The Clacton Jumper was the very first ever Purl &Jane top-down jumper. As with all my patterns, it’s simple, easy to follow, and the perfect starting point for your top-down knitting journey.

Designing this was such fun, even though there were moments when my head felt like it was about to explode! I reverse-engineered a raglan jumper in pieces, which was a challenge but so rewarding to see it come together. The best thing about top-down knitting is that you can adjust the length to suit you – or until you run out of yarn, whichever comes first!

There are four versions of this jumper in the pattern: short and solid, short and striped, long and solid, and long and striped. There’s also a technique included to eliminate the ‘wriggle’ on the purl rounds when working with stripes. It might feel a bit strange the first time you try it, but the result is worth it!

CONSTRUCTION
Knitted in the round from the top down.

TECHNIQUES USED
Knitting in the round. Cast on, knit, purl, increasing at the arm-hole, picking up stitches under the arm, cast off.

YARN
5(5:6:6:7) 50g balls of Mohair Tweed for short version.
70% merino wool & 30% mohair, 110m/120yds per 50g
4(4:5:5:6) 50g balls of Mohair Tweed in shade A
& 2(2:3:3:3) 50g balls of Mohair Tweed in shade B for long striped version.

SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
4mm circular needles
:: 40cm and 80cm lengths for first three sizes.
:: 40cm and 100cm lengths for last two sizes.

GAUGE (tension)
19 stitches and 28 rows to 10cm/4ins square over stocking stitch 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 negative or positive ease of 0-5”/0-12.5cm at the chest.

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

Chest circumference
93.5, (96.5, 105, 113.5, 122)cm
36¾, (38, 41¼, 44½, 48)ins

Length (short version) (from top of shoulder to cast on edge)
36, (38, 42, 46, 50)cm
14¼, (14¾, 16½, 18, 19¾)ins

Length (long version) (from top of shoulder to cast on edge)
42, (46, 50, 54, 60)cm
16½, (18, 19¾, 21¼, 23½)ins

Sleeve length (from underarm to cast on edge)
4, (4, 4, 4, 4)cm
1½, (1½, 1½, 1½, 1½)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.