Dolman Sweater

Dolman Sweater by Jo Sharp

What is Being Made

The Dolman Sweater is a comfortable and flattering pullover garment designed for everyday wear. This style features the characteristic dolman construction, which creates elegant, flowing sleeves that taper toward the cuffs. The sweater is lightweight and sophisticated, making it suitable for layering or wearing as a standalone piece across multiple seasons.

Craft and Primary Technique

This is a knitting project worked primarily in flat knitting construction. The garment is built by working separate pieces—back and front panels—which are then joined together. The dolman sleeve design is integrated into the body shaping, requiring strategic increases and decreases to achieve the characteristic silhouette where sleeves are wider at the body and gradually taper toward the wrists.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques Used

The pattern employs several key knitting techniques:

• Cable stitches are featured as decorative elements, worked using cable needles. Specific cable abbreviations include C3F (cable 3 front: slip 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold at front of work, knit next stitch from left hand needle, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle) and C3B (cable 3 back: slip 1 stitch onto cable needle and hold at back of work, knit next 2 stitches from left hand needle, then purl 1 stitch from cable needle)
• CBK cable stitch variation (slip 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold at front of work, knit next stitch from left hand needle, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle)
• Stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base
• Bind-off techniques worked loosely at neckline and armhole edges to maintain elasticity
• Alternating row decreases used to shape the dolman sleeves and neckline, with decreases occurring on alternate rows until specified stitch counts are reached
• Purl rows incorporated for texture variation and shaping transitions

Materials: Yarn and Needles

This pattern is designed for DK weight yarn, offering a lightweight fabric suitable for the elegant drape required in a dolman sweater. The designer recommends either Jo Sharp Alpaca Kid Lustre or New Era Merino Superwash yarn, both of which provide softness and durability. The Superwash treatment on the merino option adds practical care benefits for everyday garments.

Knitting needles appropriate for DK weight yarn are required, though specific needle sizes are referenced within the pattern instructions. The pattern includes multiple size options, with the model garment in size A (body size 8) measuring 30.5 centimeters across the body at specific points, with additional size variations provided for larger measurements up to 33.5 centimeters.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as beginner difficulty, making it accessible to knitters who have mastered basic knitting techniques such as casting on, knit and purl stitches, and binding off. While cable stitches are included, they are used decoratively rather than throughout the entire garment, keeping the overall complexity manageable for newer knitters. The straightforward shaping and construction method support skill-building without overwhelming complexity.