1138 Oxford - Jumper Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Wachusett

Pattern 1138 Oxford: A Ribbed Jumper for Women by Julie Turjoman in Valley Yarns Wachusett

Pattern 1138 Oxford, designed by Julie Turjoman and published by Valley Yarns, is a women's pullover jumper celebrated for its simple elegance and unusually clever construction. Described as a uniquely ribbed topper, Oxford is generously sized with 6–8 inches of positive ease, making it an ideal layering piece that transitions effortlessly from casual errands to an evening out. The design is rated Advanced Beginner, meaning knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to explore slightly unconventional assembly will find this an achievable and rewarding project.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

The pattern is written for a wide range of sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, and 5XL. The sample garment was knitted in size S. Finished bust measurements range from 37 inches (XS) up to 65.5 inches (5XL), ensuring an inclusive fit across many body types. The generous positive ease built into the design gives Oxford its relaxed, draped character.

What Is Being Made

Oxford is a pullover jumper — a cozy, ribbed topper worked in two flat pieces. Its construction is notable for the way the back piece is intentionally longer than the front: the top of the back is pulled up and over the shoulders, and its outer selvage edges are then seamed to the top of the front piece. This creates a V-shaped neck opening that overlaps slightly at the center front and sits high enough at the back that it can be folded down as a collar. The result is a distinctive neckline with architectural interest that sets Oxford apart from a standard drop-shoulder pullover.

Construction Techniques

• Bottom-up construction: Both the back and front pieces are cast on at the hem and worked upward row by row, giving the knitter a clear sense of progress and easy length adjustments.
• Worked flat (back and forth in rows): The entire jumper is knitted flat on circular needles, meaning right-side and wrong-side rows are worked alternately rather than in the round. This approach is well-suited to beginners building confidence with reading both sides of their fabric.
• Seamed finishing: Once both pieces are blocked, they are joined using an invisible seaming method. The outer side selvage edges of the back are seamed to the top of the front, forming the shoulders and creating the characteristic overlapping V-neck.
• Cable cast-on: The pattern specifies the Cable method for casting on stitches, which produces a firm, neat edge well-suited to a ribbed fabric.
• Blocking: Both pieces are blocked to the schematic measurements before assembly, an important step with any ribbed fabric to open the stitches and ensure accurate dimensions.

Stitches Used

• Rib Stitch (6-stitch repeat): The entire body of Oxford is worked in a 6-stitch rib pattern. Ribbing is a classic knitting stitch that alternates knit and purl stitches to create vertical columns of texture. It is naturally elastic, flattering against the body, and gives the fabric a structured yet flexible drape. Working a 6-stitch rib rather than the more common 2×2 or 1×1 rib creates a bolder, more graphic texture that elevates the simplicity of the silhouette.
• Binding off in pattern: Stitches are bound off maintaining the rib pattern, which keeps the edges neat and prevents them from flaring or pulling.

Gauge

The required gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows to 4 inches in the Rib Stitch pattern, measured after blocking. Achieving accurate gauge is especially important in a garment with this much size variation, as even a small discrepancy per stitch can result in significant differences in the finished bust measurement.

Yarn: Valley Yarns Wachusett

The pattern calls for Valley Yarns Wachusett, a luxurious worsted weight yarn composed of 70% Merino Wool and 30% Cashmere. Each ball contains approximately 163 yards (50g