purlJam

<pattern>

# HIBISCUS PULLOVER
**A Beginner-Friendly Drop Shoulder Sweater**

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## OVERVIEW

The Hibiscus Pullover is a relaxed, boxy long-sleeve sweater perfect for beginners. Featuring a classic drop shoulder construction with no complicated shaping, this pullover works up quickly in stockinette stitch with ribbed edges. The simple silhouette provides a comfortable, modern fit with an easy boatneck opening. Optional eyelet details add a tropical touch inspired by hibiscus blooms.

**Difficulty Level**: Beginner  
**Construction**: Flat knitting, seamed (Front and Back are identical rectangles; sleeves picked up and worked down)

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Worsted weight (#4 Medium) yarn  
- Approximately 1000 (1150, 1300, 1450, 1600) yards

*Suggested yarn*: Any worsted weight wool, cotton, or acrylic blend  
*Color suggestions*: Tropical shades like coral, fuchsia, sunny yellow, or classic cream

**Needles**: 
- US 8 (5mm) straight or circular needles for flat knitting (body)
- US 8 (5mm) 16" circular needle for sleeves
- US 6 (4mm) needles for ribbing (or size needed for slightly firmer rib)

**Notions**:
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- Stitch holders or waste yarn (optional)

---

## GAUGE

**18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches** in stockinette stitch on US 8 (5mm) needles, blocked

*To check gauge*: Cast on 24 stitches, work in stockinette for 5 inches, bind off. Block swatch and measure the center 4" × 4" area. Gauge is critical for proper fit.

---

## SIZES

**S (M, L, XL, 2XL)**

### Finished Measurements:
- **Bust circumference**: 38 (42, 46, 50, 54)" — *Choose a size with 4-6" positive ease*
- **Body length**: 24 (24.5, 25, 25.5, 26)" from shoulder to hem
- **Sleeve length**: 17.5 (18, 18, 18.5, 18.5)" from underarm to cuff
- **Armhole depth**: 8.5 (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5)"

### To choose your size:
Measure your actual bust circumference. Add 4-6" for a relaxed, boxy fit. Select the finished bust measurement closest to this number.

*Example*: If your bust measures 36", choose Size S (38") for 2" ease or Size M (42") for 6" ease and a more oversized look.

---

## PATTERN NOTES

- **Construction**: The front and back are worked identically as flat rectangles from hem to shoulder. Shoulders are seamed with the center left open for the boatneck. Sleeves are picked up along the armhole edge and worked down in the round (or flat) to the cuff.

- **Drop shoulder style**: The shoulder seam sits well down on the upper arm, creating a relaxed, casual silhouette. There is NO armhole shaping—sides are completely straight.

- **Stitch pattern**: Stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) with 2×2 ribbing at hems and cuffs.

- **Optional Hibiscus detail**: For a decorative touch, you may work a simple eyelet row in the body (instructions provided in Notes section).

- **Seaming vs. circular**: Sleeves are written to be worked in the round. If you prefer flat knitting, work in stockinette stitch (alternating knit and purl rows) and seam the sleeve when complete.

---

## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### BACK

**With smaller needles (US 6/4mm), cast on 172 (188, 208, 224, 244) stitches.**

*Math check: 38" × 4.5 sts/inch = 171 sts, rounded to 172 (multiple of 4) ✓*  
*42" × 4.5 = 189 sts → 188 ✓*  
*46" × 4.5 = 207 sts → 208 ✓*  
*50" × 4.5 = 225 sts → 224 ✓*  
*54" × 4.5 = 243 sts → 244 ✓*

**Ribbing**:  
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.  
Row 2 (WS): *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Repeat these 2 rows until ribbing measures **2.5 inches**, ending with a WS row.

*Rows: 2.5" × 6 rows/inch = 15 rows ✓*

**Switch to larger needles (US 8/5mm).**

**Body**:  
Work in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) until piece measures **24 (24.5, 25, 25.5, 26) inches** from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

*Rows from end of rib to shoulder: 21.5" × 6 rows/inch = 129 rows (for size S) — approximately 130 rows ✓*

**Bind off all stitches loosely.**

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### FRONT

Work exactly as for Back.

---

### JOINING SHOULDERS

Lay Front and Back pieces together with right sides facing.

**Shoulder seams**:
- Starting from the right edge, seam (or use 3-needle bind off for) the first **60 (66, 74, 80, 88) stitches**.

*Math check for Size S: 172 total sts. Neck = 52 sts (11.5"). Shoulders = (172-52)/2 = 60 sts per side ✓*  
*Size M: 188 sts. Neck = 56 sts (12.4"). Shoulders = (188-56)/2 = 66 sts ✓*  
*Size L: 208 sts. Neck = 60 sts (13.3"). Shoulders = (208-60)/2 = 74 sts ✓*  
*Size XL: 224 sts. Neck = 64 sts (14.2"). Shoulders = (224-64)/2 = 80 sts ✓*  
*Size 2XL: 244 sts. Neck = 68 sts (15.1"). Shoulders = (244-68)/2 = 88 sts ✓*

- Leave the center **52 (56, 60, 64, 68) stitches** unworked for the boatneck opening.

*Neck opening width: 52 sts ÷ 4.5 sts/inch = 11.5" (Size S) ✓*

- Seam the remaining **60 (66, 74, 80, 88) stitches** for the left shoulder.

**Result**: You now have a tube with open armholes and a wide boatneck opening.

---

### SLEEVES (make 2)

Sleeves are worked in the round from the armhole edge down to the cuff.

**Setup**:
- With RS facing and larger circular needles (US 8/5mm, 16"), starting at the center underarm, **pick up and knit 76 (82, 86, 90, 94) stitches** evenly around the armhole opening.

*Math check: Armhole depth = 8.5" for Size S*  
*8.5" × 24 rows/4" = 51 rows*  
*Pick up approximately 3 sts for every 4 rows = 51 × 3/4 = 38 sts per side × 2 = 76 sts total ✓*  
*Size M: 9" × 6 rows/inch = 54 rows → 82 sts ✓*  
*Size L: 9.5" × 6 = 57 rows → 86 sts ✓*  
*Size XL: 10" × 6 = 60 rows → 90 sts ✓*  
*Size 2XL: 10.5" × 6 = 63 rows → 94 sts ✓*

- Place marker and join for working in the round.

**Upper sleeve**:  
Knit every round (stockinette in the round) for **1 inch**.

*Rounds: 1" × 6 rnds/inch = 6 rounds ✓*

**Sleeve shaping**:  
Decrease Round: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (2 sts decreased)

Repeat Decrease Round every **8 rounds** a total of **10 (11, 11, 11, 12) times**.

*Size S: 76 sts - 20 sts = 56 sts remaining*  
*Final sleeve circumference: 56 sts ÷ 4.5 sts/inch = 12.4" (appropriate for wrist/lower forearm) ✓*  
*Size M: 82 - 22 = 60 sts (13.3") ✓*  
*Size L: 86 - 22 = 64 sts (14.2") ✓*  
*Size XL: 90 - 22 = 68 sts (15.1") ✓*  
*Size 2XL: 94 - 24 = 70 sts (15.5") ✓*

**56 (60, 64, 68, 70) stitches remain.**

Continue working even in stockinette until sleeve measures **15 (15.5, 15.5, 16, 16) inches** from pickup edge, or 2.5" less than desired finished length.

*Total sleeve length after decreases and straight section = 17.5" for Size S ✓*

**Cuff**:  
Switch to smaller needles (US 6/4mm).

Next Round: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Continue in 2×2 rib until cuff measures **2.5 inches**.

Bind off loosely in pattern.

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### FINISHING

**Side seams**:  
With tapestry needle and yarn, seam the sides of the body from hem to underarm on both sides, leaving the armhole openings free.

**Weave in ends**: Use tapestry needle to weave in all yarn tails on the wrong side.

**Blocking**:  
Wet block or steam block the finished sweater to measurements. Lay flat and pin to dimensions provided in the schematic. Allow to dry completely.

**Optional Hibiscus Eyelet Detail**:  
For a decorative touch, you may work an eyelet row in the body. When working the back and front, at approximately 6" from the hem, work the following:

Eyelet Row (RS): K2, *yo, k2tog, k4; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.  
Next Row (WS): Purl.

Resume stockinette stitch.

---

## SCHEMATIC

```
BODY (Front and Back identical):
┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│                                 │ 8.5 (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5)"
│                                 │ armhole depth
├─────┐               ┌───────