purlJam

Easy Boxy Drop-Shoulder Boatneck Jumper
Difficulty: Easy
Yarn weight: Bulky

Description
A relaxed, boxy drop-shoulder pullover with a simple boatneck. Front and back are plain rectangles; sleeves are picked up and worked down. Minimal shaping makes this ideal for beginners. Generous positive ease for a comfortable oversized look.

Sizes
S (M, L, XL, 2XL)
To fit bust: 80–90 (90–100, 100–110, 110–120, 120–130) cm (31½–35½ [35½–39½, 39½–43½, 43½–47¼, 47¼–51¼] in)
Finished bust: 100 (110, 120, 130, 140) cm (39½ [43¼, 47¼, 51¼, 55] in)
Finished length (hem to shoulder): 58 (60, 62, 64, 66) cm (22¾ [23½, 24½, 25¼, 26] in)
Sleeve length (underarm to cuff): 42 (43, 43, 44, 44) cm (16½ [17, 17, 17¼, 17¼] in)
Shown with approx 15–25 cm (6–10 in) positive ease.

Yarn
Bulky-weight yarn (approx 100–120 m per 100 g)
Approx 900 (1000, 1100, 1250, 1400) m (985 [1095, 1205, 1370, 1530] yd)
Sample uses a smooth wool-blend bulky.

Needles & Notions

• 6 mm (UK 4 / US 10) straight or circular needles for rib
• 6.5 mm (UK 3 / US 10½) straight or circular needles for main fabric
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors

Tension (Gauge)
14 sts and 20 rows = 10 cm (4 in) over stocking stitch on 6.5 mm needles.
Check tension carefully; change needle size if necessary to obtain correct tension.

Abbreviations (UK)
beg = beginning
CO = cast on
dec = decrease
k = knit
k2tog = knit 2 together
p = purl
p2tog = purl 2 together
rem = remain(ing)
rep = repeat
RS = right side
st(s) = stitch(es)
st st = stocking stitch (RS k, WS p)
WS = wrong side
yo = yarn over

Pattern Notes

• Worked flat in pieces.
• Boatneck requires no neck shaping: simply leave centre stitches unseamed.
• When picking up sleeve stitches, aim for approx 3 sts for every 4 rows to keep edge smooth.
• All measurements given in centimetres with inches in parentheses.
• Instructions are for smallest size; larger sizes in parentheses. Where only one number is given it applies to all sizes.

BACK
With 6 mm needles CO 70 (78, 84, 92, 98) sts.
Rib row 1 (RS): *K1, p1; rep from * to end.
Rib row 2 (WS): *K1, p1; rep from * to end.
Rep Rib rows 1–2 until rib measures 5 cm (2 in), ending after a WS row.
Change to 6.5 mm needles.
Beg with a RS knit row, work in st st until piece measures 58 (60, 62, 64, 66) cm (22¾ [23½, 24½, 25¼, 26] in) from CO edge, ending after a WS row.
Cast off all sts knitwise.
(70 sts ÷ 14 sts per 10 cm = 50 cm width ✓; 78 sts ≈ 55.5 cm ✓; 84 sts = 60 cm ✓; 92 sts ≈ 65.5 cm ✓; 98 sts = 70 cm ✓)

FRONT
Work exactly as for Back.
(No neck shaping required for boatneck.)

SHOULDER SEAMS & BOATNECK
Block pieces lightly to measurements.
With RS together, join right shoulder seam for 12 (13, 14, 15, 16) cm (4¾ [5, 5½, 6, 6¼] in) using mattress stitch or backstitch (approx 17 [18, 20, 21, 22] sts).
Repeat for left shoulder.
Centre boatneck opening left unseamed: approx 26 (29.5, 32, 35.5, 38) cm (10¼ [11½, 12½, 14, 15] in).
(Total width 50 cm − 2 × 12 cm = 26 cm neck ✓; same proportion holds for larger sizes.)

SLEEVES (make 2)
Lay Front and Back flat, RS up. Measure 21 (22, 23, 24, 25) cm (8¼ [8¾, 9, 9½, 9¾] in) down from shoulder seam along each side edge and place markers for armhole depth.
With 6.5 mm needles and RS facing, pick up and knit 60 (64, 66, 70, 72) sts evenly between markers on one armhole (Front + Back edges).
(21 cm × 2 = 42 cm armhole perimeter; 42 ÷ 10 × 14 ≈ 59 sts, rounded to 60 ✓; larger sizes follow same ratio.)
Beg with a WS purl row, work 5 rows straight in st st.
Shape sleeve
Dec row (RS): K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (2 sts dec)
Work 5 rows straight.
Rep Dec row every 6th row a further 15 (16, 16, 17, 17) times.
28 (30, 32, 34, 36) sts rem.
(60 − 2 × 16 = 28 sts ✓; 64 − 2 × 17 = 30 ✓; 66 − 2 × 17 = 32 ✓; 70 − 2 × 18 = 34 ✓; 72 − 2 × 18 = 36 ✓)
Continue straight in st st until sleeve measures 37 (38, 38, 39, 39) cm (14½ [15, 15, 15¼, 15¼] in) from pickup, ending after a WS row.
Change to 6 mm needles.
Cuff rib
Next row (RS): *K1, p1; rep from * to end.
Rep last row until cuff measures 5 cm (2 in).
Cast off loosely in rib.

FINISHING
Join side seams from hem to armhole markers using mattress stitch.
Join sleeve seams from cuff to underarm.
Weave in all ends.
Gently block finished jumper to measurements, taking care not to stretch the boatneck.
Optional: work a round of double crochet (UK) or slip-stitch edging around boatneck if a firmer edge is desired.

Care
Follow yarn label. Hand wash cool, lay flat to dry.

Enjoy your new easy boxy jumper!