Men’s Chunky Turtleneck Pullover - Knit Pattern

Size range: S (M, L, XL, XXL). This is a classic, slightly relaxed chunky turtleneck worked in pieces and seamed. The pattern is written for the listed sizes; where numbers differ they are shown as S (M, L, XL, XXL). Finished measurements and yardage follow.

Finished Measurements

• Chest (circumference): 40 (44, 48, 52, 56) in / 101.5 (112, 122, 132, 142) cm
• Length from shoulder to hem: 26 (27, 28, 29, 30) in / 66 (68.5, 71, 73.5, 76) cm
• Sleeve length from underarm: 18 (18.5, 19, 19.5, 20) in / 46 (47, 48.5, 49.5, 51) cm
• Turtleneck height: 3.5 in / 9 cm (folded) or 7 in / 18 cm unfolded

Yarn

Chunky / Bulky weight yarn (recommended 100g skein = approx. 120 yd / 110 m). Choose a warm wool or wool blend for structure and stitch definition.

• Yarn required (approx.): S: 6 skeins = ~720 yd / 658 m; M: 7 skeins = ~840 yd / 768 m; L: 8 skeins = ~960 yd / 878 m; XL: 9 skeins = ~1080 yd / 988 m; XXL: 10 skeins = ~1200 yd / 1097 m.
• Skein example: 100 g (3.5 oz) = ~120 yd / 110 m (adjust for your chosen yarn’s yardage).

Needles

• Main: US 11 (8.0 mm; UK (old) approx. 2; Metric 8.0 mm) circular, 32 in / 80 cm (or longer if knitting flat pieces on long circular).
• Ribbing/neck: US 10.5 (6.5 mm; UK (old) approx. 3.5; Metric 6.5 mm) circular 16 in / 40 cm for neckline or DPNs/short circular for smaller circumference.
• Optional: set of DPNs or 16 in / 40 cm circular in ribbing size for neck, and a spare circular in main size if you prefer working in the round for body/sleeves.

Gauge

14 sts x 18 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in Stockinette using US 11 (8.0 mm). IMPORTANT: Block a swatch and measure to match gauge. Adjust needle size if necessary.

Notes

• This sweater is worked flat in pieces: Back, Front, and two Sleeves, then seamed. You may adapt to knit in the round for body if you prefer (instructions assume pieces).
• Pattern uses standard Stockinette (St st). Right side (RS) rows: knit; Wrong side (WS) rows: purl.
• When numbers are given as "work to X inches / cm", use the measurement from your blocked swatch/gauge to match counts; row counts are approximate depending on your row gauge.

Abbreviations (US)

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• k2tog = knit 2 together (right-slant decrease)
• ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-slant decrease)
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• St st = Stockinette stitch (K on RS, P on WS)
• PM = place marker
• SM = slip marker

Suggested Ease

The finished measurements include about 2–4 in / 5–10 cm of positive ease. Choose the size closest to the wearer’s chest measurement considering desired ease.

Construction Overview

1. Back: CO, rib hem, work St st to shoulders, shape shoulders & neck.
2. Front: same as back, with lower neck shaping.
3. Sleeves: CO, rib cuff, increase to bicep, shape sleeve cap.
4. Set in sleeves, seam shoulders and sides, pick up stitches for turtleneck and work ribbed neck, fold and seam if desired.

Sample Stitch Calculations (based on gauge 3.5 sts/in)

• Total body stitches (circumference) = Finished chest (in) x 3.5 sts/in. Example totals used below: S 140, M 154, L 168, XL 182, XXL 196.
• Back cast-on = half the total: S 70, M 77, L 84, XL 91, XXL 98.
• Front cast-on = same as back.
• These cast-on numbers give a neat, balanced raglan-free set-in sleeve pullover. If you prefer more or less ease, recalc cast-on from your gauge.

BACK

Using US 10.5 (6.5 mm) needles for ribbing and US 11 (8 mm) for body.

1. CO 70 (77, 84, 91, 98) sts on US 10.5. Join or work flat per your preference (pattern below follows flat knitting).
2. Rib hem: K2, P2 rib for 2.5 in / 6.5 cm; change to US 11.
3. Work in St st (RS: K, WS: P) until piece measures 16 in / 41 cm from cast-on (or 2.5 in less than full body length to underarm). For size adjustments: S 16, M 16.5, L 17, XL 17.5, XXL 18 in.
4. Shoulder shaping (three-needle or bind-off and seam): Work shoulder shaping over last X rows as follows to form a gentle slope. Divide shoulders and neck as below:

Bind-off for neckline and shoulders:

• Next RS row: K across first 20 (22, 24, 26, 28) sts - left shoulder, bind off next 30 (33, 36, 39, 42) sts for neck, K remaining sts for right shoulder. (Adjust middle neck bind-off to create desired neck width; above numbers assume a 30–43 st neck opening.)
• Continue working each shoulder separately for 2.5 in / 6.5 cm and bind off. Alternatively bind off shoulder sts in 2 or 3 steps to create slope (bind off 6-8 sts, then 6-8 sts, etc.).

FRONT

1. CO same number as back: 70 (77, 84, 91, 98) sts. Work rib hem and change to US 11 for St st.
2. Work until piece measures 13.5 (14, 14.5, 15, 15.5) in / 34.5 (35.5, 37, 38, 39.5) cm from cast-on for lower neck shaping (this is a few inches less than back because front neck is lower).
3. Neck shaping (RS): Work center neck opening and shape gradually.

Example neck shaping (adjust counts to match your cast-on):

1. Work to center 20 (22, 24, 26, 28) sts, bind off center 10 (10, 12, 12, 12) sts, work to end. Continue working each side separately, decreasing 1 st at neck edge every other RS row 3 times to round the neckline. Work until front matches back shoulder height, then bind off shoulders to match back (or work same shoulder shaping sequence).

SLEEVES (make 2)

1. CO 40 (44, 48, 52, 56) sts on US 10.5. Work K2, P2 rib for 2.5 in / 6.5 cm.
2. Change to US 11. Increase for sleeve width evenly as follows: Rnd/Row 1 (RS): Increase 1 st each side every 6th row (or every 8th row depending on desired taper) until you have 56 (60, 64, 68, 72) sts at bicep. Example increases: S: increase 8 times (40 -> 56) every 6 rows; M: increase 8 times; L: increase 8 times; XL/XXL increase accordingly. Place markers at start/end if knitting in the round or mark increase points if flat.
3. When sleeve measures approx. 18 (18.5, 19, 19.5, 20) in / 46 (47, 48.5, 49.5, 51) from underarm to cuff, begin sleeve cap shaping as follows:

Sleeve cap shaping (flat):

1. Work RSV rows with decreases to shape cap: Bind off 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows, then decrease 1 st each side every other row 10 (11, 12, 12, 13) times, then decrease 1 st each side every 4th row 4 times, bind off remaining sts to form top. Adjust counts so sleeve cap fits armhole depth of body pieces.

ASSEMBLY

1. Block pieces lightly to finished dimensions.
2. Seam shoulder seams using mattress stitch for an invisible join; leave neck opening for picking up stitches.
3. Set in sleeves: match sleeve cap to armhole, ease sleeve cap to fit and stitch in place using mattress stitch or backstitch. Repeat for both sleeves.
4. Seam side and sleeve seams from cuff to hem.

TURTLENECK

1. With US 10.5 (6.5 mm) circular or DPNs, pick up and knit evenly around neck opening approx. 90 (96, 102, 108, 114) sts depending on your neck opening measurement (approx. 9–10 sts per inch around neck using 3.5 sts/in gauge; adjust to maintain an even number for rib pattern). Work K2, P2 rib for 7 in / 18 cm for a full unfolded collar or 3.5 in / 9 cm for folded collar.
2. Bind off loosely in pattern. If you want a folded neck, block and fold the rib in half and stitch inside to the neck seam if desired for a neater finish.

FINISHING

• Weave in ends neatly and block garment to final measurements. Wool-friendly blocking will soften and even stitches.
• Press lightly if using steam and natural fibers; avoid flattening rib texture.

BLOCKING

• Gently wet block or steam to measurements. Pin to dimensions shown in Finished Measurements. Let dry fully before unpinning.
• Blocking helps the chunky yarn settle and evens out stitch patterns.

MODIFICATIONS & TIPS

• For a slouchier neck: pick up fewer sts and knit a taller turtleneck; for a snug neck: pick up more sts but use smaller needles for a denser rib.
• To convert to seamless construction: work body in the round to underarm, split for fronts/back and continue flat for shoulders, or use raglan shaping if preferred (convert set-in sleeve numbers accordingly).
• When changing yarn, always reswatch: bulky yarns vary widely in yardage and gauge.

Troubleshooting

• If your sweater is too wide: drop a size or go down a needle size and re-swatch.
• If your fabric feels too stiff: use a softer yarn or larger needles and re-swatch.

Yardage & Material Recap

• S: ~720 yd / 658 m (6 skeins @120 yd/110 m)
• M: ~840 yd / 768 m (7 skeins)
• L: ~960 yd / 878 m (8 skeins)
• XL: ~1080 yd / 988 m (9 skeins)
• XXL: ~1200 yd / 1097 m (10 skeins)

Needle Reference

• Ribbing needles: US 10.5 — Metric 6.5 mm — UK (old) approx. 3.5
• Main needles: US 11 — Metric 8.0 mm — UK (old) approx. 2

Support & Attribution

Pattern created for PurlJam. Website: https://purljam.verde.uk. For support: team@verde.uk. Share your makes: #purljam

Notes: This pattern is intentionally flexible to accommodate yarn substitutions and fit preferences. Use the gauge and finished measurements to adjust cast-on and shaping as needed. Happy knitting!

Created by purlJam with the help of magic AI dust. Shop Verde for patterns and yarn.

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