one right) for graduated shaping
• Three-needle bind-off for secure seaming
• Short row shaping for sleeve cap definition
• Stitch pick-up for the collar neckline
• Rib stitch for the alpaca collar trim and elastic recovery

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Estelle's Envy is designed to be worked in sport weight yarn, a lightweight yet durable yarn category ideal for fitted garments with excellent drape and wearability. The luxurious collar is specifically crafted from soft alpaca dk yarn, which is slightly heavier than sport weight and provides a sumptuous, comfortable texture against the skin. The combination of sport weight for the body and alpaca dk for the collar creates both visual and tactile contrast, with the alpaca adding a premium, indulgent quality to the neckline. Circular needles are required for the in-the-round construction of both the body and sleeves.

Finishing and Blocking

Proper blocking is recommended to set the stitches and achieve the intended finished measurements and fit. The mostly seamless construction minimizes seaming work, with only the sleeve caps requiring set-in finishing after short row shaping.