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.

A sweater with history …

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 frustration or feeling in the dark.

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

Fast forward ten 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 knitting patterns more intuitive for everyone. 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 isn’t just an old pattern—it’s a legacy piece that has grown and improved right alongside me and the knitters who’ve made it. And now, it’s yours to create.

Why Knitters Love Julissa (And Why You Will Too):

✨ Looks Impressive, Knits Like a Dream – Cables? Lace? Sounds fancy, but I walk you through every step so you actually enjoy the process.
✨ Designed to Work for Your Body – #SizeInclusive with detailed bust shaping and customization tips, this sweater isn’t a “hope for the best” situation—you’re in control.
✨ Your First Sweater? Absolutely. – Lots of knitters have made Julissa their very first sweater. They survived. They thrived. They wore it everywhere.
✨ Try It On As You Knit – Thanks to the top-down design, you won’t have any surprises. Adjust as you knit for the perfect fit.
✨ Teaches New Skills Without the Stress – By the time you finish, you’ll have new techniques under your belt—without needing a PhD in knitting.

Who’s This For?

✨ The ambitious beginner ready to graduate from hats and take on their first sweater.
✨ The experienced knitter who wants an engaging, beautiful project.
✨ Anyone who loves a cozy, beautifully detailed sweater that actually works for them.

What You’re Getting (Besides the Secret to Knitting Confidence):

✔️ Instant PDF Download – No waiting, no reason not to cast on today.
✔️ Step-by-Step Instructions – Written to make sense, not to confuse. No guesswork here.
✔️ 18 Sizes & Two Sleeve Lengths to Choose From – You’re not one-size-fits-all, and your sweater shouldn’t be either. Customize the look and fit, your way.
✔️ Bonus Knitting Wisdom – Tips on fit adjustments, polished finishing techniques, and video tutorials for visual learners.
✔️ A Sweater That’ll Make You Look Like a Total Pro – Even if this is your first time knitting anything with sleeves.

Your Next Favorite Sweater Is Waiting.

Julissa isn’t just a pattern—it’s an invitation. A challenge that you’re more than ready for. And when you bind off that last stitch, you won’t just have a sweater—you’ll have proof of just how far you’ve come.

So, are you ready to take the leap?

Click that ‘Add to cart’ button and let’s start your sweater history!

Pattern Details

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