Margay

Margay Pullover by Jennifer Wood

What Is Being Made

Margay is a top-down pullover sweater designed by Jennifer Wood and available as a downloadable PDF knitting pattern. This garment features a sophisticated compound raglan yoke construction that creates a flattering silhouette. The sweater is offered in 11 sizes with finished bust measurements ranging from 30.25 inches (75.5 cm) to 60 inches (150 cm), accommodating a wide range of body sizes. The pattern is modeled with no ease at the bust, allowing for a close, refined fit.

Construction Method and Techniques

Margay is worked top-down in one continuous piece, a construction method that allows knitters to try on the garment as they progress and easily customize the length. The defining feature of this sweater is its compound raglan construction for the yoke. This advanced shaping technique distributes increases strategically across the yoke area, creating a more anatomically flattering fit compared to traditional raglan shaping. The yoke transitions smoothly into the body and sleeves, and the pattern incorporates charted stitch patterns in the sleeve sections, adding visual interest and texture to the finished garment.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The main body of Margay is worked in Stockinette Stitch, a fundamental knitting stitch that creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat appearance on the right side. The sleeves feature a Sleeve Chart pattern, which introduces a more complex stitch pattern or colorwork design to the arm sections. This combination of simple stockinette with charted pattern work creates visual contrast and demonstrates intermediate-level knitting skills.

Yarn and Materials

Margay is designed to be knitted with Madelinetosh Pashmina, a luxury yarn composed of 75% superwash merino wool, 15% silk, and 10% cashmere. This fiber blend creates a soft, breathable fabric with excellent drape and durability. The yarn is available in the colorway Glazed Pecan, a warm, neutral tone. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 635 yards (580 meters) for the smallest size to 1,555 yards (1,425 meters) for the largest, requiring between 2 and 5 skeins depending on the finished size. Each skein contains 360 yards (329 meters).

Needles and Gauge

This pattern requires size 3/3.25mm circular needles in two lengths: a 16-inch (40 cm) needle for the yoke and a 24-inch (60 cm) or longer needle for the body. A set of 4 or 5 double-pointed needles in the same size is needed for working the crown of the yoke and potentially for sleeve cap shaping. The correct gauge is 22 stitches and 30 rounds over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch, with sleeve chart patterns measuring 17 stitches over 2.5 inches (6.5 cm). Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements.

Additional Supplies

Beyond yarn and needles, knitters will need stitch markers to track pattern repeats and raglan increases, stitch holders or waste yarn to hold stitches during construction, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming any necessary sections.

Difficulty Level

Margay is rated as an intermediate knitting project. While the main body uses basic Stockinette Stitch, the compound raglan yoke construction and charted sleeve patterns require solid foundational skills and the ability to read pattern charts and manage multiple increases across a yoke section. This pattern is well-suited for knitters who have completed several basic projects and are ready to tackle more sophisticated shaping techniques.