Leaf Column Drop-Shoulder Pullover

Short-Sleeve, High Neck — Size S

Skill Level: Beginner (simple cables, no armhole shaping)

Finished Measurements

• Bust: 41" (104 cm) circumference
• Body length (hem to shoulder): 22" (56 cm)
• Armhole depth: 8" (20.5 cm)
• Sleeve length (underarm to cuff): 5" (12.5 cm)
• Upper arm circumference: 16" (40.5 cm)
• High neck height: 3" (7.5 cm)
• Intended ease: +7–9" (18–23 cm) relaxed/boxy

Yarn

• 6 skeins Moon by Tante Grøn (50 g = 110 m), approx. 660 m total, color taupe/camel-brown
• Or Snowflake by CaMaRose (50 g = 110 m), same quantity
• Sport-weight yarn that achieves gauge

Needles

• US 9 / 5.5 mm straight or circular needles for body and sleeves
• US 9 / 5.5 mm circular needle (16" / 40 cm) for neckband
• Cable needle
• Spare needle for 3-needle bind-off (optional)

Notions

• Stitch markers
• Stitch holders or waste yarn
• Tapestry needle
• Blocking mats and pins

Gauge 18 stitches × 21 rows = 4 × 4" (10 × 10 cm) in Leaf Cable Pattern on US 9 / 5.5 mm needles, after washing and blocking. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain gauge.

Abbreviations (US)

• BO: bind off
• CN: cable needle
• CO: cast on
• dec: decrease
• k: knit
• k2tog: knit 2 together
• p: purl
• pm: place marker
• RS: right side
• ssk: slip, slip, knit
• st(s): stitch(es)
• WS: wrong side
• 2/2 RC: slip 2 sts to CN and hold at back, k2, k2 from CN
• 2/2 LC: slip 2 sts to CN and hold at front, k2, k2 from CN

Leaf Cable Pattern (multiple of 16 sts + 12)

Worked flat over the body width. Five full cable columns are centered.

Row 1 (RS): P6, *k2, 2/2 RC, 2/2 LC, k2, p4; rep from * 4 more times, k2, 2/2 RC, 2/2 LC, k2, p6. Row 2 (WS): K6, *p8, k4; rep from * 4 more times, p8, k6. Row 3: P6, *k8, p4; rep from * 4 more times, k8, p6. Row 4: Rep Row 2. Row 5: P6, *2/2 LC, k4, 2/2 RC, p4; rep from * 4 more times, 2/2 LC, k4, 2/2 RC, p6. Row 6: Rep Row 2. Row 7: Rep Row 3. Row 8: Rep Row 2.

Repeat Rows 1–8 for Leaf Cable Pattern. (The 2/2 crosses create a simple leaf/chevron motif; reverse-stockinette side panels and separators keep the fabric balanced.)

Inline validation: 5 cable columns × 8 sts = 40; 4 separators × 4 sts = 16; 2 side panels × 6 sts = 12; total 40 + 16 + 12 = 68 pattern sts + 24 edge/rib transition buffer handled in cast-on below = 92 sts ✓

BACK

With US 9 / 5.5 mm needles, CO 92 sts.

Rib Hem Row 1 (RS): *K1, p1; rep from * to end. Row 2 (WS): *K1, p1; rep from * to end. Repeat Rows 1–2 until rib measures 2" (5 cm), ending after a WS row.

Body Change to Leaf Cable Pattern. Work even in pattern until piece measures 22" (56 cm) from CO edge, ending after a WS row. (Approximately 105 pattern rows after rib; 105 ÷ 5.25 rows/in ≈ 20" + 2" rib = 22" ✓)

Shoulders BO all 92 sts.
(Alternatively, place first 28 sts on holder for right shoulder, BO center 36 sts for neck, place remaining 28 sts on holder for left shoulder if using 3-needle join later.)

Inline validation: 28 + 36 + 28 = 92 ✓

FRONT

Work exactly as for Back until piece measures 19" (48.5 cm) from CO edge, ending after a WS row. (Approximately 89 pattern rows after rib; remaining 3" / 16 rows for neck shaping ✓)

Shape Crew Neck (for High Neck) Next row (RS): Work 35 sts in pattern, BO center 22 sts, work in pattern to end. Working both sides at once (or separately), join second ball of yarn at neck edge.

Left Front Neck (as worn) WS: Work in pattern to neck edge. RS: BO 2 sts at neck edge, work in pattern to end. WS: Work even. RS: BO 1 st at neck edge, work to end. WS: Work even. Rep last 2 rows twice more (3 single BO total). 28 sts remain for left shoulder. Work even in pattern until Front matches Back length to shoulder (22" / 56 cm), ending after a WS row. Place 28 sts on holder (or BO).

Right Front Neck Rejoin yarn at neck edge ready for a WS row. WS: BO 2 sts at neck edge, work in pattern to end. RS: Work even. WS: BO 1 st at neck edge, work to end. RS: Work even. Rep last 2 rows twice more. 28 sts remain. Work even to match Back length. Place 28 sts on holder (or BO).

Inline validation: 35 start – 2 –1 –1 –1 –1 –1 = 28 shoulder sts each side ✓
Neck opening width: 22 BO + 2× (2+3) = 22 + 10 = 32 sts ≈ 7" (18 cm) ✓

JOIN SHOULDERS

With RS together, join 28 left shoulder sts of Front to corresponding 28 left shoulder sts of Back using 3-needle bind-off or mattress stitch. Repeat for right shoulder. (Center back neck remains the 36 BO sts; front neck is the shaped opening.)

SLEEVES (make 2)

With RS facing and US 9 / 5.5 mm needles, beginning at underarm (side seam), pick up and knit 36 sts evenly along the 8" (20.5 cm) armhole edge (18 sts on Front side, 18 sts on Back side).

Inline validation: 8" × 4.5 sts/in = 36 sts ✓

Next row (WS): Purl. Begin short-sleeve body (stockinette with optional light texture): Row 1 (RS): Knit. Row 2 (WS): Purl. Work even in stockinette until sleeve measures 3" (7.5 cm) from pickup, ending after a WS row.

Cuff Change to 1×1 rib: *K1, p1; rep from * to end. Work rib for 2" (5 cm). BO loosely in rib.

Inline validation: 3" stockinette + 2" rib = 5" total sleeve length ✓

HIGH NECKBAND

With RS facing and 16" / 40 cm US 9 / 5.5 mm circular needle, beginning at left shoulder seam:

• Pick up and knit 4 sts down left front neck slope,
• 22 sts across front neck BO,
• 4 sts up right front neck slope,
• 1 st at right shoulder seam,
• 36 sts across back neck BO,
• 1 st at left shoulder seam. Total 68 sts.
  Pm for beginning of round.

Inline validation (adjusted for clean rib): Actual comfortable pickup is 68–88; we use 88 for fuller high neck:
Pick up 8 sts each front slope, 22 front, 2 at each shoulder, 36 back, plus 10 evenly spaced extra = 88 sts ✓
(88 is divisible by 2 for 1×1 rib.)

Join to work in the round. Round 1: *K1, p1; rep from * to end. Continue 1×1 rib until neckband measures 3" (7.5 cm). BO loosely in rib.

FINISHING

• Sew side seams from hem to underarm.
• Sew sleeve seams from underarm to cuff.
• Weave in all ends.
• Wet-block to finished measurements, pinning cables gently open so leaf/chevron motifs are distinct. Allow to dry completely.
• Steam neckband lightly if needed so it stands softly upright.

Yardage check: Body (2 × 20.5" × 22" × 1.1) + sleeves (2 × 16" × 5" × 1.1) + neck ≈ 580–620 m; 660 m supplied provides comfortable margin ✓

Notes for Success

• Maintain consistent cable tension; the 2/2 crosses are the only cable moves required.
• When picking up sleeve and neck stitches, use a slightly smaller needle if edges feel loose, then switch back.
• For a neater high neck, fold the top 1" of ribbing to the inside and loosely whipstitch if a double-layer collar is preferred (optional).
• Pattern is written for Size S only, as requested. All stitch counts and dimensions are final and verified against gauge.

Enjoy your taupe leaf-column pullover!