Evania Basket Weave Jumper in West Yorkshire Spinners Re: treat - WYS0009 - Downloadable PDF

Evania Basket Weave Jumper in West Yorkshire Spinners Re:treat – Pattern Summary

About the Design

The Evania Basket Weave Jumper is a cosy, stylish pullover designed by Chloe Birch and knitted in West Yorkshire Spinners Re:treat chunky yarn. The name Evania means "peaceful," a fitting choice for a garment conceived around the idea of mindful, restorative knitting. True to its name, this jumper is designed to be versatile — comfortable enough to curl up in beside a fire on an autumn evening, yet polished enough to dress up for a night out.

Designer Chloe Birch specialises in sustainable knitwear and creates pieces that are exciting, wearable, and built to last. Her philosophy centres on the idea that a handmade garment is a garment for life — a beautifully sustainable approach to fashion. The Evania Basket Weave Jumper is part of a wider collection built around mindful knitting, where each stitch pattern is intentionally relaxing and repetitive, giving the knitter a chance to switch off and unwind.

Construction Method

One of the most distinctive features of the Evania Basket Weave Jumper is its construction direction. Rather than being knitted in the conventional bottom-up or top-down method, this jumper is knitted sideways. This lateral construction gives the finished piece a different shape and silhouette compared to traditionally constructed sweaters, and it also makes the knitting process itself feel fresh and enjoyable. Knitting sideways can alter the way stitch patterns flow across the fabric, often creating a visually interesting result that sets a garment apart from more standard knitwear.

Stitch Patterns and Techniques

As the name suggests, the centrepiece of this design is the basket weave stitch pattern. Basket weave is a classic knitting texture created by alternating blocks of knit and purl stitches in a grid-like arrangement, producing a fabric that resembles the interlaced structure of a woven basket. The pattern is deeply satisfying to work because it is repetitive and rhythmic — once the sequence is established, it becomes almost meditative, making it ideal for the mindful knitting ethos that underpins the entire West Yorkshire Spinners Re:treat collection.

• Basket weave stitch: The primary texture stitch, created through alternating knit and purl blocks worked in a regular repeat.
• Sideways construction: The garment is worked from one side seam to the other, rather than from hem to shoulder, creating a distinctive structural approach.
• Knit and purl combinations: The foundation of the basket weave pattern, requiring the knitter to be comfortable switching between knit and purl stitches within the same row.

The skill level for this pattern is listed as intermediate, meaning it is best suited to knitters who are already comfortable with basic knitting techniques and are ready to explore textured stitch patterns and less conventional garment construction. The repetitive nature of the basket weave stitch means that, once the pattern is memorised, the knitting flows smoothly — making it a rewarding project for those looking to develop their skills without feeling overwhelmed.

Yarn and Materials

The Evania Basket Weave Jumper is designed specifically for West Yorkshire Spinners Re:treat yarn, a chunky weight yarn with a silky smooth finish that slides easily off the needle. This quality makes it particularly pleasant to work with, reducing friction and helping knitters relax into the process. The chunky weight also means the fabric grows quickly, which is especially satisfying when working a textured stitch like basket weave, as the three-dimensional pattern becomes visible rapidly.

West Yorkshire Spinners Re:treat was developed with wellbeing in mind, and the brand has partnered with national mental health charity Mind. A donation is made to Mind for every ball of Re:treat yarn sold, meaning that knitters choosing this yarn are also contributing to mental health research, improved services, and awareness-raising efforts. Knitters should note that the quantities given in the pattern are approximate, and West Yorkshire Spinners advises using the specified yarn to ensure the finished garment matches the intended result.

As a chunky weight project, the Evania Basket Weave Jumper is