FAENO

FAENO Pullover by Tête Bêche Designs

What is Being Made

The FAENO Pullover is a top-down knitted sweater designed by Orlane Sucche for the Fall 2020 collection. This pullover is available in nine graduated sizes, ranging from 36.25 inches to 67.25 inches bust circumference, making it suitable for a wide range of body types. The garment is worked seamlessly in the round, creating a polished, professional finish without the need for seaming.

Techniques Used

The FAENO Pullover employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its construction and fit. The sweater is worked in the round from the top down, a method that allows knitters to try on the garment as they work and adjust the length to their preference. This technique requires circular needles and provides a continuous fabric without interruption. The pattern utilizes stockinette stitch as the primary fabric, which creates a smooth, refined surface ideal for showcasing the qualities of the yarn. Shaping is incorporated throughout the design to ensure proper fit across different sizes, with positive ease recommendations of 4 to 8 inches to allow for comfortable wearing and layering.

Stitches Used

The FAENO Pullover is primarily constructed using stockinette stitch, the foundational stitch that forms the body of the sweater. This classic stitch creates a flat, smooth fabric with a recognizable V-pattern on the right side and horizontal bumps on the wrong side. The pattern instructions reference specific rounds, indicating that shaping and stitch manipulation occur at strategic points throughout the construction to create the garment's silhouette and ensure proper fit at the shoulders, underarms, and waistline.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The FAENO Pullover is designed to be knitted with Woolfolk Får, a premium yarn composed of 100% Ovis 21 Ultimate Merino®. This merino wool yarn is spun at a worsted weight, providing excellent stitch definition and durability. Each skein contains 142 yards and weighs 50 grams. Yardage requirements range from 994 yards (7 skeins for size 1) to 1,988 yards (14 skeins for size 9), allowing knitters to select the appropriate quantity based on their chosen size.

The pattern calls for two sizes of circular needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) needles in both 16-inch and 32-inch lengths for working the main fabric, and US 6 (4 mm) needles in 16-inch and 32-inch lengths plus a set of double-pointed needles for ribbed edgings and cuff work. This needle combination allows for gauge control and the ability to work both larger circumference sections and smaller diameter areas such as necklines and cuffs. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and waste yarn for securing stitches during construction.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 19 stitches and 28 rounds equal 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger US 7 needles, after blocking. Achieving this gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements. The sweater is blocked after completion to even out the stitches and set the fabric, ensuring professional results and accurate sizing.

Difficulty Level

The FAENO Pullover is rated as an intermediate project, suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle seamless construction and top-down shaping. Knitters should be comfortable working in the round on circular needles, reading pattern instructions, and managing increases and decreases for garment shaping.