This sporty knit is for those of us who live, unabashedly, in our activewear.

Look, this is seven years old now, and I still think of it once a week and laugh at myself.

Breaker is knit with classic bottom-up construction and seamed, stitches are picked up and knit for the collar, which is shaped with german short rows. The result manages to be both elegant and casual.

(Why seamed? The row gauge is a bit different for stockinette and the textured knit, so if you want the pieces to fit together they need a different number of rows).

If you’re looking for a knit you can’t find just anywhere that doesn’t require a cottage core wardrobe - this one’s for you!

CONSTRUCTION

Breaker is worked flat from the bottom up and seamed. Stitches are picked up and knit for the collar.

Not a fan of cropped? The pattern includes yardage info if you wish to lengthen the body and instructions for where to add those rows.

OPTIONAL BUST SHAPING

Optional instructions for adding short rows for bust shaping, in five sizes, give you your best fit.

SIZES

1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7) (8, 9, 10)

Finished circumference at underarm: 32.25 (36.25, 40.5, 44.25) (48.5, 52.25, 56.5) (60.75, 65, 68.75) inches / 80.5 (91, 101.5, 111) (121.5, 131, 141.5) (152, 162.5, 172) cm

Finished hip circumference: 33.75 (38, 42, 46) (50, 54, 58) (62.25, 66.5, 70.25) inches / 84 (94.5, 105, 114.5) (125, 134.5, 145) (155.5, 166, 175.5) cm

Finished upper arm circumference: 15.25 (16.5, 17.5, 19) (20.25, 21.25, 22.75) (24.5, 26, 27) inches / 38 (41, 44, 47.5) (50.5, 53.5, 57) (61, 65, 67.5) cm

Download the full schematic here.

YOUR BEST FIT

Choose the size closest to your actual upper chest measurement: 27.75 (31.75, 35.75, 39.25) (42.25, 44.5, 47.5) (50.5, 53.5, 56.5) in / 69.5 (79.5, 89.5, 98) (105.5, 111.5, 119) (126.5, 134, 141.5) cm

Upper chest is measured above the full bust, at an angle close to diagonal beneath the underarms, and straight across the back.

Panda is designed to fit with approximately 4.5 inches / 11.5 cm of positive ease at the fullest part of your bust.

If you need additional room for the bust, as Jen does, working the optional short row shaping will give you the best fit in the shoulders and armholes, while still making room for your chest. Short rows add length to the front only of the garment, so that the hem does not rise in the front.

Jen is wearing size 5, Cup 3, with 4.5 inches / 11.5 cm of positive ease at the full bust. Her upper chest is 41 inches / 102.5 cm and she is 5’8” / 173 cm tall.

YARN

Sample shown in Wandering Flock Merino DK

Extra-fine 100% superwash merino wool; 230 yds / 210 m per 100 g skein. This is a hand-dyed, 4-ply high-twist yarn. Shown in colorway Icy Lavender.

This yarn knits up incredibly soft for next-to-skin wear, has a gentle bias that responds well to blocking and adds a bit of extra durability, and has great stitch definition.

1185 (1235, 1320, 1400) (1480, 1560, 1625) (1730, 1730, 1830) yds / 1085 (1130, 1210, 1280) (1355, 1425, 1485) (1580, 1585, 1675) m; 6 (6, 6, 7) 7, 7, 8, 8) skeins

For optional bust darts, you will need an additional 10 - 115 yds / 5 - 105 m.

GAUGE

21 sts and 32 rows over 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch, worked flat, with size A needles.

NEEDLES

All garment sizes use all needle sizes.

Size A: US 6 / 4 mm
Size B: US 4 / 3.5 mm
Size C: US 3 / 3.25 mm

NOTIONS

• Waste yarn (for the optional Tubular Cast-on)
• Cable needle (for the optional Tubular Cast-on)
• Waste yarn or stitch holder
• Tapestry needle
• Separating zipper, at least 9.75 (10, 10.25, 10.5) (10.5, 10.75, 10.75) (11.25, 11.25, 11.5) inches / 24.5 (25, 25.5, 26.5) (26.5, 27, 27) (28, 28, 28.5) cm long. For best results, look for a soft fabric tape instead of a stiff tape
• Fray Check or other fabric edge treatment
• Sewing needle and thread that matches yarn
• Six stitch markers (at least four removable)

TECHNIQUES

• Tubular cast-on (optional)
• Working directional shaping
• Working German short rows
• Seaming
• Picking up and knitting
• Sewing a tubular bind-off
• Installing a zipper with hand sewing

CREDITS

Tech Edit: Sarah Endres
Photography: Source Creative House

For UX Knitter credits, visit the pattern page. #sizeinclusive