Have you ever looked at a beautifully cabled sweater and thought, “I wish I could make that”?

Meet Julissa, the sweater pattern that proves you can …

Back in 2011, I set out to design the sweater I wished I had when I first started knitting garments. I wanted something stunning but approachable. Something that looked intricate but was secretly easy to make. A pattern that could help knitters take that big, scary leap into sweater-making without feeling left in the dark.

That’s how Julissa—my very first garment pattern—was born. It’s a top-down, beautifully detailed, boat neck raglan pullover that quickly became the first-ever sweater for so many knitters. But just like every knitter evolves, so do patterns.

Fast forward 10 years to 2021, and I knew Julissa deserved more. In that decade, I had learned so much about fit, shaping, finishing techniques, and how to make my knitting patterns more intuitive. I cared about this design too much to leave it in the past, so I completely updated it with everything I’d learned:

• Expanded size range to meet today’s size-inclusivity standards
• More refined shaping for the neckline and larger busts
• Extra guidance on customization for different body types and fit preferences
• Detailed explanations and links to video tutorials for professional shaping and finishing techniques
• More printer-friendly and interactive

This pattern is an oldie but a goodie; a legacy piece that has grown and improved right alongside me and the knitters who’ve made it. Ready to become a part of its history?

Why knitters love Julissa

• Looks impressive, knits like a dream. The cables and lace might seem fancy, but I included both charted and written instructions that walk you through every step. You’ll find yourself enjoying the process.

• Feels like it was made just for you. 18 sizes with detailed bust shaping and customization notes so you can dial in the fit. No guessing games.

• Perfect for a first sweater. I designed this thinking about knitters who are ready to graduate from accessories and take on their first garment. Lots have made Julissa their first sweater, and they wear them proudly.

• … but it’s also great for experienced knitters looking for something beautiful and engaging!

• Try it on as you knit. Because it’s top-down, you can adjust things as you go. You’ll know exactly how it fits before you’re done.

• You’ll learn as you make it. The techniques you’ll pick up along the way are ones you’ll use again and again.

What you get

• Instant PDF download. Cast on whenever you’re ready.
• Clear, step-by-step instructions.
• 18 sizes & two sleeve lengths to choose from. You’re not one-size-fits-all, and your sweater shouldn’t be either.
• Bonus knitting wisdom. Tips on fit adjustments, polished finishing techniques, and video tutorials for visual learners.
• A gorgeous, well-fitting sweater that actually works for your body. Even if this is your first time knitting anything with sleeves.

The Knitty-Gritty

DESCRIPTION
Julissa is a modern raglan pullover knit seamlessly from the top down using a worsted weight yarn. A wide neckline, striking cable and lace details, three‑quarter length or full-length sleeves (your choice!), and a bit of waist shaping all together create this feminine, easy-to‑knit top. Short rows are used to lower the front neckline for a comfortable fit, and instructions are also provided for adding bust darts, if necessary. Wear this beautifully fitted sweater with your favorite pair of jeans and a complementary colored tee or tank top underneath.

Originally published as my first sweater pattern in 2011, this pattern was revised in 2021 to be size inclusive and to improve the fit of preexisting sizes while staying true to the original sweater’s look and feel.

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) [8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13] {14, 15, 16, 17, 18}

FINISHED BUST CIRCUMFERENCES

• In Inches: 30.5 (32, 34.5, 36, 38.5, 40, 42.5) [44, 46.5, 48, 50.5, 52, 54.5] {56, 58.5, 60, 62.5, 64}”
• In Centimeters: 76 (80, 86, 90, 96, 100, 106) [110, 116, 120, 126, 130, 136] {140, 146, 150, 156, 160} cm

Pullover is intended to fit with 1–3” (2.5–7.5 cm) of negative ease and no positive ease at the full bust. Sample shown in size 3 with 1.5” (4 cm) of negative ease and no bust darts.

YARN
Plied, worsted weight yarn in the following amount(s):

• With 3/4 Length Sleeves: 856 (896, 961, 1011, 1077, 1128, 1194) [1244, 1314, 1365, 1441, 1504, 1572] {1637, 1716, 1768, 1844, 1911} yards / 782 (820, 879, 924, 985, 1031, 1092) 1138, 1202, 1248, 1318, 1375, 1438 {1497, 1569, 1616, 1686, 1747} meters

• For Long Sleeves, Add: 136 (141, 146, 155, 160, 164, 169) [179, 183, 192, 202, 211, 221] {230, 239, 249, 253, 263} yards / 125 (129, 133, 142, 146, 151, 154) 163, 167, 176, 184, 193, 202 {210, 219, 228, 232, 241} meters

Sample shown in Malabrigo Rios [worsted weight, 100% superwash merino wool] in colorway ‘Azul Profundo.’

NEEDLES

• US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle, 24” (60 cm), or needle size necessary to obtain correct gauge
• US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needle, 24” (60 cm), or needle size .75 mm smaller than gauge needle
• Circular needles in the same two sizes, 32” (80 cm) or longer, as appropriate for the sweater size chosen
• Appropriate needle(s) in both sizes for your preferred method of knitting small circumferences in the round

GAUGE
20 sts and 29 rnds = 4” (10 cm) in stockinette stitch worked in the round using larger needles, blocked

NOTIONS

• (1) Stitch marker, unique, for beginning of round
• (3) Stitch markers, color A, for raglan lines
• (6) Stitch markers, color B, for cable panels
• (2) Removable markers, to mark centers of underarms
• Cable needle
• Tapestry needle
• Waste yarn or two spare circular needles/cords, for placing sleeve stitches on hold

Browsing projects that were made using the original instructions? Pattern published from November 2011 through November 2021 was available in sizes 2XS (XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL), which had finished circumferences of 29¼ (32, 34½, 36½, 40, 43½, 48, 51½)” or 74 (81, 88, 93, 102, 110, 122, 131) cm at the high bust. Original photos (with brown background) show sweater in size XS with 2” of negative ease.

Détails sur le modèle (français)

DESCRIPTION
Julissa est un pull raglan moderne, tricoté sans coutures de haut en bas avec un fil de grosseur worsted. Une encolure large, des détails marquants en torsades et en dentelle, des manches trois-quarts ou longues (au choix !) et un léger cintrage à la taille s’associent pour créer un haut féminin, à la fois facile et agréable à tricoter. Des rangs raccourcis sont utilisés pour abaisser l’encolure devant et offrir un ajustement confortable. Des instructions sont également incluses pour ajouter des pinces au niveau de la poitrine si nécessaire. Portez ce joli pull ajusté avec votre jean préféré et un t-shirt ou un débardeur assorti en dessous.

Publié pour la première fois en 2011 comme tout premier patron de pull, ce modèle a été révisé en 2021 afin d’inclure plus de tailles et d’améliorer l’ajustement des tailles existantes, tout en restant fidèle au style et à l’esprit du modèle original.

TAILLES
1 (2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7) [8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13] {14; 15; 16; 17; 18}

CIRCONFÉRENCE FINALE DE LA POITRINE
76 (80; 86; 90; 96; 100; 106) [110; 116; 120; 126; 130; 136] {140; 146; 150; 156; 160} cm

Le pull est conçu pour être porté avec 2,5 cm à 7,5 cm d’aisance négative, sans aisance positive au niveau du tour de poitrine. Le modèle présenté est tricoté en taille 3 avec 4 cm d’aisance négative et sans pinces au niveau de la poitrine.

FIL
Fil worsted, retordu, dans les quantités suivantes :

• Pour des manches trois-quarts : 782 (820; 879; 924; 985; 1031; 1092) [1138; 1202; 1248; 1318; 1375; 1438] {1497; 1569; 1616; 1686; 1747} mètres
• Pour des manches longues, ajouter : 125 (129; 133; 142; 146; 151; 154) [163; 167; 176; 184; 193; 202] {210; 219; 228; 232; 241} mètres

Le modèle présenté est tricoté en Malabrigo Rios [worsted, 100 % laine mérinos superwash], coloris « Azul Profundo ».

AIGUILLES

• Aiguille circulaire de 4,5 mm (ou toute autre taille nécessaire pour obtenir l’échantillon indiqué), 60 cm
• Aiguille circulaire de 3,75 mm (ou 0,75 mm de moins que la grande aiguille), 60 cm
• Aiguilles circulaires dans ces deux tailles, 80 cm ou plus, selon la taille de pull choisie
• Aiguille(s) appropriée(s) dans les deux tailles pour votre méthode préférée de tricot en rond sur petits diamètres

ÉCHANTILLON
20 m et 29 tours = 10 cm en jersey, tricoté en rond avec la grande aiguille, après blocage

ACCESSOIRES

• (1) marqueur, distinct, pour le début du tour
• (3) marqueurs, couleur A, pour les lignes raglan
• (6) marqueurs, couleur B, pour les panneaux de torsades
• (2) marqueurs amovibles, pour identifier le centre de l’aisselle
• aiguille à torsades
• aiguille à laine
• fil de secours ou deux aiguilles circulaires/câbles de rechange, pour mettre les mailles des manches en attente

#sizeinclusive