purlJam

# The Cloud Drop Pullover
### A Boxy Boatneck Jumper in Mohair & Alpaca

A relaxed, beginner-friendly drop-shoulder jumper worked flat in four simple pieces. The halo of mohair held with the softness of alpaca creates a dreamy, lightweight fabric that is both warm and elegant. With no armhole shaping and a slip-on boatneck, this is a wonderful first jumper project.

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## Sizes
**S (M, L, XL, 2XL)**
- To fit bust: 81 (91, 101, 111, 121) cm / 32 (36, 40, 44, 48) in
- Finished bust: 96 (106, 116, 126, 136) cm / 38 (42, 46, 50, 53½) in
- Designed with 13–15 cm (5–6 in) of positive ease for a boxy fit.

*Sample shown in size M.*

---

## Finished Measurements
| Measurement | S | M | L | XL | 2XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bust circumference | 96 cm | 106 cm | 116 cm | 126 cm | 136 cm |
| Length (hem to shoulder) | 60 cm | 62 cm | 63 cm | 64 cm | 65 cm |
| Armhole depth | 24 cm | 25 cm | 26 cm | 27 cm | 28 cm |
| Sleeve length (underarm to cuff) | 44 cm | 44 cm | 44 cm | 44 cm | 44 cm |
| Upper arm circumference | 48 cm | 50 cm | 52 cm | 54 cm | 56 cm |

---

## Materials

**Yarn:** A blend of mohair and alpaca held together to achieve worsted weight (or a single worsted-weight mohair/alpaca blend).
- *Suggestion:* 1 strand of DK-weight alpaca + 1 strand of lace-weight mohair held together.
- Total yardage required: **850 (950, 1050, 1150, 1250) m** / 930 (1040, 1150, 1260, 1370) yds

**Needles:**
- 5 mm (UK 6 / US 8) straight or circular needles — main fabric
- 4 mm (UK 8 / US 6) needles — ribbing
- *Always use the size needed to achieve tension.*

**Notions:**
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Stitch holders or waste yarn
- Measuring tape

---

## Tension (Gauge)
**18 sts × 24 rows = 10 cm (4 in)** in stocking stitch on 5 mm needles, after gentle blocking.

> 💡 **Beginner Tip:** Mohair is very difficult to unravel. Please knit a generous tension swatch (at least 15 × 15 cm) and block it before beginning. Adjust needle size if necessary.

---

## Abbreviations
- **k** — knit
- **p** — purl
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **CO** — cast on
- **BO** — cast off (bind off)
- **k2tog** — knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
- **ssk** — slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- **RS / WS** — right side / wrong side
- **rep** — repeat
- **rem** — remaining

---

## Pattern Notes
- The jumper is worked **flat in four pieces**: Back, Front, and two Sleeves.
- Front and Back are identical rectangles — no armhole or neck shaping.
- After seaming the shoulders, sleeves are **picked up along the straight side edge** and worked downward to the cuff.
- The boatneck is created naturally by leaving the centre stitches un-seamed at the shoulders.

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## BACK

With **4 mm needles**, CO **86 (96, 104, 114, 122) sts**.

**Ribbing (2×2 rib):**
- Row 1 (RS): k2, *p2, k2; rep from * to end.
- Row 2 (WS): p2, *k2, p2; rep from * to end.

Work in rib until piece measures **6 cm** from cast-on, ending with a WS row.

> ✅ *Maths check: 86 sts ÷ 18 sts × 10 cm ≈ 47.8 cm wide × 2 pieces = 95.6 cm ≈ 96 cm bust ✓*

**Body:**
Change to **5 mm needles**.

- Row 1 (RS): Knit all sts.
- Row 2 (WS): Purl all sts.

Repeat these 2 rows in stocking stitch until piece measures **60 (62, 63, 64, 65) cm** from cast-on, ending with a WS row.

**Cast off:** Cast off all 86 (96, 104, 114, 122) sts knitwise on a RS row.

---

## FRONT

Work exactly as for Back.

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## JOINING THE SHOULDERS (Boatneck)

Lay Front and Back with right sides together.

The **boatneck opening** spans the centre **42 (46, 48, 52, 54) sts** (approximately 23–29 cm wide — wide enough to slip easily over the head).

This leaves **22 (25, 28, 31, 34) sts** for each shoulder seam.

> ✅ *Maths check (size M): 25 + 46 + 25 = 96 sts ✓*

**Seam each shoulder:**
- Using mattress stitch or a 3-needle cast-off (with RS facing each other), join the outer **22 (25, 28, 31, 34) sts** at each shoulder.
- Leave the centre **42 (46, 48, 52, 54) sts** unseamed — this is your neckline.

> 💡 **Tip:** A 3-needle cast-off gives a tidy, stable shoulder seam and is easier than mattress stitch for beginners.

---

## SLEEVES (make 2)

Lay the joined body flat. Measure **24 (25, 26, 27, 28) cm** down from the shoulder seam along each side edge of the body and place a marker. This is the armhole depth.

**Picking up stitches:**
With **5 mm needles** and RS facing, beginning at the lower marker, pick up and knit **86 (90, 94, 98, 102) sts** evenly along the side edge, ending at the matching lower marker on the opposite side of the body (across the shoulder seam).

> 💡 **Pick-up rate:** Approximately **3 sts for every 4 rows**. Take your time — even pick-up prevents a baggy or puckered underarm.

> ✅ *Maths check: 86 sts ÷ 18 sts × 10 cm = 47.8 cm ≈ 48 cm upper arm ✓ (matches 2× armhole depth of 24 cm)*

**Sleeve shaping (worked flat):**

- Row 1 (WS): Purl.
- Row 2 (RS — decrease row): k2, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. *(2 sts decreased)*
- Rows 3–9: Work 7 rows in stocking stitch (purl WS, knit RS).

Repeat these 8 rows (decreasing 2 sts every 8 rows) a total of **22 (23, 24, 25, 26) times**.

**Remaining sts: 42 (44, 46, 48, 50) sts.**

> ✅ *Maths check (size M): 90 − (2 × 23) = 90 − 46 = 44 sts ✓*

Continue straight in stocking stitch until sleeve measures **40 cm** from pick-up edge, ending with a WS row.

**Cuff:**
Change to **4 mm needles**.
- Row 1 (RS): k2, *p2, k2; rep from * to end.
- Row 2 (WS): p2, *k2, p2; rep from * to end.

Work in 2×2 rib for **4 cm**.

Cast off loosely in rib.

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## NECKBAND (Optional — for a more finished look)

The boatneck can be left as-is (the stocking stitch will naturally roll slightly) or finished with a simple band.

With **4 mm needles** and RS facing, beginning at one shoulder seam, pick up and knit approximately **76 (82, 86, 92, 96) sts** around the entire neck opening (front and back combined). Join to work in the round, place marker for beginning of round.

- Rounds 1–6: *k2, p2; rep from * to end.

Cast off loosely in rib.

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## FINISHING

1. **Weave in ends** carefully — mohair grips itself, so ends can be secured with very short tails.
2. **Seam the side seams:** Using mattress stitch and matching yarn, sew from the cast-on edge up to the underarm pick-up point.
3. **Seam the underarm/sleeve seam:** Continue the seam down the underside of the sleeve to the cuff.
4. **Block gently:** Soak the jumper in lukewarm water with a wool wash. Press out excess water in a towel. Lay flat to dry, gently patting into the finished measurements. Do not stretch mohair aggressively — it has a halo that benefits from a soft, light block.

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## Schematic Summary

```
          ┌─────────────────┐
          │      BACK        │  ← 60-65 cm long
          │   (rectangle)    │
          └────────┬─────────┘
                   │ shoulder seams (outer 22-34 sts each side)
                   │ boatneck opening (centre 42-54 sts)
          ┌────────┴─────────┐
          │      FRONT       │
          │   (rectangle)    │
          └─────────────────┘

Sleeves: picked up from straight side edge,
worked down with gentle tapering to cuff.
```

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## A Final Word
Mohair-alpaca is a forgiving and luxurious fibre choice for a first jumper. The slight halo will conceal small irregularities in your stitches, and the drop-shoulder construction means there are no tricky decreases or sleeve caps to worry about. Take your time, enjoy the rhythm of stocking stitch, and you'll be rewarded with the softest, cloud-like jumper. Happy knitting! ☁️