Rundstrom Pullover

Rundstrom Pullover by Julliana Lund

What is Being Made

The Rundstrom Pullover is an intermediate-level knitted sweater designed to accentuate your natural shape through strategic use of texture and color. This pullover is available in nine finished bust sizes ranging from 34 to 58 inches, with a suggested ease of -3 to 0 inches for a fitted silhouette. The design accommodates various body types and preferences with customizable sizing options.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Rundstrom Pullover employs a sophisticated bottom-up construction approach. The body is worked in separate pieces that are later seamed together. Once the front and back body panels are completed and seamed, the set-in long sleeves are picked up from the armhole edges and worked top-down. The sleeves incorporate short rows as a shaping technique, allowing for proper sleeve cap fit and professional finishing.

This construction method provides several advantages: it allows knitters to try on the garment as they progress, makes it easier to achieve proper fit, and enables the use of contrasting colors and textures in specific areas of the design.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

• Circular cables are worked along both the front and back body panels, creating vertical lines of texture that help define and flatter the wearer's silhouette
• Ribbing is used on the side panels to provide custom waist shaping, cinching the sweater at the sides for an enhanced fit
• Ribbing finishes the crew neckline and sleeve cuffs, providing structure and preventing curling at the edges

Yarn and Materials

The Rundstrom Pullover is designed for worsted weight yarn, offering excellent stitch definition and durability. Yardage requirements vary by size:

• Main Color: Approximately 975 to 1,950 yards depending on finished bust size (975 yards for size 34 inches through 1,950 yards for size 58 inches)
• Contrast Color: Approximately 300 to 700 yards depending on finished bust size (300 yards for size 34 inches through 700 yards for size 58 inches)

The pattern sample is worked in Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Tweed, using the colorways "Thirst Heather" for the main color and "Farmhouse" for the contrast color. This yarn choice provides excellent stitch definition for the cable and ribbing work while offering the durability and warmth of a wool blend.

Design Flexibility

The Rundstrom Pullover offers significant creative flexibility. While the pattern sample showcases a two-color design with contrasting cables and body panels, knitters have the option to work the entire sweater in a single color if preferred. This adaptability makes the pattern suitable for various yarn stash options and personal aesthetic preferences.