MATTEO

MATTEO Knitted Sweater by Regina Moessmer

What Is Being Made

MATTEO is a downloadable knitting pattern for a pullover sweater designed by Regina Moessmer. This intermediate-level project is available in an extensive size range from XS through 6XL, making it accessible to knitters seeking a versatile wardrobe staple. The pattern uses yarn held double throughout the entire garment construction, which creates a luxurious fabric weight and visual texture.

Craft and Technique Overview

This is a knitting project worked primarily in brioche stitch, a sophisticated technique that creates a reversible, highly elastic fabric with distinctive horizontal ridges. The half brioche stitch used for the main gauge creates a fabric that is both visually interesting and functionally comfortable. Brioche knitting requires understanding yarn overs and knit-through-below stitches, making this pattern suitable for knitters with intermediate experience who are comfortable with specialty stitch techniques.

Stitches and Construction Details

The primary stitch used throughout MATTEO is half brioche, which is worked at a gauge of 17 stitches by 36 rows over a 4 x 4 inch (10 x 10 cm) swatch on the larger needles after washing. This gauge specification is important for achieving the intended finished dimensions and drape of the sweater. The brioche construction method produces a fabric with excellent elasticity and recovery, ideal for a fitted or semi-fitted pullover silhouette.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The sample shown in the pattern is worked with LAMANA MILANO, a premium yarn blend consisting of 90% wool and 10% cashmere. This fiber composition provides warmth, softness, and a subtle sheen characteristic of cashmere-blended yarns. The yarn is classified as a 3-ply weight and is held double throughout the entire sweater, effectively creating a thicker working yarn from two strands worked simultaneously.

Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 2231 yards (2040 meters) for the XS size up to 3543 yards (3240 meters) for the 6XL size. In terms of ball quantities of LAMANA MILANO, knitters will need between 12 balls for the smallest sizes and 19 balls for the largest size. The pattern notes that these yardage figures reflect the double-held yarn; knitters substituting with a suitable single-weight yarn would require approximately half the stated yardage.

Needles and Tools Required

MATTEO is worked on US 7 (5 mm) circular needles and double-pointed needles (or the magic loop method as an alternative). Circular needles are used for the main body sections to accommodate the large stitch counts across the sweater width, while double-pointed needles or magic loop technique handle the smaller circumference sections such as sleeves and neckline. Knitters should select needle size based on achieving the specified gauge of 17 stitches by 36 rows in half brioche over 10 x 10 cm after washing.

Additional tools mentioned in the pattern include stitch holders for managing stitches during construction, though the pattern description was truncated in the provided materials.

Gauge and Finishing Considerations

The gauge specification for MATTEO is taken after washing the swatch, which is essential information for brioche knitting. Washing can affect the dimensions and elasticity of brioche fabric, so knitters must account for this in their gauge swatch preparation. Achieving the correct gauge ensures that the finished sweater will fit as designed and that the brioche stitch pattern will display its characteristic appearance and stretch properties.