Hubble Sweater in Erika Knight Gossypium Cotton - Downloadable PDF

Hubble Sweater in Erika Knight Gossypium Cotton – Pattern Summary

The Hubble Sweater is a beautifully relaxed, sweatshirt-style crew neck pullover designed by Erika Knight. Knitted in a clean, classic silhouette, this intermediate-level pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and offers a satisfying combination of straightforward construction and eye-catching colour work. It is an ideal project for knitters who are comfortable with the basics and ready to explore intarsia colour blocking techniques.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a crew neck sweater with a relaxed, sweatshirt-inspired fit. It is worked in five sizes, offering a finished chest measurement ranging from 106cm (41¾in) for a small up to 130cm (51in) for an XXL. The body length ranges from 64cm to 76cm and sleeve lengths from 45cm to 49cm depending on size, making it a generously proportioned, comfortable everyday knit suitable for a wide range of body types.

Colour Work and Design

One of the most distinctive features of the Hubble Sweater is its use of intarsia colour blocking. The design is worked in three colours, creating bold, graphic blocks of colour across the body of the sweater. Two colourways are offered:

• Colourway 1 (shown on the front cover): Colour A – Ikat, Colour B – Mouse, Colour C – Pitch
• Colourway 2: Colour A – Bobcat, Colour B – Porpoise, Colour C – French

The intarsia method involves working separate, individual lengths or bobbins of yarn for each colour section, rather than carrying yarn across the back of the work. This keeps the fabric flat and avoids unnecessary bulk, which is particularly important when working with larger colour blocks as seen in this design.

Techniques Used

• Intarsia colour work – for the bold, blocked colour sections that define the sweater's aesthetic
• Shaping – including increases using the M1 (make one) method and decreases using K2tog, K2togtbl, P2tog, and P2togtbl for neat, directional shaping at armholes and sleeve heads
• Working from stitch holders – used to hold live stitches during construction, a common technique when joining shoulders or working neckbands
• Seaming and finishing – a large-eyed, blunt-tipped sewing needle is required for joining seams neatly

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (St st) – the primary stitch pattern used across the body and sleeves, creating a smooth, flat fabric that showcases the colour blocks beautifully
• K1, P1 rib – used for the crew neck and cuffs, providing a neat, stretchy finish that retains its shape over time

Materials

The pattern is written specifically for Erika Knight Gossypium Cotton, a 100% cotton DK weight yarn that comes in 50g balls with approximately 100m (109 yards) per ball. The yarn quantities required vary by size and colourway:

• Colour A: 4(4:5:5:6) balls
• Colour B: 7(7:8:8:9) balls
• Colour C: 4(4:5:5:6) balls

Gossypium Cotton is a natural fibre yarn, making this sweater a breathable, comfortable choice for year-round wear. Its smooth texture is well-suited to stocking stitch, allowing the colour work to appear crisp and well-defined.

Needles and Notions

• 3.25