Dunton Pullover - Jumper Knitting Pattern for Women in Tahki Yarns Donegal Tweed Fine

Dunton Pullover – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Dunton Pullover is a women's knitted pullover sweater designed by Rosemary Drysdale and published by Tahki Yarns. This elegant, classically styled jumper is worked in a refined Sand stitch fabric that gives the finished garment a subtle, tactile texture, making it a step above a standard stockinette sweater while remaining accessible to an intermediate knitter. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is knitted using Tahki Yarns Donegal Tweed Fine, a yarn that lends the pullover its characteristic rustic, tweedy character.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a women's pullover sweater (jumper) with a fitted ribbed neckband and a classic silhouette. It is sized to fit a wide range of bodies, from X-Small through 3XL, with finished bust measurements ranging from 35½" (90cm) to 58½" (148.5cm). The body length ranges from 22½" to 25½" depending on size, making it a comfortable, mid-length pullover suitable for everyday wear. The design is understated and wearable, with the textural interest coming from the stitch pattern and the character of the yarn itself rather than from bold colorwork or complex shaping.

Construction Method

The Dunton Pullover is constructed using a bottom-up, seamed, worked-flat method. This means each major piece — the back, front, and sleeves — is knitted separately on straight needles from the cast-on edge upward, and the pieces are then joined together using seaming techniques. This traditional construction approach is favored by many knitters because it allows each piece to be blocked individually before assembly, and the resulting seams add structure and durability to the finished garment.

The seaming itself makes use of the Three-Needle Bind-Off, a technique that simultaneously joins and binds off two live sets of stitches, creating a neat, secure seam — particularly useful at the shoulder joins. This technique involves holding two needle tips parallel, then knitting stitches from both needles together with a third needle before binding off, producing a tidy ridge on the wrong side of the work.

The neckband is worked in the round on a 16"/40cm circular needle after the body pieces are seamed, giving the neck a smooth, professional finish without an exposed seam.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Sand Stitch: The primary stitch pattern used throughout the body and sleeves. Sand stitch is a simple two-row repeat that alternates knit and purl stitches in a specific sequence to create a dense, pebbly texture reminiscent of a woven or seed-stitch fabric. It lies flat, has minimal curl, and creates a fabric with excellent stitch definition — ideal for showcasing a tweedy yarn like Donegal Tweed Fine.
• K3, P3 Rib: A six-stitch repeat ribbing used at the lower edge of the back (and likely the front and cuffs). Worked over 10 rows, this ribbing provides a firm, elasticated hem that keeps the pullover from flaring at the bottom. K3, P3 rib is slightly wider and more relaxed than a standard K1, P1 or K2, P2 rib, giving the hem a softer, more relaxed drape.
• Three-Needle Bind-Off: Used for seaming shoulder seams, this technique creates a clean, strong join between two sets of live stitches without requiring a separate sewing step.
• Working Flat: All main pieces are worked back and forth in rows on straight needles, making this an approachable construction for knitters who prefer flat knitting over working in the round.
• Working in the Round: The neckband is worked in the round on a short circular needle after assembly, ensuring a seamless, tidy collar finish.
• Stitch Holders / Waste Yarn: Used to hold live stitches (such as neck stitches) while other sections are completed, a standard technique in seamed, bottom-up sweater construction.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is designed specifically for Tahki Yarns Donegal Tweed Fine, a