The Design
“Classic, cozy, woolly!”
The knitting of this pullover is straightforward—lovely fields of stockinette stitch. It’s the thoughtful styling details that add subtle elegance! The flattering dropped shoulder creates a roomy armhole (no fabric bunching under the arm), a little short row shaping allows the front and back hemlines to hang evenly, and the length of the straight, boxy body is easy to modify! It’s a sweater you’ll wear and wear.
We knit this Better-Than-Basic Pullover in The Fibre Co. —a gorgeous, worsted-weight blend of merino wool (for softness!), English Masham wool (for heathered color), and Argentinian mohair (for luster!). Cumbria was named for England’s stunning northwestern county, and its color palette was inspired by its deep blue lakes and sheep-grazed fells—natural, romantic, and breathtaking!
The Details
SIZES
This pullover is designed with lots of ease (8–10"/20–25cm), 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.
LENGTHS
Finished body length measured from high shoulder (where shoulder meets neck) to hem.
Hip-length version (shown here): 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.
YARN
Hip-length version (shown here): 5 (5, 6, 6, 7) skeins (236 yds/216m each). Or 1100 (1200, 1300, 1400, 1500) yds/1005 (1100, 1190, 1280, 1370)m.
Tunic-length version: 1300 (1400, 1500, 1650, 1750) yds/1190 (1280, 1370, 1510, 1600)m of a light-worsted-weight yarn that typically knits at 19–20 sts to 4"/10cm.
Shown in size S in Color Barrow.
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
US 8 (5mm) 24"/60cm circular needle or size to obtain gauge.
Funnel-neck version (shown here): 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.
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.
KNITTER'S NOTES
We can’t stress enough the value of a generous swatch. We like to work one that’s at least 6" x 6". And don’t skip the wet block and steam steps. Beyond checking your stitch and row gauge, you will want to look critically at the resulting fabric. Your swatch will tell you if you’ve got a nice fabric that has both drape and body.
Designed with versatility in mind, it’s well suited to all body types. Several of our staff looked great in all five sizes, from slightly fitted to very oversized; all of us looked good in at least two sizes! So instead of thinking in terms of a specific size, think about the amount of ease you want (the difference between your actual bust measurement and the actual sweater measurement).
We suggest you try on sweaters of different length to see what works for you, and then measure the length from your high shoulder (where the shoulder meets the neck) to hem and use this as your template. After you decide on the size, just personalize the sleeve length from the varying degrees of shoulder drop (the pattern tells you how).
A couple of easy modifications will result in a sweater that’s great for those of us who run warm. The neckline is designed so that the collar can be tucked in and sewn down, sitting a flattering distance away from the neck. And sleeve length can be customized to end above the wrist, making for a cooler sweater by keeping the wrist pulse points uncovered.
