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# COLORBLOCK DROP-SHOULDER PULLOVER

A beginner-friendly machine-knit pullover featuring a cheerful five-color stripe design. This drop-shoulder style uses straight rectangular panels with minimal shaping, making it perfect for knitters new to garment construction on the knitting machine.

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## MACHINE SETUP

**Machine Configuration:**
- Standard gauge knitting machine (main bed)
- Ribber attachment required for neckband only
- Single bed for all main panels

**Preparation Steps:**
1. Thread machine for waste yarn (contrasting scrap yarn in similar weight)
2. Set tension dial to T10 for waste yarn
3. Have cast-on comb and claw weights ready
4. Prepare ravel cord (smooth contrasting yarn for provisional cast-on)

**Swatch Instructions:**
Before beginning, knit a tension swatch:
1. Cast on 40 sts using waste yarn method (10 rows at T10)
2. Knit 1 row ravel cord
3. Set tension to T6, knit 40 rows in main color (lilac)
4. Switch to T7, knit 40 rows in main color
5. Release from machine, remove waste yarn
6. Steam swatch lightly with press cloth
7. Measure after resting 30 minutes
8. Adjust tension dial: aim for 4.5 sts/inch and 6.5 rows/inch
9. Most knitters will use T6-7 for worsted weight; select the dial position that gives you gauge

**Recommended Tension Settings:**
- Main body: T6 or T7 (test both on your swatch)
- Ribbing: T4 on ribber, T6 on main bed
- All colors use same tension unless noted

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn:**
- Worsted weight yarn (approximately 270 yards per skein):
  - Color A (Lilac): 3 skeins (810 yards)
  - Color B (Coral): 2 skeins (540 yards)
  - Color C (Ink): 2 skeins (540 yards)
  - Color D (White-Gray): 2 skeins (540 yards)
  - Color E (Blue): 2 skeins (540 yards)

**Notions:**
- Waste yarn (smooth, contrasting color, similar weight)
- Ravel cord (smooth cotton or acrylic)
- Cast-on comb and claw weights
- Additional claw weights for body (3-4 weights recommended)
- Transfer tools (single and multiple-prong)
- Latch tool for bind-off
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- Stitch markers (to mark armhole depth)
- Steam iron and press cloth
- Sweater blocking board (optional but recommended)

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## GAUGE AND TENSION

**Target Gauge (after steaming):**
- 4.5 stitches = 1 inch (18 stitches = 4 inches)
- 6.5 rows = 1 inch (26 rows = 4 inches)
- Measured in stockinette on main bed at T6-7

**Measuring Your Swatch:**
1. Remove swatch from machine
2. Remove waste yarn carefully
3. Steam lightly with press cloth (do not press heavily; let steam relax fibers)
4. Lay flat and allow to rest 30 minutes
5. Measure across center of swatch, avoiding edges
6. Count stitches and rows over 4-inch section
7. Calculate: (stitch count ÷ 4) should equal 4.5 sts/inch
8. If gauge is too loose (fewer sts/inch), increase tension dial number
9. If gauge is too tight (more sts/inch), decrease tension dial number

**Critical:** Achieving correct gauge ensures proper fit. Do not skip the swatch.

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## SCHEMATIC AND SIZES

**Finished Measurements:**

| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|------|---|---|---|-----|
| Finished Chest | 38" | 42" | 46" | 50" |
| Body Length | 24" | 25" | 26" | 27" |
| Sleeve Length | 18" | 18.5" | 19" | 19.5" |
| Upper Arm Width | 16" | 17" | 18" | 19" |

**Fit:** Designed with 4-6" positive ease (choose size 4-6" larger than actual chest measurement)

**Stitch and Row Counts:**

| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|------|-----|-----|-----|-----|
| Back/Front Width (sts) | 86 | 95 | 104 | 113 |
| Body Length (rows) | 156 | 163 | 169 | 176 |
| Sleeve Cuff (sts) | 41 | 43 | 45 | 47 |
| Sleeve Upper Arm (sts) | 72 | 77 | 81 | 86 |
| Sleeve Length (rows) | 117 | 120 | 124 | 127 |

**Color Pattern:**
The pullover uses a striped colorblock design:
- Stripe Sequence (repeating): 20 rows A (Lilac), 16 rows B (Coral), 16 rows C (Ink), 16 rows D (White-Gray), 16 rows E (Blue)
- Pattern repeat = 84 rows
- Begin and end all pieces with Color A (Lilac) for consistency

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## BACK PANEL

**Stitch Count:** 86 (95, 104, 113) sts  
**Total Rows:** 156 (163, 169, 176) rows

**Setup:**
1. With waste yarn at T10, cast on 86 (95, 104, 113) sts
2. Bring needles to working position from center out: 43L-43R (48L-47R, 52L-52R, 57L-56R)
3. COL, knit 10 rows waste yarn
4. Knit 1 row ravel cord
5. Change to Color A (Lilac), set tension to T6 or T7 (per your swatch)
6. Hang cast-on comb and claw weight

**Body (RC000-RC156/163/169/176):**

Set RC to 000.

*Size S only:*
- RC000-019: Color A (Lilac) – 20 rows [COL at RC020]
- RC020-035: Color B (Coral) – 16 rows [COL at RC036]
- RC036-051: Color C (Ink) – 16 rows [COL at RC052]
- RC052-067: Color D (White-Gray) – 16 rows [COL at RC068]
- RC068-083: Color E (Blue) – 16 rows [COL at RC084]
- RC084-103: Color A (Lilac) – 20 rows [COL at RC104]
- RC104-119: Color B (Coral) – 16 rows [COL at RC120]
- RC120-135: Color C (Ink) – 16 rows [COL at RC136]
- RC136-151: Color D (White-Gray) – 16 rows [COL at RC152]
- RC152-155: Color E (Blue) – 4 rows [COL at RC156]
- **At RC156: COL, piece complete**

*Size M only:*
- Follow stripe pattern as for Size S through RC084
- RC084-103: Color A (Lilac) – 20 rows [COL at RC104]
- RC104-119: Color B (Coral) – 16 rows [COL at RC120]
- RC120-135: Color C (Ink) – 16 rows [COL at RC136]
- RC136-151: Color D (White-Gray) – 16 rows [COL at RC152]
- RC152-162: Color E (Blue) – 11 rows [COL at RC163]
- **At RC163: COL, piece complete**

*Size L only:*
- Follow stripe pattern through RC136
- RC136-151: Color D (White-Gray) – 16 rows [COL at RC152]
- RC152-167: Color E (Blue) – 16 rows [COL at RC168]
- RC168: Color A (Lilac) – 1 row [COL at RC169]
- **At RC169: COL, piece complete**

*Size XL only:*
- Follow stripe pattern through RC152
- RC152-167: Color E (Blue) – 16 rows [COL at RC168]
- RC168-175: Color A (Lilac) – 8 rows [COL at RC176]
- **At RC176: COL, piece complete**

**Weight Management:**
- At RC040, hang additional claw weight on each side
- At RC080, check that weights hang freely; add third weight if fabric curls

**Completion:**
- With COL, knit 6 rows waste yarn at T10
- Release from machine carefully
- Mark center stitch with safety pin or marker

**Math Check (Size S):** 86 sts ÷ 4.5 sts/inch = 19.1" ✓ | 156 rows ÷ 6.5 rows/inch = 24" ✓

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## FRONT PANEL

**Stitch Count:** 86 (95, 104, 113) sts  
**Total Rows:** 156 (163, 169, 176) rows (including neckline shaping)

**Setup:**
1. Cast on exactly as for Back Panel
2. Follow same stripe sequence as Back

**Body (RC000 to neckline start):**

The neckline shaping begins at:
- Size S: RC143 (13 rows before end)
- Size M: RC150 
- Size L: RC156
- Size XL: RC163

Knit straight following stripe pattern until you reach the neckline start row.

**Neckline Shaping:**

*All Sizes:*
- Neckline width: 32 sts (center)
- Shoulder stitches: 27 (32, 36, 41) sts each side
- Neckline depth: 13 rows

**Detailed Neckline Instructions (Size S):**

At RC143, COL, ready to begin neckline:

1. **RC143:** COL. Place center 32 sts into hold position (16L to 16R, push to hold). Carriage will knit right shoulder only. Knit 1 row. [COR at RC144]

2. **RC144:** COR. At right neck edge (17R), place 3 sts into hold (17R-19R). Knit to left. [COL at RC145]

3. **RC145:** COL. At left neck edge (17L), place 3 sts into hold (17L-19L). Knit to right. [COR at RC146]

4. **RC146:** COR. Place 2 sts into hold at right edge (20R-21R). Knit to left. [COL at RC147]

5. **RC147:** COL. Place 2 sts into hold at left edge (20L-21L). Knit to right. [COR at RC148]

6. **RC148:** COR. Place 1 st into hold at right edge (22R). Knit to left. [COL at RC149]

7. **RC149:** COL. Place 1 st into hold at left edge (22L). Knit to right. [COR at RC150]

8. **RC150-155:** Knit straight on remaining 27 sts each shoulder (6 rows). [COL at RC156]

**Right Shoulder (27 sts remain in work: 43R-22R):**
- At RC156, COL, knit 6 rows waste yarn at T10
- Release right shoulder from machine

**Left Shoulder (27 sts, return to work: 22L-43L):**
- Return left shoulder needles to working position
- Rehang carriage on left side
- COL, knit 6 rows waste yarn at T10
- Release