Knitted Adorable Sweater

There's something undeniably charming about a knitted adorable sweater. The intricate patterns and cozy texture make it a must-have piece for chilly days. Whether you opt for a classic cable knit design or a playful fair isle motif, there's a sweater out there to suit every style. Picture yourself wrapped up in a soft, handcrafted sweater, sipping hot cocoa by the fireplace - it's the epitome of comfort and coziness. Plus, the added bonus of handmade charm gives each sweater its own unique character, making it a special addition to any wardrobe. So go ahead, embrace the warmth and style of a knitted adorable sweater - you won't regret it!

Materials

• Double knitting yarn:
• 6/6/7 x 50g balls in light grey (M);
• 5/6/6 balls in darker grey (G);
• 1/2/2 ball dark red (R)
• Pair each of
• No 11 (3mm), and
• No 9 (3¾mm or 3½mm) needles.
• One set of 4 No 11 (3mm) needles.

Tension

22sts x 30 rows to four inches on 3½mm needles over stocking stitch.

Size matters

• To fit chest:
• 40 / 42 / 44 inches,
• [actual sizes approximately 2 inches larger];
• length from top of shoulders:
• 26¼ / 26¾ /27¼ inches;
• sleeve seam:
• 19½ / 20 / 21 inches.

Abbreviations

• k: knit
• p: purl
• stocking stitch: knit one row, purl one row
• M: main light grey
• G: mid grey
• R: wine red

A word on the wool.

Original yarn was mixed fibre double knitting equivalent.

Yardage was approximately 140 meters (153 yards) per 50g ball; this is the key point to note when substituting.

Instructions.

A man's plain loose sweater in 3 sizes (small medium and large).

Back

Using No 11 (3mm) needles and red contrast colour (R), cast on 118/122/126 stitches, and work 3 rows k2/p2 rib. Break yarn.

Change to main colour (M) and continue in rib until work measures

3½ inches from the beginning. Break yarn.

Change to No 9 (3¾mm or 3½mm) needles and join in dark grey contrast (G) to start working the striped stocking stitch pattern, increasing 2 / 3 / 4 stitches, evenly across the first row.

[120/125/130 sts].

Work in alternate stripes of 14 rows G, 14 rows M.

After the first 12 rows of the seventh stripe (which is in in colour G), shape the armholes by casting off 9/10/11 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows. [102/105/108 sts].

Change to colour R and work 14 rows for the 8th stripe.

Change to colour G and continue in striped stocking stitch alternating between colours G and M.

When work measures 26¼ / 26¾ / 27¼ inches, shape shoulders and back neck as follows:

Cast off 9 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows.

Next row: Cast off 9/9/9, k7/8/9, cast off centre 50/51/52, knit to end.

Next row: Cast off 9/9/9, p7/8/9 and then turn, leaving the 8/9/10 right back shoulder stitches unworked on the needles, while you finish the left shoulder separately.

Next row: k8/9/10, turn, cast off the remaining 8/9/10 and fasten off.

With wrong side facing, rejoin the yarn to the right back at the neck edge and purl 8/9/10. Turn and cast off the remaining 8/9/10 and fasten off, thus completing the right shoulder

Front

Work as for back until work measures 23¼ / 23½ / 24 inches.

Keeping continuity of the striped pattern shape neck as follows:

Next row: k43/44/45, cast off the centre 16/17/18 stitches, knit to end.

Next row: p43/44/45 and leave the remaining 43/44/45 stitches on a spare needle or stitch holder while you complete the left front separately.

At the beginning of the next row cast off 4 stitches. Then at the neck edge on every following alternate row, cast off: 3 stitches once, 2 stitches 3 times, and 1 stitch 4 times. [26/27/28 sts].

Continue straight on these stitches until front matches back to the shoulder. With wrong side facing, at the armhole edge, shape shoulder by casting off 9/9/9 stitches on the next and following alternate row. Knit 1 row and then cast off the remaining 8/9/10 stitches.

This completes the left front.

With wrong side facing, return to the stitches for the right side of the front, rejoin the yarn to the neck edge, and cast off 4 stitches, purl to end. Then at the neck edge on every following alternate row cast off: 3 stitches once, 2 stitches 3 times, and 1 stitch 4 times. [26/27/28 sts].

Continue straight on these stitches until front matches back to the shoulder. With right side facing, at the armhole edge, shape shoulder by casting off 9/9/9 stitches on the next and following alternate row. Purl 1 row and then cast off the remaining 8/9/10 stitches.

This completes the right front.

Sleeves

Using No 11 (3mm) needles and red contrast colour (R), cast on 66/70/74 stitches, and work 3 rows k2/p2 rib. Break yarn.

Change to main colour (M) and continue in rib until work measures

3½/4/3¼ inches from the beginning. Break yarn.

[Editor's note: You may be puzzled by the largest size having a smaller sleeve welt. This is to keep the sleeve length correct overall, while trying to keep to an exact sequence of the stripes.]

With right side facing, change to No 9 (3¾mm or 3½mm) needles and join in contrast to start working the striped stocking stitch pattern, increasing 18/19/20 stitches, evenly across the first row.

[84/89/94 sts].

Working in alternate stripes of 14 rows G, 14 rows M, as before; however, for the largest size 3, begin the stocking stitch with a stripe of main colour M, followed by G. This will ensure you end at the top of the sleeve with a stripe in the dark contrast G, as shown in the photo.

Increase 1 stitch at each end of every following 10th row, 11 times.

[106/111/116 sts].

Continue until work measures 20 / 20¾ / 21½ inches from the beginning, [Editor's note: This should be 126/128/140 rows in stocking stitch.], which should be an exact number of stripes, ending with the darker grey colour G - for the second (medium) size you should work 16 rows in colour G on this last stripe.

Cast off.

To Make Up

Press parts or block lightly under a damp cloth, avoiding ribbing.

Join the shoulder seams.

Neck Border:

Using the set of 4 No 11 (3mm) needles and red contrast colour (R), pick up and knit 128/132/132 stitches evenly around the neck.

Work 3 rounds in K2/P2 rib, the 6 rounds in main shade (M), then 3 rounds in colour R. Cast off in rob using R.

Sew in sleeves. [Editor's note: The instructions are not explicit on this point but as the top of the sleeve is a straight edge, I would be inclined to sew it to the straight edge of the armhole, and sew the top half inch of the side of the sleeve to the cast off stitches of the armhole.]

Stitch side and sleeve seams.

Diagram showing dimensions for smallest size: