purlJam

<pattern>

# OFF-THE-SHOULDER PULLOVER
## Pattern KN-PULL-007-OS

**Skill Level**: Beginner  
**Style**: Drop shoulder, off-the-shoulder boat neck, relaxed fit

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## DESCRIPTION

This easy-to-knit pullover features a wide boat neckline designed to be worn elegantly off one or both shoulders. The drop shoulder construction means no complicated shaping—just simple rectangles seamed together. The boxy, relaxed silhouette is flattering and comfortable, perfect for layering or wearing on its own. Sleeves are picked up and worked down from the armhole for a seamless look.

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## SIZES

S (M, L, XL, 2XL)

**Finished Bust Circumference**: 38 (42, 46, 50, 54)" / 96.5 (106.5, 117, 127, 137) cm  
*Designed with 6-8" / 15-20 cm positive ease for relaxed, slouchy fit*

**Sample shown**: Size M on 34" bust (8" positive ease)

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Worsted weight (#4 Medium) yarn  
- **Yardage**: 850 (950, 1100, 1250, 1400) yards / 777 (869, 1006, 1143, 1280) m
- **Sample**: Shown in Cascade 220 (100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 220 yards / 100g) in colorway Silver Grey, 4 (5, 5, 6, 7) skeins

**Needles**:
- US 8 (5 mm) 32" circular needle (or size needed to obtain gauge)
- US 6 (4 mm) 32" circular needle for ribbing
- US 8 (5 mm) 16" circular needle or DPNs for sleeves (optional, if working sleeves in the round)

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

---

## GAUGE

**18 stitches × 24 rows = 4" (10 cm)** in stockinette stitch on larger needles, blocked

### Gauge Swatch Instructions
Cast on 24 stitches using larger needles.
- Row 1 (RS): Knit.
- Row 2 (WS): Purl.
- Repeat Rows 1-2 until piece measures 5" from cast-on.
- Bind off and block swatch.
- Measure gauge over center 4" square.

**Gauge is critical**: Even 0.5 st/inch difference will significantly affect fit. Take time to swatch and adjust needle size if necessary.

---

## PATTERN NOTES

**Construction**: This pullover is worked flat in pieces from the bottom up. The Back and Front are worked as rectangles with no armhole shaping (drop shoulder style). The shoulders are seamed, leaving a wide center opening for the off-the-shoulder boat neck. Sleeves are picked up along the armhole edges and worked down to the cuff.

**Off-the-Shoulder Styling**: The wide boat neck is designed to sit below the shoulders, exposing the collarbone and shoulders. The neckline can be worn centered, or pulled to one side to expose one shoulder more dramatically.

**Fit Notes**: This sweater is designed with significant positive ease (6-8") for a relaxed, oversized look. Choose your size based on desired finished bust measurement, not body measurements.

**For Circular Knitting**: While the body is worked flat, you may choose to work sleeves in the round if you prefer. Instructions include notes for both methods.

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## STITCH PATTERNS

### K2, P2 Rib (worked flat over multiple of 4 sts)
- Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.
- Row 2 (WS): *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.
- Repeat Rows 1-2 for pattern.

### Stockinette Stitch (worked flat)
- Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
- Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
- Repeat Rows 1-2 for pattern.

---

## ABBREVIATIONS

- k = knit
- p = purl
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- BO = bind off
- CO = cast on
- pm = place marker
- rep = repeat
- * = repeat instructions between asterisks

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### BACK

Using smaller needles, CO 86 (94, 104, 112, 122) sts.

**Math Check**: 
- S: 19" × 4.5 sts/inch = 85.5, round to 86 (multiple of 2)
- M: 21" × 4.5 = 94.5 → 94 sts
- L: 23" × 4.5 = 103.5 → 104 sts
- XL: 25" × 4.5 = 112.5 → 112 sts
- 2XL: 27" × 4.5 = 121.5 → 122 sts

Note: All stitch counts are multiples of 2, and also divisible by 4 for ribbing pattern (86=21×4+2, adjusted from 84 for better proportion).

**Adjustment for ribbing**: For true k2/p2 rib, we need multiples of 4. Adjust as follows:
- S: Use 84 sts (21 reps of 4)
- M: Use 96 sts (24 reps of 4)
- L: Use 104 sts (26 reps of 4)
- XL: Use 112 sts (28 reps of 4)
- 2XL: Use 120 sts (30 reps of 4)

**REVISED CAST ON**: CO 84 (96, 104, 112, 120) sts using smaller needles.

Work in K2, P2 Rib for 2.5" (6.5 cm), ending with a WS row.

**Change to larger needles.**

Next Row (RS): Knit, increasing 2 (0, 2, 2, 4) st(s) evenly across row. **86 (96, 106, 114, 124) sts**

**Increase Math**:
- S: 84 + 2 = 86 sts (19.1" width) ✓
- M: 96 + 0 = 96 sts (21.3" width) ✓
- L: 104 + 2 = 106 sts (23.6" width) ✓
- XL: 112 + 2 = 114 sts (25.3" width) ✓
- 2XL: 120 + 4 = 124 sts (27.6" width) ✓

Work even in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) until piece measures **22 (23, 24, 25, 26)"** / 56 (58.5, 61, 63.5, 66) cm from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

**Bind off all stitches.**

### FRONT

Work exactly as for Back until piece measures **19 (20, 21, 22, 23)"** / 48 (51, 53.5, 56, 58.5) cm from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

**Shape Boat Neck**:

Next Row (RS): K16 (19, 21, 23, 25), BO center 54 (58, 64, 68, 74) sts, knit to end. **16 (19, 21, 23, 25) sts remain on each shoulder**

**Neck Math Check**:
- S: 86 total - 32 shoulders (16×2) = 54 center sts = 12" neck opening ✓
- M: 96 - 38 (19×2) = 58 = 12.9" ✓
- L: 106 - 42 (21×2) = 64 = 14.2" ✓
- XL: 114 - 46 (23×2) = 68 = 15.1" ✓
- 2XL: 124 - 50 (25×2) = 74 = 16.4" ✓

You will now work each shoulder separately.

**Left Shoulder** (as worn):
Working on first 16 (19, 21, 23, 25) sts only (leave remaining sts on hold or on spare needle):
- Next Row (WS): Purl.
- Next Row (RS): Knit.
- Next Row (WS): Purl.

Continue in stockinette until Front measures same length as Back, **22 (23, 24, 25, 26)"** from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row. This will be approximately 3" from start of neck shaping.

**Bind off all stitches.**

**Right Shoulder** (as worn):
With WS facing, rejoin yarn to remaining 16 (19, 21, 23, 25) sts.
- Next Row (WS): Purl.
- Next Row (RS): Knit.
- Next Row (WS): Purl.

Continue in stockinette until Front measures same length as Back, **22 (23, 24, 25, 26)"** from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

**Bind off all stitches.**

### JOINING SHOULDERS

With RS together, seam the shoulder edges using mattress stitch or preferred seaming method. Seam the outer 16 (19, 21, 23, 25) sts on each side, leaving the center open for the wide boat neck.

**Seaming Check**: After seaming, the neck opening should measure approximately 12 (13, 14, 15, 16)" / 30.5 (33, 35.5, 38, 40.5) cm across.

### SLEEVES (make 2)

**Sleeve Dimensions**:
- Armhole depth (pickup edge): 8 (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10)" / 20 (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm
- Upper arm circumference: 14 (15, 16, 17, 18)" / 35.5 (38, 40.5, 43, 45.5) cm
- Cuff circumference: 8 (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10)" / 20 (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm
- Sleeve length: 17 (17.5, 18, 18.5, 19)" / 43 (44.5, 45.5, 47, 48) cm

With RS of joined body facing and using larger needles, measure down **8 (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10)"** from shoulder seam on both Front and Back. Place markers at these points to mark the armhole opening.

**Row Math for Pickup**:
- Armhole depth: 8" × 6 rows/inch = 48 rows
- Pickup rate: approximately 3 sts for every 4 rows
- S: 48 rows × 0.75 = 36 sts pickup, but we need 63 sts for upper arm (14" × 4.5 = 63)
- Actually: pick up 1 st per row for initial pickup, then decrease

**REVISED PICKUP METHOD**:

Starting at marker on Front, pick up and knit stitches evenly along armhole edge to shoulder seam, then down to marker on Back:
- S: Pick up **63