This jumper is definitely inspired by my love of vintage patterns. I’ve been collecting them for years – especially from the 1930s, which is my favourite decade, though this design was sparked by a photo of my mum wearing a similar jumper in the 1970s.

One of the things I love about designing simple patterns is that they can look more complicated than they really are. This jumper looks fitted, but that’s thanks to the rib stitch – it’s knitted without shaping, and the rib naturally hugs your body. You can easily make the neck shorter too, if you’d prefer a classic crew.

I also like to include a little detail that’s not immediately obvious – but when you’re knitting it, you’ll spot it! Just a small touch that I hope makes you smile.

It’s a great knit for any body (male or female), and if you fancy turning it into a tank top instead, you can simply leave off the sleeves.

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 at armhole and neck shaping, increasing. Joining seams. Optional but recommended to create the feeling of joy when joining your pieces: three needle cast off and mattress stitch.

YARN
5(6:7:8:9) 100g hanks of P &J Yorkshire Yarn Bluefaced Leicester Aran.
100% British Bluefaced Leicester wool, 175m/191yds per 100g

SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
4.5mm and 5mm.

GAUGE (tension)
18 stitches and 24 rows to 10cm/4ins square over stocking stitch. I obtained this gauge with 5mm 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 1-5ins/2-12cm at the chest.

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

Actual Chest Circumference
95.5, 104, 113, 122, 131)cm
37½, (42¼, 44½, 48, 51½)ins

Length (from top of shoulder to cast on edge)
60, (62, 66, 68, 70)cm
23½, (24¼, 26, 26¾, 27½)ins

Sleeve Length (from underarm to cast on edge)
44, (44, 44, 44, 44)cm
17½, (17½, 17½, 17½, 17½)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.