I love designing simple, easy-to-knit patterns that might look complicated to beginners, but are actually anything but. And for experienced knitters? These patterns act as a gentle refresher between more technical projects — the kind of knitting you can relax into, switch off and simply enjoy.

This oversized jumper is a great example. It’s a straightforward, unisex shape that suits all sizes, and it came about from a request for more men’s jumpers. It’s ideal for newer knitters ready to move on from scarves, but it’s also one of my favourite styles for seasoned knitters — a calm, satisfying knit that doesn’t demand too much concentration.

I call these designs ‘refresher’ knits — or sometimes ‘amuse-bouche’ patterns. Like the little appetisers in fancy restaurants (which literally means “mouth amuser” in French!), they cleanse the knitting palette between more complex courses like fairisle or cables.

Fancy knitting one for a little one? Then the Child’s Gartan Jumper is what you’re looking for!

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

YARN
7(8:9:10:10) 100g hanks of Soft Donegal Chunky.
100% Merino wool, 125m/136yds per 100g

SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
5mm and 6.5mm.

GAUGE (tension)
14 stitches and 19 rows to 10cm/4ins square over stocking stitch. I obtained this gauge with 6.5mm 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 6-12ins/15-30cm at the chest.

Size
1 (2, 3, 4, 5)

Chest circumference
108, (120, 131, 142, 154)cm
42½, (47¼, 51½, 55¾, 60½)ins

Length (from top of shoulder to cast on edge)
60, (62, 64, 66, 68)cm
23½, (24½, 25¼, 26, 26¾)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.