purlJam

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# FISHERMAN'S RIB DROP SHOULDER PULLOVER

A cozy, oversized pullover featuring the classic fisherman's rib stitch pattern. This boxy drop shoulder design is worked bottom-up in pieces and seamed, with sleeves picked up and knit down from the armholes. The wide boatneck requires no shaping, making this an ideal project for adventurous beginners ready to try a new stitch pattern.

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## SIZES
S (M, L, XL, 2XL)

**Finished Bust Circumference**: 51 (57, 63, 69, 75)" / 129.5 (145, 160, 175, 190.5) cm
*Designed to be worn with 8-12" / 20.5-30.5 cm of positive ease.*

**Sample shown in size M.**

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Worsted weight yarn
- **Yardage**: Approximately 1200 (1400, 1650, 1900, 2150) yards / 1097 (1280, 1509, 1737, 1966) m
  - *Note: Fisherman's rib uses 30-40% more yarn than stockinette. Purchase extra yarn to be safe.*

**Needles**: 
- US 7 (4.5 mm) needles for ribbing, or size needed to obtain gauge
- US 8 (5 mm) needles for main fabric, or size needed to obtain gauge
- Spare needle or stitch holders

**Notions**: 
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Measuring tape

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## GAUGE

**In Fisherman's Rib on larger needles** (after blocking):
- **16 stitches and 24 rows = 4" / 10 cm**
- **4 sts/inch and 6 rows/inch**

⚠️ **Gauge is critical!** Fisherman's rib has a very different gauge than stockinette. Take time to swatch and measure carefully. Swatch should be at least 6" square, worked in pattern, and blocked before measuring.

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## NOTES

- **Construction**: This pullover is worked bottom-up in pieces. The back and front are worked flat as rectangles with no armhole shaping. Shoulders are joined with seaming or 3-needle bind-off. Sleeves are picked up from the armhole edge and worked down to the cuff in the round.

- **Fisherman's Rib**: This stitch creates a thick, squishy, reversible fabric with excellent stretch and drape. It lies flat beautifully, making it perfect for a boxy drop shoulder design.

- **Fit**: This is designed as an oversized, boxy pullover with a relaxed drop shoulder. The shoulder seam will sit several inches down your upper arm.

- **Yarn Usage**: Fisherman's rib is yarn-hungry! It uses significantly more yarn than stockinette or regular ribbing. The yardage estimates include a buffer, but consider purchasing an extra skein.

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## STITCH GUIDE

**K1B (Knit One Below)**: Insert right needle into the stitch one row below the next stitch on left needle (poke through the center of the stitch below), and knit this stitch, slipping the stitch above off the needle at the same time. This is the key technique for fisherman's rib.

**1x1 Rib** (over even number of sts):
- **Row 1 (RS)**: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.
- **Row 2 (WS)**: *P1, k1; repeat from * to end.
- Repeat Rows 1-2.

**Fisherman's Rib** (over even number of sts):
- **Set-up Row (WS)**: Purl all stitches.
- **Row 1 (RS)**: *K1b, p1; repeat from * to end.
- **Row 2 (WS)**: *P1b, k1; repeat from * to end.
- Repeat Rows 1-2 for pattern.

*The fabric will look the same on both sides. After the first few rows, you'll see the distinctive brioche-like texture emerge.*

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## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### BACK

**With smaller needles, CO 102 (114, 126, 138, 150) sts.**

Work in 1x1 Rib for 2" / 5 cm, ending with a WS row.

**Change to larger needles.**

Work Set-up Row (WS): Purl all sts.

Begin Fisherman's Rib pattern:
- **Row 1 (RS)**: *K1b, p1; repeat from * to end.
- **Row 2 (WS)**: *P1b, k1; repeat from * to end.

Continue in Fisherman's Rib until piece measures **24 (24.5, 25, 25.5, 26)"** / **61 (62, 63.5, 65, 66) cm** from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

**Bind off all sts in pattern.** 
*(To bind off in pattern: work k1b or p1b as pattern indicates, then pass previous stitch over.)*

**Verification**: 
- S: 102 sts ÷ 4 sts/inch = 25.5" width ✓
- M: 114 sts ÷ 4 sts/inch = 28.5" width ✓
- L: 126 sts ÷ 4 sts/inch = 31.5" width ✓
- XL: 138 sts ÷ 4 sts/inch = 34.5" width ✓
- 2XL: 150 sts ÷ 4 sts/inch = 37.5" width ✓

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### FRONT

Work exactly as for Back.

**Verification**: Front and Back are identical rectangles ✓

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## FINISHING

### Join Shoulders

Block both pieces to measurements before seaming.

**Determine shoulder and neck dimensions:**

**For Size S**: 102 total sts
- Each shoulder: 28 sts (7" at 4 sts/inch)
- Center neck: 46 sts (11.5")
- Check: 28 + 46 + 28 = 102 sts ✓

**For Size M**: 114 total sts
- Each shoulder: 32 sts (8")
- Center neck: 50 sts (12.5")
- Check: 32 + 50 + 32 = 114 sts ✓

**For Size L**: 126 total sts
- Each shoulder: 36 sts (9")
- Center neck: 54 sts (13.5")
- Check: 36 + 54 + 36 = 126 sts ✓

**For Size XL**: 138 total sts
- Each shoulder: 40 sts (10")
- Center neck: 58 sts (14.5")
- Check: 40 + 58 + 40 = 138 sts ✓

**For Size 2XL**: 150 total sts
- Each shoulder: 44 sts (11")
- Center neck: 62 sts (15.5")
- Check: 44 + 62 + 44 = 150 sts ✓

**To Join**:
1. Place Back and Front with RS together, matching edges.
2. Starting at one armhole edge, seam the first 28 (32, 36, 40, 44) sts for shoulder using mattress stitch or backstitch.
3. Leave center 46 (50, 54, 58, 62) sts unworked for neck opening.
4. Seam remaining 28 (32, 36, 40, 44) sts for second shoulder.

*Alternatively, use 3-needle bind-off for shoulder seams.*

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### SLEEVES (make 2)

Sleeves are picked up from the armhole edge and worked down in the round.

**Armhole depth** = body width ÷ 2:
- S: 25.5" ÷ 2 = **12.75"** (approximately 77 rows at 6 rows/inch)
- M: 28.5" ÷ 2 = **14.25"** (approximately 86 rows)
- L: 31.5" ÷ 2 = **15.75"** (approximately 95 rows)
- XL: 34.5" ÷ 2 = **17.25"** (approximately 104 rows)
- 2XL: 37.5" ÷ 2 = **18.75"** (approximately 113 rows)

**With larger needles and RS facing, beginning at center of armhole depth (at underarm), pick up and knit:**
- **S**: 52 sts evenly around armhole
- **M**: 58 sts evenly around armhole
- **L**: 64 sts evenly around armhole
- **XL**: 70 sts evenly around armhole
- **2XL**: 76 sts evenly around armhole

*Pickup guidance: Pick up approximately 2 sts for every 3 rows. Mark beginning of round.*

**Join to work in the round. Place marker for beginning of round.**

**Verification of pickup**:
- S: 52 sts ÷ 4 sts/inch = 13" circumference ✓
- M: 58 sts ÷ 4 sts/inch = 14.5" circumference ✓
- L: 64 sts ÷ 4 sts/inch = 16" circumference ✓
- XL: 70 sts ÷ 4 sts/inch = 17.5" circumference ✓
- 2XL: 76 sts ÷ 4 sts/inch = 19" circumference ✓

**Set-up Round**: Purl all sts.

**Begin Fisherman's Rib in the round**:
- **Round 1**: *K1b, p1; repeat from * to end.
- **Round 2**: *K1b, p1; repeat from * to end.

*Note: In the round, both rounds are the same. Always k1b, p1.*

Work even in Fisherman's Rib for **1.5"** / **4 cm**.

**Begin decreases**:
- **Decrease Round**: K1, ssk, work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, p1. (2 sts decreased)
- Continue in pattern for 9 more rounds (10 rounds total).

Repeat these 10 rounds **5 (6, 7, 7, 8) more times**.

**Stitch count after all decreases**:
- S: 52 - 12 = 40 sts (10" circumference) ✓
- M: 58 - 14 = 44 sts (11" circumference) ✓
- L: 64 - 16 = 48 sts (12" circumference) ✓
- XL: 70 - 16 = 54 sts (13.5" circumference) ✓
- 2XL: 76 - 18 = 58 sts (14.5" circumference) ✓

Continue even in Fisherman's Rib until sleeve measures **16.5 (17, 17, 17.5, 17.5)"** / **42 (43, 43, 44.5, 44.5) cm** from pickup, or 2" / 5 cm less than desired length.

**Change to smaller needles.**

**Next Round**: Knit all sts (this transitions to regular ribbing).

Work in 1x1 Rib (k1, p1 around) for **2"** / **5 cm**.

**Bind off loosely in rib pattern.**

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## ASSEMBLY

1. Weave in all ends.
2. Seam underarm opening if any gap remains where sleeve meets body.
3. Block entire sweater to finished measurements, paying special attention to evening out the fisherman's rib fabric.

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## FINISHING MEASUREMENTS

| Size | S