Better-Than-Basic Pullover by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas

Here’s a pattern for the simple sweater you’d be willing to buy, if only you could find it: The fit is easy, styling simple, fabric relaxed, and details just right.

The flattering dropped shoulder creates a roomy armhole without the usual excess fabric bunching under the arm. The slim, straight cuff tapers up to the armhole. And a little short-row shaping allows the front and back hemline to hang more evenly when worn.

You can easily customize the style and fit. We’ve shown a couple of combinations of length and edgings but you can play with the variables (short with long ribbing, long with short …) or change the length entirely to suit you.

Yarn

Rowan Kid Classic

Berroco Ultra Alpaca

Choose a light-worsted-weight yarn that typically knits at 20 sts to 4”/10cm. You’ll want to open it up just a little to a finished gauge of 4½ sts per inch.

Hip-length version: 1100 (1200, 1300, 1400, 1500) yds/1005 (1100, 1190, 1280, 1370)m.

Shown in size S on 38”/96.5cm bust, in Rowan Kid Classic light blue Color 876; 153 yds/140m per skein.

Tunic-length version: 1300 (1400, 1500, 1650, 1750) yds/1190 (1280, 1370, 1510, 1600)m.

Shown in size S on 38”/96.5cm bust, in Berroco Ultra Alpaca charcoal Color 6289; 215 yds/198m per skein.

For custom lengths: To lengthen or shorten body, add or subtract approx. 30 (33, 35, 39, 41) yds/27 (30, 32, 35, 37)m of yarn per 1”/2.5cm of knitted length.

Needles & notions

Both versions: US 8 (5mm) 24”/60cm circular needle or size to obtain gauge.

Rib-neck version: US 7 (4.5mm) 24”/60cm and 16”/40cm circular needle, or 1 US size/.5mm smaller than gauge size.

Funnel-neck version: 16”/40cm circular needle in gauge size; and US 6 (4mm) 24”/60cm and 16”/40cm circular needles, or 2 US sizes/1mm smaller than gauge size.

Both versions: 2 ring markers; 6 locking markers; 4 stitch holders (we like to use extra circular needles, in gauge size or smaller, so you can knit off holder from either end); darning needle to finish.

Gauge

18 sts/25 rows = 4”/10cm in stockinette stitch on larger needle, after blocking.

Sizes

This pullover is designed with lots of ease, relaxed shoulders and slim sleeves in sizes XS (S, M, L, XL).

Finished bust: 42½ (46½, 50, 54½, 59)“/108 (118, 127, 138, 150)cm, after seaming.

To fit bust: 32–34 (36–38, 40–42, 44–46, 48–50)”/81–86 (91–96, 101–106, 112–117, 122–127)cm.

With ease of: 8–10”/20–25cm.

Lengths

Finished body lengths measured from high shoulder (where shoulder meets neck) to hem.

Hip-length version: 23¼ (23½, 24¼, 24½, 25)“/59 (60, 61, 62, 63)cm.

Tunic-length version: 30¼ (30½, 31¼, 31½, 32)”/76.5 (77, 79, 80, 81)cm.

Center back neck to cuff: 24 (25, 26, 27, 28)“/ 61 (63, 66, 69, 71)cm.

Errata

In patterns dated before November 11, 2014, there were errors on page 5, where several WS rows begin with the yarn in the wrong position.

Errata. In the ‘Front right shoulder & neck shaping’ section on page 5, WS rows 8, 10, 12, 14, & 16 should begin WYIF, not WYIB. For instance, row 8 should read:

Row 8 (WS): WYIF Sl 1; purl to neck marker, SM, purl to end.