Dual Sport Pullover

Dual Sport Pullover by Irina Anikeeva

What Is Being Made

The Dual Sport Pullover is a men's crewneck sweater designed by independent designer Irina Anikeeva. This pullover is available in five sizes ranging from Small to 2XL, with finished chest circumferences from 36½" to 52½" (91 to 131 cm). The garment is designed to be worn with approximately 4½"/11 cm of positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit suitable for active wear.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Dual Sport Pullover employs a seamless, top-down construction method that is characteristic of modern sweater design. The body and sleeves are worked in the round from the bottom upward to the yoke, creating a continuous fabric without side seams. Once the body reaches the yoke depth, the sleeve stitches are joined with the body stitches, allowing the yoke shaping to be worked in a single piece. This raglan yoke construction provides a comfortable shoulder fit and allows for smooth transitions between the body and sleeves.

The design incorporates cable stitch patterns as a decorative element. During yoke shaping, the pattern includes thoughtful design considerations: if there are insufficient stitches remaining to work a complete cable repeat, the stitches are worked as they appear, with knit stitches remaining as knits and purl stitches remaining as purls. This ensures the integrity of the stitch pattern throughout the shaping process.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch used for the body and sleeves, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric
• Cable Stitch: Decorative cable patterns incorporated into the design, with a gauge of 20 stitches over 4½"/11 cm
• Knit and Purl Stitches: Used throughout the pattern, particularly during yoke decreases where individual stitches are maintained according to the stitch pattern

Gauge and Sizing

Accurate gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements. The stockinette stitch gauge is 20 stitches and 26 rounds over 4"/10 cm when worked on the larger needle. The cable chart gauge measures 20 stitches over 4½"/11 cm. The pattern provides five distinct size options with corresponding stitch counts and finished measurements to accommodate various chest sizes.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The Dual Sport Pullover is worked in Trendsetter Yarns Merino VIII, a premium yarn composed of 100% extrafine merino wool. This yarn is supplied in 50 g skeins, each containing 98 yards (90 meters). The yardage requirements vary by size: Small requires 13 skeins, Medium requires 14 skeins, Large requires 15 skeins, XL requires 17 skeins, and 2XL requires 19 skeins. The recommended color shown in the pattern is #7800 ecru, a neutral tone suitable for versatile styling.

Yarn Weight and Needles: This pattern is worked in worsted weight yarn, which provides excellent stitch definition for both the stockinette background and the cable details. The pattern calls for two needle sizes: a larger needle for the main fabric and a smaller needle (typically used for ribbing or edging, though specific size is not detailed in the provided content). Needles are used for working in the round, consistent with the seamless construction method.

Difficulty Level

The Dual Sport Pullover is classified as an intermediate-level knitting project. This difficulty rating reflects the combination of techniques required: seamless in-the-round knitting, cable stitch work, raglan yoke shaping with decreases, and the ability to manage stitch pattern adjustments during shaping. Knitters with experience in basic sweater construction and cable techniques will find this project accessible and rewarding.