Okay nerds, this one’s for us! Prepare to level up on video game nostalgia with Alexey’s Sweater, a stranded colorwork design named for computer programmer Alexey Pajitnov, creator of the classic game Tetris. This sweater blends traditional colorwork motifs with the iconic Tetromino shapes, and it’s a great pattern for using up scrap yarn or mini skeins!

Alexey’s Sweater is a top-down seamless pullover that is worked in the round with stranded colorwork on the yoke and upper sleeves.

This pattern includes helpful colorwork knitting tips and links to technique video tutorials. Pattern has been professionally tech edited.

Let’s stay connected! Sign up for my newsletter to stay updated on new pattern releases, test knits, promotions, KALs, and more!

To share your projects on Instagram or Bluesky use the #AlexeySweater hashtag and tag @gretchenmacdesigns. I absolutely love seeing your finished projects!

Measurements and Sizing

• All Gretchen Mac Design patterns are #sizeinclusive.
• Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
• Finished chest circumference: 31.25 (35.75, 40.25, 44.75, 49.25, 53.75, 58.25, 62.75, 67.25)” / 78 (89.5, 100.5, 112, 123, 134.5, 145.5, 157, 168) cm
• 4 - 8” / 10 - 20 cm ease recommended. Model has a 42” / 106.5 cm chest circumference; she is wearing size 5 (49.25” / 123 cm) with 7.25” / 16.5 cm ease.

Needles & Notions:

• US 2 / 2.75 mm and US 3 / 3.25 mm circular needles or size needed to obtain gauge, 24 - 60” / 60 - 150 cm long for working the body in the round.
• Some knitters may also want to go up a needle size for the colorwork portion of the sweater; be sure to check your colorwork gauge vs plain stockinette gauge to determine if you need to change needle sizes.
• DPNs or long circular needles for Magic Loop in US 2 / 2.75 mm and US 3 / 3.25 mm, for working the sleeves and neckline.
• Stitch markers and tapestry needle.

Gauge: 25 sts and 34 rounds = 4” / 10 cm worked in the round on US 3 / 3.25 mm, after blocking.

Yarn & Yardage:

Jamieson’s of Shetland Spindrift, 100% non-superwash fingering-weight wool. 115 yds / 105 m and 25 g / .88 oz per skein.

Color A (Navy Blue) - 106 Midnight
Color B (White) - 304 White
Color C (Red) - 500 Scarlet
Color D (Black) - 1341 Black Ice
Color E (Aqua) - 770 Mint
Color F (Orange) - 470 Pumpkin
Color G (Yellow) - 400 Mimosa
Color H (Green) - 780 Lime
Color I (Blue) - 700 Royal
Color J (Purple) - 616 Anemone

Color A: 174 (195, 211, 238, 255, 282, 311, 328, 357) g / 6.09 (6.83, 7.39, 8.33, 8.93, 9.87, 10.89, 11.48, 12.5) oz
Color B: 35 (39, 42, 48, 51, 57, 62, 66, 72) g / 1.23 (1.37, 1.47, 1.68, 1.79, 2, 2.17, 2.31, 2.52) oz
Color C: 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8) g / 0.14 (0.18, 0.18, 0.21, 0.21, 0.25, 0.25, 0.28, 0.28) oz
Color D: 46 (52, 56, 63, 68, 75, 82, 87, 95) g / 1.61 (1.82, 1.96, 2.21, 2.38, 2.63, 2.87, 3.05, 3.33) oz
Color E: 6 (6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 10, 11) g / 0.21 (0.21, 0.25, 0.28, 0.28, 0.32, 0.35, 0.35, 0.39) oz
Color F: 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10) g / 0.18 (0.21, 0.21, 0.25, 0.25, 0.28, 0.32, 0.32, 0.35) oz
Color G: 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7) g / 0.11 (0.14, 0.14, 0.18, 0.18, 0.18, 0.21, 0.21, 0.25) oz
Color H: 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8) g / 0.14 (0.18, 0.18, 0.21, 0.21, 0.25, 0.25, 0.28, 0.28) oz
Color I: 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8) g / 0.14 (0.18, 0.18, 0.21, 0.21, 0.25, 0.25, 0.28, 0.28) oz
Color J: 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10) g / 0.18 (0.21, 0.21, 0.25, 0.25, 0.28, 0.32, 0.32, 0.35) oz

Color A: 800 (897, 971, 1095, 1173, 1297, 1431, 1509, 1642) yds / 728 (816, 884, 996, 1067, 1180, 1302, 1373, 1494) m
Color B: 161 (179, 193, 221, 235, 262, 285, 304, 331) yds / 147 (163, 176, 201, 214, 238, 259, 277, 301) m
Color C: 18 (23, 23, 28, 28, 32, 32, 37, 37) yds / 16 (21, 21, 25, 25, 29, 29, 34, 34) m
Color D: 212 (239, 258, 290, 313, 345, 377, 400, 437) yds / 193 (217, 235, 264, 285, 314, 343, 364, 398) m
Color E: 28 (28, 32, 37, 37, 41, 46, 46, 51) yds / 25 (25, 29, 34, 34, 37, 42, 42, 46) m
Color F: 23 (28, 28, 32, 32, 37, 41, 41, 46) yds / 21 (25, 25, 29, 29, 34, 37, 37, 42) m
Color G: 14 (18, 18, 23, 23, 23, 28, 28, 32) yds / 13 (16, 16, 21, 21, 21, 25, 25, 29) m
Color H: 18 (23, 23, 28, 28, 32, 32, 37, 37) yds / 16 (21, 21, 25, 25, 29, 29, 34, 34) m
Color I: 18 (23, 23, 28, 28, 32, 32, 37, 37) yds / 16 (21, 21, 25, 25, 29, 29, 34, 34) m
Color J: 23 (28, 28, 32, 32, 37, 41, 41, 46) yds / 21 (25, 25, 29, 29, 34, 37, 37, 42) m