Kirra sweater

Kirra Sweater by Irina Lyubaeva

What is Being Made

The Kirra sweater is a top-down knitted pullover featuring an unshaped, relaxed silhouette with approximately 3 to 4 inches (7 to 10 cm) of positive ease. This intermediate-level design showcases a roll neck collar, a deep raglan yoke, and decorative stitch patterning across the back and sleeves. The sweater is constructed in one piece, making it an efficient project for knitters seeking a classic, wearable garment with textured detail.

Design Features and Silhouette

The Kirra sweater offers versatility across six size options, accommodating bust circumferences from 35.5 inches to 47 inches (90 to 120 cm). The design includes an Aran panel on the back, a traditional stitch pattern known for its dimensional, raised texture, paired with cable stitch patterns on the sleeves. The roll neck provides a classic neckline finish, while the deep raglan yoke creates a comfortable shoulder fit. The positive ease ensures the sweater sits gracefully on the body without clinging.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Top-down construction: The sweater is worked from the neckline downward in a single continuous piece, eliminating the need for seaming
• Raglan shaping: Increases are worked along raglan lines to create the deep yoke structure
• Cable knitting: Requires crossing stitches over one another to create twisted, rope-like textures
• Aran stitch work: A traditional Irish knitting technique featuring raised, dimensional patterns
• Gauge swatching: Pattern instructions recommend creating, washing, blocking, and measuring a gauge swatch before beginning the project

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Kirra sweater incorporates cable stitches on the sleeves and an Aran panel on the back, both of which are hallmark stitch patterns in traditional knitting. These textured stitches require careful attention to stitch counts and crossing techniques. The roll neck is typically worked in ribbing to create elasticity and a finished edge. Knitters should be comfortable reading stitch charts and managing multiple stitch pattern repeats simultaneously, as befits the intermediate difficulty level.

Materials and Tools

The Kirra sweater is designed for sport weight yarn, requiring approximately 1,300 to 1,900 yards (1,200 to 1,700 meters) depending on the finished size. For the medium size pictured in the pattern, 4 skeins of sport weight yarn were used. The pattern specifies choosing yarn that holds cables well, meaning yarn with good stitch definition and memory to showcase the textured stitches prominently. Knitters will need knitting needles appropriate for sport weight yarn, typically in the US 4 to 6 range, along with stitch markers and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends. Blocking equipment is recommended for finishing the completed sweater.