Brooks Pullover by Kristin Drysdale

Brooks Pullover

Knitting
August 2025
DK (11 wpi) ?
20 stitches and 23 rows = 4 inches
in Stranded colorwork
US 7 - 4.5 mm
770 - 1600 yards (704 - 1463 m)
14 Sizes 34- 71 inches
English
This pattern is available for $9.00 USD
buy it now or visit pattern website

Brooks Pullover

To celebrate the launch Brooks is 20% off.

Brooks is a yoke pullover with seamless construction designed with a patterns for top-down and bottom-up so that you can knit it the way you like to work.

This timeless design was inspired by an antique kitchen bowl that has been in my family longer than I have been. It’s Xs and 0s and the swooping buntings have always reminded me of Norwegian Kransekake (wreath cake). It’s simple, but also a little celebration. For years I have looked at this bowl and thought it should be a sweater. I meant this design to be a year-round sweater, a favorite you can wear all the time. A best friend sort of sweater that is worn through thick and thin. On good days and bad. A constant companion through life. I hope it’s a sweater you reach for when going on a walk or taking a trip to the store, one you grab for sitting outside on a chilly evening or gathering eggs. I knit mine with Biches et Buches Le Lambswool that gets softer with every wear.

I wanted to design this sweater so that you can knit it the way you love to knit. Top-down and traditional bottom-up knitting is similar but a little different, and each way has its unique little advantages.

The top-down construction starts at the yoke and ets you begin with the fun colorwork part. I also like that after you have completed the colorwork, it’s rewarding to look at while you are finishing the sweater. This construction also makes it easy to try on your sweater as you knit so you can tailor fit the yoke depth and length of your body and sleeves. I also love easy way to pick up and knit the sleeve stitches. Brooks has a magical fit that is super comfortable and flattering.

Bottom up knitting is the traditional way to knit a yoke sweater. I love this efficient and beautiful way to knit. First you knit the body, then quickly you will knit the sleeves (if this is your first bottom-up yoke sweater, you will be pleasantly surprised how quick sleeves are to knit up). As soon as you finish a sleeve, you will connect it to the body. After both sleeves are done, you will knit a few rounds, then the fun part starts. I like saving the colorwork for last. It’s like dessert. Another thing I love about bottom-up sweaters is that you can tailor fit the size of the neckline. I love the traditional Vs for the stitch orientation.

Both versions are knit with one size needle throughout. Brooks has magical fit that is super comfortable and flattering. I hope it becomes your favorite!

Materials
Biches et Bûches Le Lambswool 170 meters per 50 g or
Fios da Fazenda | DK 6 ply merino | 260 meters /284 yards per 100 g (3 ½ oz) skein
Main Color: Biches & Bûches Le Lambswool Blue-Green 4 (4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6 ,7) skeins Long-sleeve version: (brown) Fios da Fazenda 6-ply merino 3 (3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6 ,6) skeins or approx. 664 (692, 750, 787, 810, 840, 890, 1067, 1089, 1160, 1250, 1310, 1400) yards
Contrasting Color: Biches & Bûches Le Lambswool Undyed White 1 skein for all size or Fios da Fezenda light pink. 1 skein. 1 skein for all sizes or 100 (110,120, 125, 130, 140, 150, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 200) yards.

Needles: One size for everything, US 7 (4.5 mm) 32 or 40 – inch/ 80 or 100 cm for the body, yoke and neckband and a set of dpns or Flexiflips for cuffs 16-inch/40 cm circular needles for sleeves

Tapestry needle

Gauge and Swatch
20 stitches and 23 rounds = 4 inches in colorwork
17.25 stitches and 23 rounds= 4 inches in single color
Swatch in colorwork, in the round, to determine needle size.

Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14) with a 5-9 -inch positive ease.
Sample is shown with a 6” positive ease.

Finished Measurements
Chest circumference: 34 (37, 40, 42.5, 45.5, 48.25, 51, 53.75, 56.5, 59.5, 62, 65, 67, 71) inches
Body length from cast on edge to underarm: 11.5 (12, 12.5, 12,5, 13.25, 13.75,14.25, 14.25, 15.25, 16, 16, 16, 17, 17) inches
Sleeve length:16 (16½, 17, 17, 17, 17.5, 18, 18, 18, 18, 19, 19, 19.5, 19.5) inches
Yoke depth without neckband: 8 (8, 8.25, 8.5, 8.5, 8.75, 9, 9.5, 10,10.5 ,10.5,
10.5 ,10.75,10.75)
Total length: 21 (21, 22 .25, 22.5, 23.5, 24.25, 25, 25.5, 27, 27.5 ,27.5, 28.5, 28.75, 28.75) inches

Skills used to make Brooks
Long-tail cast-on
Knit
Purl
2x2 rib
Knitting in stranded colorwork
Catching floats
Colorwork chart reading skils
Knitting in the round
DPN / Magic loop skills
Traveling loop for the neckband
SSK
K2tog
German short rows
Bind off
Backward loop
Duplicate stitch