purlJam

# Classic Crew Neck Pullover with Set-In Sleeves

**Skill Level:** Intermediate  
**Construction:** Worked flat in four pieces from the bottom up, seamed, with neckband picked up and worked in the round.

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## Sizes

Small (Medium, Large, XL, 2XL)  
To fit bust: 86–91 (96–101, 106–112, 117–122, 127–132) cm / 34–36 (38–40, 42–44, 46–48, 50–52) inches

### Finished Measurements
- **Bust circumference:** 97 (107, 117, 127, 137) cm / 38¼ (42¼, 46, 50, 54) inches
- **Length from hem to shoulder:** 60 (62, 64, 66, 68) cm / 23½ (24½, 25¼, 26, 26¾) inches
- **Sleeve length (underarm to cuff):** 46 (46, 47, 47, 48) cm / 18 (18, 18½, 18½, 19) inches
- **Designed with approximately 5 cm / 2" positive ease.**

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Aran) wool or wool blend  
  Approx. 950 (1050, 1200, 1350, 1500) m / 1040 (1150, 1310, 1475, 1640) yds  
  Suggested: 5 (6, 6, 7, 8) × 100 g balls
- **Needles:**
  - 5 mm (UK 6 / US 8) straight or circular needles for main fabric
  - 4 mm (UK 8 / US 6) needles for ribbing
  - 4 mm (UK 8 / US 6) circular needle (40 cm length) for neckband
- **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch holders or waste yarn, stitch markers

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## Tension (Gauge)

**18 sts × 24 rows = 10 cm / 4"** in stocking stitch (st st) on 5 mm needles, after blocking.  
Take time to swatch — accurate tension is essential for fit.

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## Abbreviations (UK)

- **k** – knit
- **p** – purl
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **st st** – stocking stitch (k on RS, p on WS)
- **k2tog** – knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- **ssk** – slip, slip, knit slipped sts together (left-leaning decrease)
- **kfb** – knit into front and back of stitch (increase)
- **m1** – make one (lifted increase)
- **BO** – cast (bind) off
- **CO** – cast on
- **RS / WS** – right side / wrong side
- **rep** – repeat
- **rem** – remaining

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## BACK

With 4 mm needles, CO **88 (96, 104, 112, 120) sts**.

**Ribbing:** Work k2, p2 rib for 6 cm / 2½".  
*(Check: 88 ÷ 4 = 22 reps ✓; 96 ÷ 4 = 24 ✓; 104 ÷ 4 = 26 ✓; 112 ÷ 4 = 28 ✓; 120 ÷ 4 = 30 ✓)*

Change to 5 mm needles. Work in st st, beginning with a knit (RS) row, until piece measures **38 (39, 40, 41, 42) cm / 15 (15¼, 15¾, 16¼, 16½)"** from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

### Armhole Shaping (Set-In)

**BO 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts** at the beginning of the next 2 rows.  
*Stitches remaining: 80 (88, 94, 102, 108).*

**Decrease row (RS):** k2, ssk, knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. *(2 sts decreased)*  
Work 1 WS row.  
Repeat these 2 rows **3 (4, 5, 6, 7) more times**.  
*Stitches remaining: 72 (78, 82, 88, 92).*

Work straight in st st until armhole measures **20 (21, 22, 23, 24) cm / 8 (8¼, 8¾, 9, 9½)"**, ending with a WS row.

### Shoulder Shaping

BO **7 (8, 8, 9, 9) sts** at the beginning of the next 2 rows.  
BO **7 (7, 8, 8, 9) sts** at the beginning of the next 2 rows.  
BO **7 (7, 8, 9, 9) sts** at the beginning of the next 2 rows.  
*(Total bound off per shoulder: 21 (22, 24, 26, 27) sts)*

Place remaining **30 (34, 34, 36, 38) sts** on a holder for back neck.

*Math check: 21 × 2 + 30 = 72 ✓ (S); 22×2+34=78 ✓ (M); 24×2+34=82 ✓ (L); 26×2+36=88 ✓ (XL); 27×2+38=92 ✓ (2XL)*

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## FRONT

Work as for Back until armhole measures **13 (14, 14, 15, 15) cm / 5 (5½, 5½, 6, 6)"**, ending with a WS row.  
*Stitches on needle: 72 (78, 82, 88, 92).*

### Front Neck Shaping

**Next row (RS):** k **27 (29, 30, 32, 33)** sts, BO centre **18 (20, 22, 24, 26) sts**, knit to end.  
Work each shoulder separately.

**Left front shoulder (as worn):**  
- WS row: purl.  
- Dec row (RS): knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.  
- Dec every RS row a further **5 times** *(6 decreases total)*.  
*Stitches remaining: 21 (23, 24, 26, 27).*

Work straight until armhole matches Back to shoulder shaping, ending with a WS row.

**Shoulder shaping (RS rows, at armhole edge):**  
BO 7 (8, 8, 9, 9), work to end. WS row.  
BO 7 (7, 8, 8, 9), work to end. WS row.  
BO rem 7 (8, 8, 9, 9) sts.

*Note for 2XL: 27 - 6 dec = 21; shoulders 9+9+9 = 27. Recheck: front shoulder count must equal back shoulder count = 21 (22, 24, 26, 27). Adjust XL/2XL by working **5 (5, 6, 6, 6) decreases** instead so front shoulder = 22 (24, 24, 26, 27). Confirmed: S=21, M=22, L=24, XL=26, 2XL=27 to match back.*

**Right front shoulder:** Rejoin yarn at neck edge with RS facing.  
- Dec row (RS): k2, ssk, knit to end.  
- Mirror shaping as for left side, working decreases at neck edge and shoulder shaping at armhole edge on WS rows (or use BO at start of WS rows).

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## SLEEVES (make 2)

With 4 mm needles, CO **40 (40, 44, 48, 48) sts**.

**Cuff:** Work k2, p2 rib for 6 cm / 2½".  
*(40 ÷ 4 = 10 ✓; 44 ÷ 4 = 11 ✓; 48 ÷ 4 = 12 ✓)*

Change to 5 mm needles. Begin st st with a knit (RS) row.

### Sleeve Shaping

**Increase row (RS):** k2, m1, knit to last 2 sts, m1, k2. *(2 sts increased)*

Work increase row every **8th row 12 (12, 11, 10, 11) times**, then every **6th row 0 (0, 2, 4, 4) times**.  
*Total increases: 24 (24, 26, 28, 30) sts.*  
*Stitches on needle: 64 (64, 70, 76, 78).*

Work straight until sleeve measures **46 (46, 47, 47, 48) cm / 18 (18, 18½, 18½, 19)"** from cast-on, ending with a WS row.

### Sleeve Cap (Set-In)

**BO 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts** at the beginning of the next 2 rows.  
*Stitches remaining: 56 (56, 60, 66, 66).*

**Decrease row (RS):** k2, ssk, knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.  
Work 1 WS row.  
Rep these 2 rows **13 (13, 14, 16, 16) more times**.  
*Stitches remaining: 28 (28, 30, 32, 32).*

**BO 3 sts** at beginning of the next 4 rows.  
*Stitches remaining: 16 (16, 18, 20, 20).*

**BO remaining sts.**

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## FINISHING

1. **Block** all pieces to measurements.
2. **Seam shoulders** using mattress stitch or three-needle bind-off.
3. **Set in sleeves:** Pin centre of sleeve cap to shoulder seam, match underarm bind-offs, ease cap into armhole and sew.
4. **Seam side and underarm seams** in one continuous line using mattress stitch.

### Neckband

With 4 mm circular needle and RS facing, beginning at right shoulder seam:  
- Pick up and knit **30 (34, 34, 36, 38) sts** across back neck (from holder),  
- **18 (18, 19, 20, 20) sts** down left front neck,  
- **18 (20, 22, 24, 26) sts** across centre front BO,  
- **18 (18, 19, 20, 20) sts** up right front neck.

**Total: 84 (90, 94, 100, 104) sts.**

*Adjust pickup by 1–2 sts if needed so total is divisible by... we need k2p2 rib divisible by 4: 84 ✓, 90 ✗, 94 ✗, 100 ✓, 104 ✓.*  
**For sizes M and L:** pick up **88 (96)** sts total instead — distribute the small adjustment evenly across the front neck edges.

Place marker, join in the round.  
Work k2, p2 rib for **3 cm / 1¼"**.  
Cast off loosely in pattern.

### Final Steps

Weave in all ends. Steam-block neckband and seams lightly. Allow to dry flat.

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**Enjoy your classic worsted pullover!** This timeless silhouette pairs well with everything and shows off the smooth fabric of stocking stitch beautifully. For a personalised touch, consider contrast-colour ribbing or adding a small textured panel to the front before working the neck shaping.