Riddim

Riddim Knit Sweater by Gege à la Gomme

What is Being Made

Riddim is a flattering tunic-length V-neck pullover sweater designed by independent designer Gege à la Gomme. This knit garment features a sophisticated striped pattern that circles around the neckline and extends down the front of the sweater, creating a striking visual focal point. The tunic length and V-neck silhouette make this design versatile for layering and flattering across various body types.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to create its finished structure. The sweater is constructed using circular needles, allowing for seamless knitting in the round for the body and sleeves. The neckline features a V-neck shaping, which requires careful decreasing to achieve the proper depth and angle. The signature striped detail that circles the neckline and travels down the front demonstrates color work and strategic placement of contrasting yarn sections within the overall design.

The pattern utilizes both circular needles and double-pointed needles (DPNs) for different sections of the garment, with a crochet hook incorporated for finishing details. This multi-tool approach is typical of modern sweater construction and allows for seamless transitions between different parts of the garment.

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and techniques, including:

• CO: Cast on – the foundation stitches that begin the knitting
• BO: Bind off – the finishing technique that secures stitches and completes edges
• Inc: Increase – adding stitches to shape the garment
• Dec: Decrease – removing stitches for shaping, particularly important for the V-neck construction
• MC: Main color – the primary yarn shade used throughout most of the sweater
• CC: Contrasting color – the secondary yarn used for the distinctive striped neckline and front detail

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Riddim is designed to be worked in Malabrigo Rios, a premium yarn composed of 100% merino wool with a yardage of 210 yards per 100-gram skein. The pattern is sized to accommodate multiple gauges, requiring 6 to 8 skeins of Malabrigo Rios in the main color Playa, depending on the size being knit. An additional 1 skein of Malabrigo Rios in Natural serves as the contrasting color for the striped neckline and front design elements.

Needles and Tools

The project requires specific needle sizes to achieve proper gauge and construction:

• US 6 / 4 mm circular needle in 32-inch length – used for the main body of the sweater
• US 6 / 4 mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) – alternatively, a second circular needle may be used for working the sleeves and neckband
• 3.75 mm crochet hook – incorporated for finishing details

Needle size may be adjusted as needed to obtain the correct gauge specified in the pattern, ensuring the finished garment meets the intended dimensions and drape.

Pattern Details

This downloadable PDF pattern from Gege à la Gomme is suitable for intermediate-level knitters who have experience with circular needle construction, color work, and garment shaping. The tunic length and V-neck design create a modern, wearable silhouette, while the merino wool yarn provides softness, breathability, and excellent stitch definition for showcasing the striped detail work.