Shilshole

Shilshole Hoodie Pullover by Andrea Rangel

What is Being Made

Shilshole is a seamless pullover hoodie sweater inspired by Shilshole Bay in Seattle. The design features a functional hood that can be worn while walking along the shores of Discovery Park and other Seattle neighborhoods. This intermediate-level knitting project combines colorwork with a classic hoodie silhouette, designed to be worn with 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters) of positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Construction Techniques

The pullover is worked seamlessly from the bottom up using a raglan yoke construction method. This approach eliminates the need for seaming and creates a smooth, continuous garment. The hood is picked up directly from the collar after the body and sleeves are complete, then shaped through strategic increases and decreases before being grafted together at the top using the Kitchener stitch, a seamless joining technique that creates an invisible seam.

The pattern incorporates stranded colorwork, which requires careful attention to gauge and tension. Because many knitters naturally work more tightly when working with multiple colors in stranded colorwork compared to plain stockinette stitch, the pattern recommends using a larger needle size to maintain proper gauge during the color work sections. Swatching is emphasized as essential before beginning the project.

Customization Options

The Shilshole pattern offers flexibility for personal fit preferences. Knitters can adjust the body length by working additional or fewer rounds before placing the pocket lifeline marker. Sleeve length can be modified within the first 14 rounds of sleeve knitting, before the initial color change occurs. This strategic placement of adjustments ensures that the colorwork patterns remain properly aligned between the body and sleeves, maintaining the intended visual design of the finished garment.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base
• Stranded colorwork for patterned sections
• Raglan increases to shape the yoke
• Kitchener stitch for grafting the hood closure
• Seamless construction using circular needles and magic loop method

Materials

Shilshole is designed to be worked in worsted weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn suitable for creating a durable, structured sweater with good stitch definition for colorwork. The pattern is worked on circular needles appropriate for worsted weight yarn, allowing for the seamless, bottom-up construction method. The specific yardage and needle size recommendations are provided within the downloadable PDF pattern.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty. While the raglan construction and seamless technique are relatively straightforward, the inclusion of stranded colorwork and the need to manage multiple colors simultaneously elevates the skill level beyond beginner projects. Knitters should be comfortable with basic increases, decreases, and reading pattern charts before attempting this design.