PURE MERINO DROP STITCH JUMPER

Instructions

Note: This jumper is a great everyday shape. Sits on the waist and has ribbed waist cuffs and neck. The drop stitch creates lightness and stitch definition.

Back -

Band

Using 3.25 mm knitting needles cast on 111(115-119-125) sts

1st row (RS) - K2, (K1, P1) to the last st, K1.

2nd row (WS) - (P1, K1) to the second last st, K1.

Repeat these 2 rows, for 5cm ending with a wrong side row.

Main Patt -

Change to 4.00 mm knitting needles, and knit decreasing 16sts evenly across the first row. 95(99-103-109)sts.

Knit 5 rows of garter stitch(knit every row).

Commence drop stitch pattern as follows:

1st row(RS) - Knit wrapping the yarn around the needle 3 times. Repeat on every stitch to the end of the row.

2nd row(WS) - Knit dropping the extra wraps to complete the stitch. Repeat on every stitch to the end of the row.

3rd to 6th row - Knit.

1st - 6th row forms pattern. Repeat the pattern until work measures 35(34-36-35)cms from the beginning ending with a wrong side row.

Place markers for armhole.*

Continue in pattern until work measures 57(57-59-59)cms from the beginning ending with a Row 4 of the pattern.

Shaping for Shoulders

Working only in garter stitch, cast off 14(15-16-17) sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows.

Place remaining 39(39-39-41) sts on the holder for the back neck.

Front -

Work same as for Back to *

Keeping pattern correct continue without shaping until front is 16 rows less than the back before shoulder shaping

Shaping for Left Front Neck

Pattern 38(40-42-44)sts turn.

Keeping pattern correct, decrease 1 st(by knitting 2 sts together) at the neck edge this and every row for the next 10 rows. 28(30-32-34)sts.

Knit 5 rows.

Shoulder Shaping

Cast off 14(15-16-17) sts

Knit 1 row.

Cast off remaining 14(15-16-17) sts

Place the next 19(19-19-21) sts on a holder for the centre front neck.

Shaping for Right Front Neck

Rejoin yarn to remaining 38(40-42-44)sts, and pattern to the end.

Keeping pattern correct, decrease 1 st at the neck edge this and every row for the next 10 rows. 28(30-32-34)sts.

Knit 6 rows.

Shoulder Shaping

Cast off 14(15-16-17) sts

Knit 1 row.

Cast off remaining 14(15-16-17) sts

Sleeves - Make 2

Band

Using 3.25 mm knitting needles cast on 61(61-63-63) sts

Work 1x1 rib as for back for 5cms, ending with a wrong side row.

Main Patt -

Change to 4.00 mm knitting needles, and knit decreasing 8sts evenly across the first row. 53(53-55-55)sts.

Knit 4 rows of garter stitch.

Increase 1 st each end of this and following 6th rows while working in pattern as for back, until there are 75(79-83-87) sts.

Continue in pattern until sleeve measures 54cms from the beginning ending with a 6th row.

Cast off knitways.

Neck Band -

With right sides facing, pin and sew the right shoulder seams together, using a backstitch.

Starting at the left front shoulder, and using 3.25mm needles, and knit up 21sts for the left from neck, knit 19(19-19-21) stitches off the holder for the centre front neck, knit up 20sts for the right front next, knit 39(39-39-41) stitches off the holder for the back neck. 99(99-99-103)sts.

Work in 1x1 rib as for the back for 8 rows.

Cast off in rib.

Finishing -

With right sides facing, pin and sew left shoulder seam including the back.

Pin sleeve head centred over the shoulder between armhole markers, sew using and invisible stitch.

Pin sleeve and side seams, sew using a backstitch.

Weave in loose ends.