This design first appeared in a men’s pattern book I created back in 2008. It was really well received – but only available in the US. I’ve wanted to update the patterns from that book for years, to make them available as digital downloads for UK and European knitters too.

So here it is – updated for today’s knitters. The original version had a hood, but this one has a classic crew neck… for now!

It’s knitted in pieces with seams, and if you’d prefer a turtle neck or polo neck, that’s easy – just pick up the stitches as written, and keep knitting to your desired length.

I’ve always loved this type of stitch pattern. You’ll spot variations of it in lots of my other designs too – like the Heaton Tank Top, Leannan Jumper, Ravenscar Cardigan, Stannington Cardigan and the Hubberholme Jumper for kids, to name just a few!

CONSTRUCTION
The back, front and two sleeves are knitted flat from the bottom up in separate pieces and joined together. The sleeves are set in. The neck edge is picked up and knitted.

TECHNIQUES USED
Cast on, knit, purl, decreasing, increasing, cast off. Optional but recommended to create the feeling of joy when joining your pieces: mattress stitch seaming and three needle cast off.

YARN
6(6:7:8:8:9) 100g hanks of P &J Yorkshire Yarn Bluefaced Leicester DK
100% British Bluefaced Leicester wool, 230m/251yds per 100g

SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
3.75mm and 4mm.

GAUGE (tension)
24 stitches and 30 rows to 10cm/4ins square over garter stitch rib pattern. I obtained this gauge with 4mm needles.
It is important to obtain the correct gauge so do work a swatch before you start the pattern and change your needle size to achieve the correct gauge if you need to.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
I recommend a positive ease of 11⁄2-4ins/4-10cm at the chest.

Size
1, (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

Actual Chest Circumference
91.5, (96.5, 106.5, 116.5, 126.5, 136.5)cm
36, (38, 42, 45¾, 49¾, 53¾)ins

Length (from top of shoulder to cast one edge)
64, (66, 70, 72, 73, 73)cm
25¼, (26, 27½, 28¼, 28¾, 28¾)ins

Sleeve Length (from underarm to cast on edge)
42, (44, 44, 44, 44, 45)cm
16½, (17½, 17½, 17½, 17½, 17¾)ins

NEED HELP?
I am here for you! Pop into the Skipton studio, send an email, or check out the Purl &Jane YouTube channel for tips, inspiration and guidance including handy resources like gauge (tension) guides and how to tutorials.

I’ve chatted about this design progress in the vlogs Episode 1 to 6. Here is Episode 6 - when it’s finished. And here is a short of the Tom on myself and David.