Some say that Coco Chanel is responsible for making stripes fashionable, and some say they became popular due to the modernism of the 1920s. Regardless, together with gingham and plaid, stripes are one of the most traditional clothing patterns. Yet, they're elegant and never go out of fashion. A striped sweater is a classic staple piece in any woman’s wardrobe.
We selected three patterns for striped sweaters that will surely stay in your closet for a long time.
Elton Pullover is one of Joji Locatelli’s newest releases. It’s a lightweight sweater with a crew neck and elbow-length sleeves.
It has a drop-shoulder construction knit seamlessly from the top down. The sweater's interesting striped texture results from alternating some rows knit with a fingering-weight merino yarn and others knit with lace-weight mohair.
The bust circumference ranges from 44 to 80" (110 to 200 cm). The measurements may seem too big, but you should take into account around 16” (40 cm) of positive ease.
We can’t talk about stripes without mentioning Veera Välimaki’s designs. In 2021, Veera released a book called "Stripes" (Raidat, in Finnish) with Laine Publishing. The book is a compilation of 20 new patterns, including sweaters, cardigans, and accessories.
Inspired by the classic sailor sweater, one of my favorite designs from the book is called Maija. It has an interesting top-down construction that starts at the shoulders, which forms an almost square neckline.
The sample piece was knit in La Bien Aimée Merino Sport in blue, greyish beige, and neon yellow. The pattern is supposed to be worn oversized with around 8” (20 cm) of positive ease. It’s available in 9 sizes, with a bust measurement range from 40 to 72” (110 to 180 cm).
Paula Leme’s Dusk Pullover is part of a Warmth collection she created in collaboration with Adella Dutra of Woolmade. The sweater has a casual look and is super easy to style. The pattern is knit from the bottom up, with the body and sleeves worked separately and then joined at the yoke.
The sample was knit in a DK-weight merino and cashmere blend yarn. The pattern was designed to fit with 4 to 6” (10-16 cm) of positive ease and is available in 9 sizes, with a bust measurement range from 35.5 to 54.75" (102 to 161 cm).
If you can't get enough of striped sweaters, why not check out Sweater no.22?
