Esther Sweater Man | Printed Knitting Pattern

The Esther Sweater Man is worked from the top down in a texture pattern. First, the back yoke is worked back and forth and shaped with increases. Then the shoulders are worked from stitches that are picked up and knitted along the top of the back yoke. The shoulders are then joined to form the front yoke. The front and back yoke are joined at the underarms to form the body, which is worked straight down in the round, continuing with the texture pattern. The sleeves are worked in the round on a circular needle from stitches that are picked up and knitted along the armhole openings. A ribbed edge is worked along the neck edge.

Begin by knitting a swatch to determine which needle size will give you the correct gauge – note that the gauge needs to be correct for both stitches and rows before the measurements given above can be achieved. 

Size guide

The Esther Sweater Man is designed to have approx. 10-15 cm [4-6 inches] of positive ease. The sizes XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL) 5XL are designed to fit a bust circumference of 86-91 (91-96) 96-101 (101-107) 107-113 (113-119) 119-124 (124-132) 132-144 cm [33¾-35¾ (35¾-37¾) 37¾-39¾ (39¾-42¼) 42¼-44½ (44½-46¾) 46¾-48¾ (48¾-52) 52-56¾ inches]. The measurements for the finished garment are on the front page of the pattern. Before beginning your project, measure yourself to determine which size to knit. For example, if you measure 104 cm [41 inches] around your bust (or around the widest part of your upper body) you should knit a size L. A size L sweater has a bust circumference of 119 cm [46¾ inches] which in the given example would give you 15 cm [6 inches] of positive ease. Schematics can be found here.

Sizes: XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL) 5XL

Bust circumference: 103 (107) 111 (119) 123 (131) 135 (143) 155 cm [40½ (42¼) 43¾ (46¾) 48½ (51½) 53¼ (56¼) 61 inches]

Length: 68 (69) 70 (72) 74 (75) 77 (78) 79 cm [26¾ (27¼) 27½ (28¼) 29¼ (29½) 30¼ (30¾) 31 inches] measured mid back excl. neck edge

Gauge: 20 sts x 30 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches] in texture pattern on a 4 mm [US6] needle after wash and blocking

Needles: Circular needles: 4 mm [US6] / 60 and 80 or 100 cm [24 and 32 or 40 inches] and 3.5 mm [US4] / 40, 60 and 80 or 100 cm [16, 24 and 32 or 40 inches]; Double-pointed needle: 3.5 mm [US4] and 4 mm [US6]

Materials: 850 (900) 900 (950) 950 (1000) 1000 (1050) 1100 g Peer Gynt by Sandnes Garn (50 g = 91 m [100 yds])

Difficulty: ★ ★ ★ ★ (4 out of 5)

See the classification of difficulty here.