This jumper is inspired by my love of vintage patterns – especially those from the 1930s and 1940s. I hope you can see a little of that influence in the look of the design. But don’t worry – the pattern itself is nothing like the vague, one-size-fits-all versions of the past!

As with all my patterns, I’ve written this one to be simple and relaxing to knit. There’s no shaping to follow – the ribbing does all the work, gently creating a shape that adapts beautifully to your body. And if you prefer a looser fit, just go up a size. That’s my kind of knitting – let the yarn and stitches do the work while you put your feet up and enjoy the process.

Another lovely thing about the Betsy Jumper is that it’s really two patterns in one. Want a tank top? Just skip the sleeves. The stitch is so clever (I do love a stitch that does it all!) that you don’t even need to add extra edging around the armholes. Super duper!

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 though you can make this jumper without the sleeves to create a tank top. The neck edge is picked up.

TECHNIQUES USED
Cast on, knit, purl, decreasing at armhole and neck shaping, increasing on the sleeves, cast off. Joining seams. Optional but recommended to create the feeling of joy when joining your pieces: mattress stitch and three needle cast off.

YARN
2(2:3:3:4) 100g hanks of WYS Bluefaced Leicester DK for jumper version
OR 2(2:2:3:3) 100g hanks for tank top version in shade A
AND 1(2:2:2:3)100g hank(s) in shade B for both versions.
100% British Bluefaced Leicester wool, 225m/182yds per 100g

SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
3.75mm and 4mm.

GAUGE (tension)
22 stitches and 26 rows to 10cm/4ins square over rib pattern when stretched. 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
This garment can be worn with negative or positive ease -0.5 to 4ins/-1 to 10cm at the chest.

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

Actual chest circumference
88, (97, 106, 115, 124)cm
34½, (38, 41¾, 45¼, 48¾)ins

Length (from top of shoulder to cast on edge)
58, (60, 62, 66, 68)cm
22¾, (23½, 24½, 26, 26¾)ins

Sleeve length (from underarm to cast on edge)
5, (5, 5, 5, 5)cm
2, (2, 2, 2, 2)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.