I designed this jumper as a sloppy joe, perfect for throwing on while rushing around on an autumn day or snuggling up on the sofa in winter. It’s one of those knits that just feels right every time you wear it.

For this pattern, I originally chose a DK yarn from Donegal Yarns, a beautiful, natural yarn that perfectly suits the relaxed feel of the design. To reflect the Irish origins of the yarn, I named the pattern Leannan (LAN-AWN), the Irish word for lover or perfection in our hearts.

This jumper uses one of my favourite ribs – where you knit a row after a knit-and-purl row. It’s a step up from garter stitch, adding a little extra texture while still being relaxing to knit.

I originally designed Leannan to launch at the local yarn festival – Yarndale in 2017, and I feel like I’ve lived in it every autumn and winter since! It’s the perfect layer for crisp autumn walks – warm enough to keep out the chill, but light enough to enjoy the sunshine.

CONSTRUCTION
The back, front and two sleeves are knitted flat from the bottom up in separate pieces and joined together. The sleeves are drop. The neck edge is picked up and knitted.

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

YARN
11(13:15:16:17) 50g balls of Mohair Tweed.
70% Merino wool & 30% Mohair, 110m/120yds per 50g

SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
3.75mm and 4mm.

GAUGE (tension)
20 stitches and 28 rows to 10cm/4ins square over garter stitch rib 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 positive ease of 7-14ins/18-35.5cm at the chest.

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

Chest circumference
120, (132, 145, 153, 162)cm
47¼, (52, 57, 60¼, 63¾)ins

Length (from top of shoulder to cast on edge)
58, (60, 62, 64, 66)cm
22¾, (23½, 24½, 25¼, 26)ins

Sleeve length (from underarm to cast on edge)
42, (42, 42, 42, 42)cm
16½, (16½, 16½, 16½, 16½)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.

Click on the following links for my How To videos that may help with this pattern: Picking Up Stitches.