Unicorn Jumper (DK) - Knit Sweater Pattern
Sizes (finished chest): XS 32\" (81 cm), S 36\" (91 cm), M 40\" (102 cm), L 44\" (112 cm), XL 48\" (122 cm), XXL 52\" (132 cm).
Materials
- Yarn: DK/light worsted weight. Suggested base: 120 yd (110 m) per 50 g skein. Estimated totals (imperial and metric): XS 900 yd (823 m) ~8 x 50 g, S 1000 yd (914 m) ~9 x 50 g, M 1150 yd (1052 m) ~10 x 50 g, L 1300 yd (1189 m) ~11 x 50 g, XL 1450 yd (1326 m) ~12 x 50 g, XXL 1600 yd (1463 m) ~13 x 50 g. These totals are for the whole jumper; allow extra for tension differences.
- Contrast colors for unicorn motif: approx 100 yd (90 m) each for 2–3 small colors (eg mane, eye/outline), and small amount of black for outline ~25 yd (23 m).
- Needles: Main needles: 4.0 mm (US 6 / UK 8) circulars in 40 cm (16\") and 80 cm (32\") lengths. Ribbing needles: 3.75 mm (US 5 / UK 9) circular or dpns for cuffs. Optional alternate size if your gauge differs: 4.5 mm (US 7 / UK 7). Stitch holders, darning needle, stitch markers, scrap yarn for intarsia bobbins.
Gauge
22 sts x 30 rows = 4\"/10 cm in stockinette on 4.0 mm (US 6 / UK 8). Use smaller needles for ribbing to give structure (3.75 mm / US 5 / UK 9).
Measurements & Suggested Body Lengths
- Body length to underarm: XS 16\" (41 cm), S 16.5\" (42 cm), M 17\" (43 cm), L 17.5\" (44 cm), XL 18\" (46 cm), XXL 18.5\" (47 cm).
- Sleeve length from underarm to cuff: 16\" (41 cm) for all sizes (adjust to taste).
Abbreviations
k = knit, p = purl, st(s) = stitch(es), k2tog = knit 2 together, ssk = slip slip knit (left-leaning decrease), CO = cast on, BO = bind off, RS = right side, WS = wrong side, sm = slip marker, inc = increase (kfb where specified), RS = right side, WS = wrong side.
Pattern Notes
Worked flat in pieces: back, front (with unicorn intarsia motif), two sleeves; seamed. The front features an intarsia unicorn panel centered on the chest. If you prefer stranded colorwork for finer detail you can use duplicate stitch instead of intarsia.
Stitch Counts (based on gauge 22 sts/4\")
Total body sts (circumference): XS 176, S 198, M 220, L 242, XL 264, XXL 286. Back and front each = half of total: XS 88, 99, 110, 121, 132, 143.
Back
- Using 3.75 mm needles (ribbing), CO sts: XS 88, S 99, M 110, L 121, XL 132, XXL 143. Join to work flat (not in the round) and place markers as needed.
- Work 1x1 rib (k1, p1) for 2\" (5 cm) ending with WS row.
- Change to 4.0 mm needles. Work in stockinette (RS: knit, WS: purl) until piece measures to underarm: XS 16\" (41 cm), S 16.5\" (42 cm), M 17\" (43 cm), L 17.5\" (44 cm), XL 18\" (46 cm), XXL 18.5\" (47 cm). Keep first and last 4 sts in garter (or seed) if you prefer a neat hem edge.
- Armhole shaping: Bind off 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7) sts at beginning of next 2 rows for armhole. Then dec 1 st each side every RS row 3 times (work: k2tog at left edge or ssk at right edge) — adjust if you prefer smoother slope — until you have the following shoulder/neck split: place center 20 (22, 24, 26, 28, 30) sts on holder for neck, leaving equal shoulder sts on each side.
- Shoulders: Bind off shoulder sts in two steps: BO 10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) sts, work 1 row, BO remaining shoulder sts. Block piece to measurements.
Front (with Unicorn Motif)
- CO same number of sts as back on 3.75 mm needles and work rib 2\" (5 cm) as for back; change to 4.0 mm.
- Work in stockinette until you are 6\" (15 cm) below cast-on edge (approx 6\" measured; this sets motif position about 10 cm below neck later). For precise placement, measure to center of chest where you want the unicorn’s face to sit.
- Begin unicorn intarsia panel: The chart provided below is 61 sts wide and 61 rows high; center the chart on your front. If your front stitch count differs from chart width, work stockinette to center point, work chart, then work stockinette to end. Use separate bobbins for each color block and twist yarns where blocks meet to avoid holes. Carry only the yarn necessary for adjacent color blocks; do not strand across large gaps (use bobbins).
Unicorn Intarsia Chart (61 W x 61 H)
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.######################### ## ## #########################.
########################## #### #### ##########################
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############################ ##### ##############################
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############################ # ##############################
########################### ###############################
########################## ##############################
######################### #############################
######################## ############################
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###################### ##########################
##################### #########################
#################### ########################
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Legend: '#' = main unicorn color blocks (use white/cream), '-' or '.' = background color (main jumper color), additional symbols would mark mane/eye/outline — for simplicity you can overlay mane details using duplicate stitch or pick out small areas with contrast yarn as you knit following the picture above. The ASCII chart is suggestive; knitters who prefer precise imagery should chart on graph paper using the 61x61 grid and place the mane and eye details in contrasting colors per the photo or your design.
- After finishing chart rows, continue in stockinette until front matches back to armhole (same length to underarm). Shape armholes identically to back.
- Neck shaping: On RS, bind off center 12 (12, 14, 14, 16, 16) sts and work each side separately. At each neck edge, BO 3, 2, 1 sts (or shape as desired) then BO remaining shoulder sts to match the back. Keep shoulder shaping rows mirrored to back so seams align.
Sleeves
- CO on 3.75 mm needles: XS 69, S 74, M 80, L 85, XL 91, XXL 96 sts (or adjust to desired upper arm fullness). Work 1x1 rib for 2\" (5 cm).
- Change to 4.0 mm. Increase for sleeve shaping: Work in stockinette and inc 1 st each side every 12th row 6 times (or adjust to reach target sleeve circumference listed earlier). Example: For XS starting 69 + 12 = 81 sts final; use whichever increase frequency gives comfortably-shaped sleeve. Keep increases neat by making them 1 st in from edges.
- Work until sleeve from cast-on to underarm measures approx 16\"/41 cm (or desired). Place sleeve sts on holder.
- Sleeve cap shaping: When attaching set-in sleeves, you will shape using standard set-in approach when sewing into armhole: ease sleeve head to match armhole depth. If you prefer, pick up stitches and work a short circular cap instead. Provide a detailed cap shaping if requested.
Finishing
- Block all pieces gently to measurements.
- Sew shoulder seams using mattress stitch for an invisible seam.
- Set in sleeves. Ease sleeve cap evenly across armhole; stitch using small backstitches or mattress stitch on garter edges.
- Sew side seams and sleeve seams.
- Neckband: Pick up sts around neck with 3.75 mm needles: pick up 1 st for every bound-off stitch and 1 st for every 2 bound-off sts along curved edges, aiming for a round number divisible by 2 for 1x1 rib. Work 1x1 rib for 1.25\" (3 cm) then BO loosely in rib.
- Weave in ends carefully — intarsia ends each color section need weaving; trim yarn tails after weaving.
Unicorn Detail & Options
- For sharper motif detail: knit front in a single background color then apply the unicorn by duplicate stitch using contrast yarns; this gives more control over fine lines like eyes and mane curls.
- For intarsia: keep bobbins tidy and attach new colors only where color blocks touch. Twist yarns at joins to prevent holes. If a large color block spans many rows without adjacent colors, use a separate bobbin for that block.
- Outline details like eye and nostril with black duplicate stitch after blocking. Use chain stitch embroidery if desired for more definition.
Blocking & Care
Block gently to measurements using steam or wet block depending on fiber. Dry flat. Care according to yarn label; most wool Dks prefer hand-wash and dry flat; superwash can be machine-laid flat on gentle cycle.
Sizing & Customization Tips
- To lengthen or shorten body/sleeves, add or subtract multiples of row gauge (approx 7.5 rows per inch). To adjust chest ease, change total stitch count by 11 sts = 2\" (5 cm) approx (based on gauge 22 sts/4\").
- If you want a chunkier jumper, use 4.5 mm needles and thicker DK/aran hybrid yarn and re-check gauge.
Yarn Substitutions
Choose smooth, plied DK yarns for best intarsia results (good stitch definition). If substituting a yarn with different yardage per skein, calculate required total meters/yards listed and divide by your skein yardage to buy sufficient amount.
Troubleshooting
If your motif skew appears stretched/compressed, check row gauge first. Adjust needle size for front only if necessary, or use duplicate stitch to repair proportions after knitting.
Contact
For pattern support email team@verde.uk. Pattern hosted at https://purljam.verde.uk. Share makes with #purljam.
Notes: This pattern provides a full, customizable knit jumper with an intarsia-style unicorn panel. If you'd like a chart PNG or a top-down raglan version instead, request that specifically.