Hi all!
This post includes everything you need to know about the Partridge Pullover, a size-inclusive knitting pattern for a classic drop-shoulder sweater with German short rows and a seed stitch panel down the center front.
Before we begin, here are some quick links for you:
- Find the PDF version on Ravelry here, on Etsy here, and on my website here.
- Add your finished project and view other completed projects on Ravelry here.
- Shop the recommended yarn, Vanna’s Choice, here!
- Get the Lion Brand Knit Kit here!
- For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!
Shop my new book – Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear – here!
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About
The Partridge Sweater is a classic knit sweater with a decorative seed stitch panel down the center-front. Most of this sweater can be memorized after just a few rounds with very little reference to the pattern as you knit.
This approachable pattern is knit with a worsted weight yarn, which means this sweater practically flies off the needles! This sweater is knit in the round from the bottom-up without any seaming, just a three-needle bind-off at the shoulders.
But don’t worry – simple doesn’t mean we skimped on the details! In this pattern you’ll find German short row shaping along the shoulders for a more tailored fit, and instructions throughout the pattern on how to adjust if your measurements deviate slightly from your written size. The sleeves are knit in the round and worked directly onto the body so you can try it on as you knit to get your perfect sleeve length.
This versatile design can be dressed up to wear during the holidays or dressed down to wear any other day of the year.
I designed this sweater because I have an abundance of Vanna’s Choice from my craft sale days and thought the Grey Marble colourway would make for a cute knit sweater!
Getting Started: Knowing Your Measurements
This pattern is graded using the Craft Yarn Council (CYC) standards to determine sizing. The CYC is the industry standard when it comes to knit and crochet sizing. While you will be able to produce a beautiful sweater by following the written patterns, I also like to include customization tips throughout each pattern so that you can adjust based on your unique body measurements; for example, shortening or lengthening a sleeve, or adjusting for a larger upper arm than written for your size. This way, you can modify the pattern with confidence, if needed. For example, when making garments for myself, I usually need to shorten tops or sweaters because I have a short torso. My hips also fall under a different size than my bust. Not everyone fits perfectly into these sizing standards; they are simply averages, not set-in-stone numbers.
Understanding how your body deviates from the CYC standard measurements gives you the ability to tailor a sweater to perfectly fit you, rather than feel disappointed that your body doesn’t fit into the sizing standards. I recommend that you measure the largest part of your bust and then refer to the CYC website (click here) to find out which size you would fall under. Then, look at the other measurements that are included for your size, and see which of these measurements deviate from your actual body measurements. Knowledge is power, and once you understand how your body deviates from the CYC standards, you will be able to anticipate this deviation and assume it translates through most patterns. For example, if your upper arm circumference is slightly larger than the CYC sizing chart reads, then you can expect you may have to ignore a few decrease rows when working the sleeves of your next sweater, or even follow the sleeve instructions for the next size up, if possible.
Partridge Pullover: Sizing Information
This screen shot is straight from the pattern PDF.
Materials
Yarn: Worsted—Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in Grey Marble
- 92% Acrylic, 8% Rayon
- 145 yds [133 m] per 3-oz [85-g] skein
- Find this yarn on lionbrand.com
- View this post for an extensive list of yarns used during testing
Yardage: 6 (6, 7, 8, 8) [9, 9, 10, 10] skeins of Vanna’s Choice, or
- 725 (800, 925, 1075, 1150) [1200, 1275, 1350, 1425] yds
- 663 (730, 845, 983, 1052) [1098, 1166, 1235, 1304] m
Substitute Vanna’s Choice with any similar worsted weight, category #4 yarn. Most fibers should work out fine in this pattern, however heavier fibers like cotton may weigh it down and grow substantially over time. For a finished sweater similar to the one shown, choose an acrylic or an animal fiber like wool, being mindful of the weight and yardage per skein.
Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker to mark BOR, scrap yarn for placing work on hold (I recommend using a contrasting color), an additional needle (of similar size) for 3 needle bind-off
Needles Required (3 sizes):
- Main Gauge Needle – Size U.S. 10½ (6.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge with the following recommended cord lengths:
-
- 32-40” (80-100 cm) cord for body, or cord long enough to accommodate all body sts for your size
- 12-16” (30-40 cm) cord for upper sleeves
- 8-9” (20-23 cm) circulars, DPNs, or your preferred method of smaller circumference knitting for the lower sleeve and cuffs. You can also use the magic loop method to complete the sleeves using a longer cord length, if preferred.
- Ribbing Needle (Bottom Hem) – Size U.S. 10 (6 mm) or size that is 0.5 mm smaller than main gauge needle, with the recommended cord length:
-
- 32-40” (80-100 cm) cord for body, or cord long enough to accommodate all body sts for your size
- Ribbing Needle (Neckline and Sleeve Cuffs) – Size U.S. 6 (4mm) or size that is 2.5 mm smaller than main gauge needle, with the recommended cord lengths:
-
- 16” (40 cm) cord for neckline ribbing
- 8-9” (20-23 cm) circulars, DPNs, or your preferred method of smaller circumference knitting for the sleeve cuffs. You can also use the magic loop method to complete the sleeves using a longer cord length, if preferred.
Gauge
4 x 4″ [10 x 10 cm] = 14 sts and 21 rows in stockinette with main gauge (largest) needles, worked in the round, blocked.
- Block your swatch the same way you would your finished sweater.
- Since most of this sweater is knit in the round, you will want to knit your gauge swatch in the round, too. See this video for help with swatching in the round.
- If your swatch is smaller than these measurements, go up a needle size. If your swatch is larger than these measurements, go down a needle size.
- If you have trouble matching the gauge exactly, note that it is more important to match the stitch gauge than the row gauge since you can compensate for any minor discrepancies in your row gauge by modifying the length of any given section.
Skills Required
German Short Rows: This pattern uses short-row shaping in the shoulders. The short rows essentially create wedges of additional stitches within your fabric to help shape your work without affecting the total number of stitches on your needles. In this pattern, the short rows help create additional fabric near the neck so that the shoulder seam slants with the natural curve of your shoulders for a slightly better fit. (You are welcome to substitute wrap and turns or any other short-row method in place of the German Short Rows if you prefer.) If it is your first time working German Short Rows, be sure to watch the video linked below.
Skills Required + Helpful Video Links:
Construction
The body of the Partridge Pullover is worked from the bottom-up in the round until reaching your desired length to the underarms. Next, you will split your work into four quadrants: the front, the right underarm, the back, and the left underarm. You will knit the front panel flat while the rest of your work is put on hold, and then knit the back panel. You will connect your panels at each shoulder using the three-needle bind-off before working the neckline ribbing. Lastly, you will pick up stitches to knit the sleeves.
Yarn Substitutions
The yarn used in my sample is a 92% Acrylic, 8% Rayon blend. Substitute Vanna’s Choice with any similar worsted weight, category #4 yarn. Most fibers should work out fine in this pattern, however heavier fibers like cotton may weigh it down and grow substantially over time. For a finished sweater similar to the one shown, choose an acrylic or an animal fiber like wool, being mindful of the weight and yardage per skein.
Other yarns that will work well in this pattern:
Lion Brand Yarns:
- Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling
- Basic Stitch Premium
- Chainette
- Fishermen’s Wool
- Heartland
- Jeans
- Pound of Love
- Schitt’s Creek
- Wool-Ease
- See more here
WeCrochet Yarns:
- Brava Worsted
- Chroma Worsted
- Muse Hand Painted
- Preciosa Tonal
- Shine Worsted
- Swish Worsted
- Woodland Tweed
- Wool of the Andes Superwash
- Wool of the Andes Tweed
- Wool of the Andes Worsted
Tester Photos
Each size has been tested to ensure all sizes are satisfied with the pattern and fit! Below you can see photos from the testing process to see how the sweater looks on different bodies with different modifications made using a variety of yarns! Thank you so much to all the testers who helped me to make this pattern as clear and easy-to-follow as possible! They all used their own time and resources to knit up a sample sweater for me, and it is much appreciated! xx
#PartridgePullover
I hope you loved this sweater pattern and I can’t wait to see the colors you choose for yourself! If you end up making one, please tag me on Instagram @knitsnknotswpg and use the hashtag #PartridgePullover because I’d love to see it! If you’d like your finished sweater to be featured here in this blog post, email me your photos @ knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll add them in here 🙂
To shop this Partridge Pullover knitting pattern, find it on Ravelry, Etsy, or my website!
Shop the Lion Brand Knit Kit here (comes with yarn + free pattern).
x
Janine
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