The Equilibrium Jumper is a relaxed, drop-shoulder sweater that lives at the intersection of structure, mathematics, and modern garment architecture.
Built from modular triangles, the fabric tessellates into rhythmic, directional movement. Each triangle is knit and joined as you go, forming graphic strips that become the foundation of the sweater.
Once the panels are complete, stitches are picked up along the edges and the garment grows outward from the geometric base - an unexpected construction that is as satisfying as it looks. The 2x2 fair isle within each triangle adds depth and quiet complexity, with the stripes within each triangle meeting at sharp 60-degree angles.
The sweater is designed to be worn with 4-6” / 10-15cm of positive ease at the bust and approximately 4”+ / 10cm+ of positive ease at the bicep. Measure your bust, and go from there. The written pattern includes 5 sizes with a finished bust circumference of 36 (40, 44, 48, 52) inches; 91.5 (101.5, 112, 122, 132) cm.
A wardrobe staple, with plenty of details! While making this jumper, you’ll have the opportunity to practice some different machine knitting techniques including:
modular knitting
picking up and knitting off of selvage edges as well as live stitches
invisibly increasing multiple times within a row
knitted-on, foldover trims (at neckline and cuffs)
decreasing in fairisle pattern
short row shaping (at shoulders as well as front and back necklines)
gathering stitches
attaching ribbed hems
color planning and/or liberation
This pattern is a 57 page PDF with detailed instructions, including technique explanations, some step-by-step photo tutorials, and size-specific graphs to guide you through short row shaping at the shoulders and front and back necks. Within the pattern you will also find a detailed schematic with garment measurements.
The recommended yarn is JC Rennie, original Supersoft Lambswool 2/11.3Nm.
The yarn requirements are:
MC1: 100 (115, 135, 150, 170) grams
MC2 for Ribbing: 75 (75, 85, 90, 100) grams
CC for Triangles: 135 (145, 145, 155, 155) grams
Or select an equivalent yarn that knits up to the specified gauge of 28 stitches and 44 rows in stockinette and 34 stitches and 41 rows in fair isle over 4” (10cm).
Play with high contrast or subtle color shifts, allowing color to become part of the fabric architecture. Instructions include an option to omit the triangle work on the body.
I have knit 2 versions. The multi-color version of the sweater (shown on the cover of the pattern) uses the following colors:
MC (Body): Putty (221)
Ribbing (Cuffs and Hem): Petrel (1008)
CC (Triangles): Petrel (1008); Cummin (262); Ice Sea (1505); Flashing Lead (1150); Powder Blue (1415); Dark Olive (1277); Ballerina (1284); Vintage Orange (1046); Heather Orchid (2024); New Amethyst (2044); Red Hot (1294); Stonehenge (207)
The two-color version of the sweater uses the following colors: Denim (258) and Pennan Bay (1388). There are plenty of creative options - stash dive to finish up odds and ends!
Pattern Rating: Advanced Beginner/Intermediate (this pattern has been tested)
I'd love to see what you knit! Use #equilibriumjumper on Instagram and tag me @rebeccayaker
Add your finished Equilibrium Jumper to your Ravelry project page
