Fishermans Rib Sweater by Friday Knits

Fishermans Rib Sweater

Knitting
August 2025
DK (11 wpi) ?
20.5 stitches and 18 rows = 4 inches
in Fisherman's Rib
US 4 - 3.5 mm
1439 - 2957 yards (1316 - 2704 m)
XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
English
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About
The Fisherman’s Rib Sweater is worked from the top down and in the round. It begins by working a double stockinette stitch collar for a clean and structured edge. The yoke is then worked back and forth before the front plackets are joined, and the sweater continues seamlessly in the round. The sleeves are then picked up and worked in the round from the underarm down to the cuffs.

Skill Level Intermediate

Techniques
knit, purl, Fishermans Rib (knit 1 below, purl 1 below), Double Stockinette Stitch, increases and decreases in Fishermans rib, increases and decreases in double stockinette stitch, knitted cast on, tubular cast on, tubular bind off.

Gauge
20.5 sts and 18 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in Fisherman’s rib on
3.5 mm US 4 needles, wet blocked. This will be the visual count of your sts (see Note on Fisherman’s Rib on next page).

If you have more stitches on 4 inches / 10 cm than stated, use a larger needle size; if you have less stitches, use a smaller needle size.

Measurements
The sizes are based on a bust circumference of approximately
XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) to fit bust measurement of:
28-30 (32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46) (48-50, 52-54, 56-58, 60-62) inches.
71-76, (81-86, 91.5-96.5, 101.5-106.5, 111.5-117) (122-127, 132-137, 142-147, 152-157) cm.

Finished Garment Measurements at the Bust
32.5 (36.5, 39.5, 43.5, 48) (52, 56.5, 60, 63.5) inches,
81 (91, 98.5, 108.5, 120) (130 , 141.5, 149.5, 159) cm.

Suggested Needles
3.5mm US 4 circular needles 32/40 inches / 80/100 cm, or size to obtain gauge.

Suggested Yarn
For best results in Fisherman’s rib, choose a yarn with good elasticity so it can bounce back into shape. I recommend wools or wool blends, as they have the spring needed to support the stitch pattern. Avoid cotton or other plant-based fibres, as they have little to no memory, and steer clear of alpaca, which tends to drape and can stretch out over time.

Samples made in size XS in DK weight yarn.

West Wool Tandem Yarn in colourway Glass (blue) (100% South American Merino Wool, 100g, 233 metres / 254 yards).
If you are using this colourway, you will need:
7 (7, 8, 9, 10) (11, 12, 13, 13) skeins for the Main Colour.

Baby Wonder 8 Ply Baby Wonder Yarn in colourway Burnt Orange (60% Acrylic & 40% Nylon, 100g, 220 metres / 240 yards).
1 (1, 1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 2, 2) skeins of the Contrasting Colour. Please note if you want to work a different stripe pattern, your meterage will change.

DK weight yarn
1316 (1494, 1638, 1799, 2015) (2180, 2382, 2520, 2704) metres /
1439 (1634, 1791, 1967, 2204) (2384, 2605, 2756, 2957) yards of DK weight yarn.

Notions

  • Yarn needle to weave in ends.
  • Stitch markers.
  • Scrap yarn to place stitches on hold.
  • Scissors or cutters to cut yarn.