Thistle

Thistle Sweater by Marie Wallin

What is Being Made

Thistle is a knitted sweater designed by Marie Wallin, available in five sizes ranging from Small (to fit bust 81-86 cm / 32-34 in) through to XXL (to fit bust 122-127 cm / 48-50 in). This is a classic pullover jumper constructed in the round from the body upward, worked as one continuous piece to the armholes before shaping the sleeves and neckline.

Knitting Techniques

The Thistle sweater employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques. The garment is worked primarily in the round using circular needles, which creates seamless construction and allows for continuous colorwork patterning. The pattern features patterned stocking stitch, a fundamental technique combining knit and purl stitches to create a smooth, uniform fabric. The body is cast on and worked as one piece to the armholes, demonstrating efficient garment construction that minimizes seaming. Double-pointed needles are used for smaller circumference sections, such as the sleeves and neckline shaping.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure is stocking stitch (also called stockinette stitch), which forms the base fabric throughout the sweater. The pattern incorporates patterned stocking stitch, indicating that colorwork or textural patterns are integrated into the knit fabric using the stocking stitch base. This intermediate technique requires managing multiple yarn colors or pattern repeats while maintaining consistent tension and stitch formation.

Materials and Specifications

The Thistle sweater uses Jamieson's of Shetland Spindrift yarn, a premium 4-ply weight yarn supplied in 25-gram balls. The design incorporates ten coordinated colors: Damask (color A, the main color requiring 8-13 balls depending on size), Bramble, Laurel, Moss, Eesit, Yellow Ochre, Blue Lovat, Camel, Paprika, and Thistledown (colors B through J, each requiring one ball across all sizes). The garment is knitted on 2¾mm (US 2) circular needles for the ribbed cast-on edge and 3¼mm (US 3) circular needles for the main patterned stocking stitch sections. A set of four double-pointed needles in both 2¾mm and 3¼mm sizes is required for working smaller circumferences. The tension is set at 29 stitches and 31 rounds to 10 centimeters measured over patterned stocking stitch on the larger needles.