V-Neck Sweater in Two Colours — Moss Stitch + Rib

A textured, two-colour adult pullover worked flat and seamed. Body is worked in moss (seed) stitch with 1x1 rib trims; a contrasting colour highlights the V-neck and cuffs. Instructions are for sizes S (M, L, XL, XXL). Gauge, needles and yarn info are at the top — read fully before starting.

Finished measurements

• Chest (finished): 36” (40”, 44”, 48”, 54”)
• Length (shoulder to hem): 25” (25”, 26”, 26”, 26”)
• Sleeve length (from underarm): 17” (17”, 17.5”, 17.5”, 18”)

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight / Aran (medium/10). Suggested yardage per size (total/all colours): S 900 yds (823 m) — approx 450 g (15.9 oz); M 1,000 yds (915 m) — 500 g (17.6 oz); L 1,100 yds (1,006 m) — 550 g (19.4 oz); XL 1,200 yds (1,097 m) — 600 g (21.2 oz); XXL 1,300 yds (1,189 m) — 650 g (22.9 oz).
• Colour split: Main Colour A ~60% of total; Contrast Colour B ~40% of total. Example skein assumption: 200 yds (183 m) / 100 g: S — A: 3 skeins (600 yds / 549 m), B: 2 skeins (400 yds / 366 m). Adjust to your yarn's length per skein.
• Needles: US 6 (UK 8, 4.0 mm) for rib; US 7 (UK 7, 4.5 mm) for body. Circulars: 24” / 60 cm and 32” / 80 cm for working body in the round if desired for seams, or use same length for flat knitting. Double-pointed needles (DPNs) or short circulars in same sizes for sleeves small circumference.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, measuring tape, 6-8 buttons if you add a button band (optional), waste yarn for provisional cast-on (optional).

Gauge

20 sts and 28 rows = 4” / 10 cm in moss stitch on US 7 / 4.5 mm needles. Make a 4” / 10 cm square and adjust needle size if needed.

Abbreviations

• k = knit
• p = purl
• k2tog = knit two together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• RS = right side, WS = wrong side
• MC = Main Colour (A), CC = Contrast Colour (B)

Stitch patterns

Moss stitch (1x1, two-row seed):Work over an even number of stitches.
Row 1 (RS): *k1, p1; rep from * across.
Row 2 (WS): *p1, k1; rep from * across.
Repeat these two rows for moss stitch.

1x1 Rib: *k1, p1; rep from * across.

Notes & structure

• Pieces are worked flat: Back, Left Front, Right Front, Sleeves. Seamed at shoulders and sides.
• Begin hems and cuffs with 1x1 rib on smaller needles (US 6 / 4.0 mm), then change to larger needles (US 7 / 4.5 mm) for moss stitch body.
• Where stitch counts are given they are for sizes S (M, L, XL, XXL). When numbers are given in parentheses follow the same ordering.

Cast-on counts

• Back: CO 90 (100, 110, 120, 130) sts on US 6.
• Each Front: CO 46 (52, 58, 64, 70) sts on US 6.
• Sleeves: CO 56 (60, 64, 68, 72) sts on US 6.

Hem & lower band (Back)

1. Using US 6 / 4.0 mm and MC, CO 90 (100, 110, 120, 130) sts.
2. Work 1x1 rib for 2.5” / 6.5 cm, ending with a WS row.
3. Change to US 7 / 4.5 mm. If needed, increase 1 st at end of a WS row to make stitch count even for moss pattern (pattern assumes even counts). If you do, note this extra in final counts.
4. Work moss stitch in MC until piece measures 15” (15”, 16”, 16”, 16.5”) from cast-on, or until armhole start measured to your preferred armhole depth. Place marker at each end to mark underarm (these are side seams later).

Back armhole shaping

1. On RS, bind off 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts at beginning of next 2 rows for armholes.
2. Then decrease 1 st each side every other row 3 (4, 4, 5, 6) times. Continue in moss stitch until armhole measures 8.5” (8.5”, 9”, 9.5”, 10”) from bind-off.
3. Place remaining shoulder sts on waste yarn or stitch holder if you will graft/join later. Typical remaining center back neck sts = 62 (68, 74, 80, 86) but this adjusts naturally with your decreases; just leave shoulders separately if required for your shaping.

Left & Right Fronts

1. Using US 6 and MC, CO 46 (52, 58, 64, 70) sts for each front.
2. Work 1x1 rib for 2.5” / 6.5 cm. Change to US 7 and work moss stitch. For fronts, the V-neck will be shaped at the center front: mark the center front edge (CF edge) and the side seam edge (SE).
3. Work moss stitch straight until front measures same as back to armhole markers (so that underarm joins later).
4. Armhole shaping: Work as for back but mirror; on RS bind off 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts at beginning of next row for the side seam edge. Then decrease 1 st at SE every other row 3 (4, 4, 5, 6) times.
5. When you reach the point to start V-neck shaping (when piece measures same as back to same height, usually after armhole depth ~8.5” etc), begin the V-neck shaping on each front as follows:
6. V-neck shaping (both fronts): On RS, work until 3 sts before CF edge, k2tog, k1 (this creates a neat neckline decrease) OR for left front use ssk at CF to create left-leaning decrease. Continue decrease at CF edge every 4th row 10 (11, 12, 13, 14) times, then every other row as needed until shoulder shaping height matches back. Maintain moss stitch pattern across the rest of the row. Keep the neck edge tidy by slipping the first stitch of RS rows when appropriate as a selvedge if you like.
7. When shoulder height equals back, place shoulder sts on holder to match back shoulders.

Sleeves

1. Using US 6 and MC, CO 56 (60, 64, 68, 72) sts. Work 1x1 rib for 2.5” / 6.5 cm. Change to US 7 and work moss stitch, placing markers at beginning of round/row for underarm alignment.
2. Sleeve increases: Increase 1 st each side every 6 (6, 6, 5, 5) rows until you have 84 (88, 92, 96, 100) sts or until sleeve width equals approximately 12.5” (13”, 13.5”, 14”, 14.5”) finished. Maintain moss stitch; when increasing, increase in pattern (k or p as appropriate) to preserve texture.
3. Work until sleeve from cast-on measures 17” (17”, 17.5”, 17.5”, 18”) or until it matches your desired underarm depth.
4. Bind off 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts at beginning of next two rows to form sleeve cap, then decrease 1 st each side every other row 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) times. Continue shaping until cap height matches armhole on body pieces. Place remaining sts on holder.

Finishing & assembly

1. Block all pieces to the given finished measurements for best drape and easier seaming.
2. Join shoulders using mattress stitch or preferred seaming method, aligning moss pattern carefully.
3. Set in sleeves: Pin sleeve caps into armholes matching markers and seam. Seam with mattress stitch, working gently so the moss pattern flows across the join.
4. Sew side seams and sleeve seams. Leave uppermost 1” unseamed at the neck for a comfortable shoulder ease if desired.

V-Neck band (Contrast Colour B)

1. With RS facing and CC, pick up and knit along one front neck edge and across back neck to the other front neck edge: pick up approximately 1 st for every bound-off or slipped stitch along neck edge; adjust to keep an odd/even count for 1x1 rib if you prefer.
2. Using US 6 / 4.0 mm work 1x1 rib (k1, p1) for 1.25” / 3 cm, decreasing at the point of the “V” by working the two center stitches together (k2tog or ssk depending on side) to keep the point neat. If you want a button band on one side, work an extra 3—4 rows of garter or rib and add buttonholes spaced evenly (optional).
3. Bind off in rib fairly loosely. Weave in ends.

Cuffs & Hem finishing

• Check cuffs and hem: if desired, pick up 2 sts for every 3 rows around cuff edges and work 1x1 rib in CC or MC for 1.25” / 3 cm; bind off loosely. Alternatively, keep the hem as worked in MC.
• Weave in all ends and block lightly so rib and moss stitches relax and match finished measurements.

Sizing & customizing tips

• To change ease: add or remove 5 sts (1” at this gauge) from the body cast-on to increase or decrease finished chest by ~1”. Keep increases in multiples of 2 for moss stitch consistency or add edge selvedge stitches.
• To make a deeper V: begin neckline decreases earlier and decrease more frequently; monitor shoulder height to match back.
• For a boxier or slouchy fit: work longer body length before armhole shaping and add positive ease (+2” to +6”).

Care

Follow yarn label care. For most worsted wool blends: hand wash cold or gentle machine cycle in a mesh bag, lay flat to dry to maintain shape.

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