Shelly Pullover in Adriafil Dot - Downloadable PDF

Shelly Pullover in Adriafil Dot – Free Knitting Pattern Summary

The Shelly Pullover is a cosy, relaxed-fit knitted pullover designed using Adriafil Dot yarn, a super chunky weight yarn that works up quickly and creates a beautifully textured fabric. This is a free downloadable PDF pattern that guides knitters through constructing a classic set-in sleeve pullover with a shaped neckline, ribbed-style border, and a satisfyingly simple stitch palette — making it an excellent project for confident beginners and intermediate knitters alike.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a pullover sweater (also known as a jumper) worked in separate flat pieces — a back, a front, and sleeves — which are then seamed together. The design features:

• A knit stitch border at the hem for structure and a neat finish
• A purl stitch body for a smooth, reverse-stockinette texture
• Shaped armholes with bound-off stitches and decreases for a tailored fit
• A front neckline shaped with a centre bind-off and gradual decreases
• A back neckline shaped by binding off remaining stitches after shoulder slopes
• Shoulder slopes worked with stepped bind-offs for a clean, angled seam

The pullover is sized for IT 48 (44–46) / US 14 (10–12) / UK XXL (XL–L), covering a generous range of adult sizes from a UK Large through to XXL.

Techniques Used

The Shelly Pullover is constructed using straightforward flat knitting techniques, making it approachable for knitters who are comfortable working in rows and reading basic shaping instructions. Key techniques include:

• Casting on — a standard cast-on to begin each piece
• Working in rows — all pieces are knitted flat on straight needles
• Border shaping — a 16 cm section of knit stitch creates a firm, tidy hem border
• Armhole shaping — achieved by binding off stitches on each side followed by single stitch decreases
• Neckline shaping (front) — centre stitches are bound off and each side is worked separately, with decreases every 6 rows to create a smooth curved neckline
• Shoulder slope shaping — stepped bind-offs worked every 2 rows on each end to angle the shoulder seam neatly
• Seaming — pieces are joined using a tapestry needle, a standard finishing technique for flat-knitted garments

Stitches Used

The pattern uses just two fundamental knitting stitches, keeping the stitch work accessible while still producing a polished, textured result:

• Knit stitch (knitted stitch) — used for the hem border section, worked for 16 cm to create a firm, slightly ridged edge
• Purl stitch (purled stitch) — used for the main body of the pullover, producing a reverse stockinette fabric with a soft, bumpy texture on the right side

Working the body entirely in purl stitch is a deliberate design choice that gives the Shelly Pullover its distinctive tactile surface. Reverse stockinette is known for lying flat at the edges without rolling — particularly when paired with a knit stitch border — and it showcases the texture and colour variation of a yarn like Adriafil Dot beautifully.

Gauge

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the pullover to match the intended sizing. The pattern specifies:

• 12 stitches and 16 rows = 10 x 10 cm worked in purled stitch on size 8 needles

Always knit a gauge swatch before beginning and adjust needle size if necessary to match this tension.

Materials