Shannonmore: Women's

Shannonmore: Women's Sweater by Melissa Leapman

What Is Being Made

Shannonmore is a women's knitted sweater designed by Melissa Leapman. This advanced-level garment is constructed in pieces from the bottom up and then sewn together after blocking. The sweater is available in six sizes, ranging from a finished bust measurement of 35 inches (89 cm) to 56 inches (142 cm), with corresponding lengths from 24 inches (61 cm) to 26 inches (66 cm). The design is intended to be worn with 2 to 4 inches of positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Knitting Techniques

This pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for an advanced crafter. The sweater is worked in separate pieces—including the front, back, and sleeves—which are then assembled through seaming after the completed pieces have been blocked to their finished dimensions. This construction method allows for precise shaping and a professional finish. The pattern includes detailed shaping instructions for armholes and shoulders, requiring the knitter to work decreases and bind-offs at strategic points to create proper garment structure and fit.

Stitches Used

• 1x1 Rib: An even-stitch pattern worked by alternating knit and purl stitches across every row (K1, P1 repeat). This elastic stitch is commonly used for cuffs, waistbands, and necklines to provide stretch and recovery.
• Moss Stitch: A textured stitch pattern worked over an odd number of stitches. Row 1 (right side) begins with K1, P1 repeat, ending with K1. Rows 2 and 3 reverse this sequence (P1, K1 repeat, ending with P1). Row 4 repeats Row 1. This creates a subtle, bumpy texture that is both visually interesting and structurally stable.

Materials and Yarn Weight

Shannonmore is designed to be worked in worsted weight yarn. The suggested yarn is Green Mountain Spinnery Weekend Wool, which yields 140 yards per 128 meters per skein. The pattern requires 11 to 15 skeins depending on the finished size selected (11 skeins for the smallest size, 35 inches, up to 15 skeins for the largest size, 56 inches). Worsted weight yarn is a versatile, medium-weight option that knits at a moderate gauge, making it suitable for creating garments with good drape and durability. The pattern specifies appropriate needle sizes for this yarn weight, though specific needle recommendations would be detailed in the complete pattern instructions.