For years I have dreamed of my ultimate Christmas jumper and never found a suitable pattern. When I was given the opportunity to enter the hand knit Christmas jumper contest on Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas, I began designing and knitting furiously.

This jumper has a more vintage fit with its cropped body. The stripes and colourwork add a bit of whimsy and fun. As the jumper is worked in Aran weight, it also a relatively quick knit. This jumper is knit in the round from the bottom up. Sleeves are knitted first and set aside, then the body. The sleeves are then joined to the body and the yoke is worked in the round to completion.

Materials

MC (Main body): Ginger’s Hand Dyed Masham Mayhem Aran ‘Part of Your World’ (Aran weight; 75% British Bluefaced Leicester 25% British Masham; 160metres / 175yards per 100gram skein) x 4 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5) skeins

CC1 (Stripes): Ginger’s Hand Dyed Sheepish Aran ‘Poison Apple’ (Aran weight; 100% British Bluefaced Leicester; 166metres / 182yards per 100gram skein) x 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2) skeins

CC2 (Yoke background): West Yorkshire Spinners 100% Bluefaced Leicester Aran ‘Ecru’ (Aran weight; 100% British Bluefaced Leicester; 166metres / 182yards per 100gram skein) x 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1) skein

CC3 (Trees): Marta’s Mist Mohair ‘Ivy Green’ (Fingering weight; 80% Kid Mohair / 20% Nylon; 189metres / 207yards per 50gram skein) x 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2) skeins (3 strands held together)

CC4 (Bobbles): Marta’s Mist Mohair ‘Cherry Red’ (Fingering weight; 80% Kid Mohair / 20% Nylon; 189metres / 207yards per 50gram skein) x 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1) skein (3 strands held together)

Yardage used (includes 15% security)

MC: 506 (546, 585, 631, 664, 706)metres / 553 (597, 640, 690, 726, 772)yards

CC1: 122 (132, 142, 153, 161, 171)metres / 134 (145, 155, 167, 176, 187) yards

CC2: 106 (115, 123, 133, 140, 149)metres / 116 (126, 135, 145, 153, 163) yards

CC3: 201 (217, 233, 251, 264, 281)metres / 220 (238, 255, 274, 289, 307)yards

CC4: 101 (109, 117, 126, 133, 141)metres / 111 (119, 128, 138, 145, 154)yards

4.5mm circular / US 7 circular needle 60cm / 24in (80cm / 32in) in length

4.5mmm circular / US 7 circular needle 80cm / 32in in length for magic loop or DPNs

4 stitch markers (different colour markers will help to keep track of decreases)

Tapestry needle

Waste yarn (smooth cotton recommended)

Gauge

18 sts and 27 rnds over 10cm / 4in of stocking stitch worked in the rnd and blocked, using 4.5mm / US 7 needles

19 sts and 27 rnds over 10cm / 4in of 1x1 colourwork ribbing worked in the rnd and blocked, using 4.5mm / US 7 needles

Sizes

Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)This sweater has been designed to fit with between 2.5-5cm (1-2in) negative ease. The sample is shown in Size 2 on a model with a 89cm (35in) bust. The sweater can be worn with zero ease or a little positive ease for a more casual or boxy look.

Following are the finished bust measurements
Size 1: 31inches
Size 2: 33.25inches
Size 3: 36inches
Size 4: 38.25inches
Size 5: 40 inches
Size 6: 42.25inches

Please refer to the schematic for full measurement details so you can choose the best size for you.