Otway Sweater

Otway Sweater by Jie

What is Being Made

The Otway Sweater is a comfy and relaxed striped pullover knitted in the round from the bottom up in separate pieces. This intermediate-level knitting project features a classic crew neck and modified drop shoulder construction, offering a versatile wardrobe staple with visual interest created through strategic color blocking and decorative stitch work.

Design Inspiration and Features

Named after Otway National Park and inspired by scenic drives along the Great Ocean Road, this sweater incorporates delicate leaf lacing between stockinette stitches as a design element. The combination of mindless stockinette sections alternating with more intricate lace patterning creates an engaging knitting experience that maintains interest throughout the project while remaining accessible to intermediate-level knitters.

Sizing and Fit

The Otway Sweater is available in six sizes with bust circumferences ranging from 89cm to 132.5cm (35.5 inches to 53 inches). The pattern recommends 8 to 15cm (3 to 6 inches) of positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit. The sample shown is size 2 with approximately 8cm (3 inches) of ease, demonstrating the intended relaxed silhouette.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Bottom-up construction knitted in separate pieces
• Stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base
• Leaf lace stitch patterning integrated between stockinette sections
• Crew neck finishing
• Modified drop shoulder shaping
• Stripe color work using two yarn colors
• Wet blocking for gauge accuracy and finished measurements

Stitches and Stitch Work

Stockinette stitch forms the foundation of this sweater, creating a smooth, classic fabric surface that serves as the canvas for the design. Leaf lace stitches are strategically placed between stockinette sections, adding delicate visual detail and textural variation without overwhelming the intermediate knitter. The combination of these two stitch types creates rhythm and visual interest while maintaining a relaxed, wearable aesthetic.

Yarn and Materials

The Otway Sweater is designed to be knitted in 100% wool sport weight yarn, also referred to as 5-ply, which provides excellent drape and elasticity for a comfortable, relaxed-fitting garment. The main color (MC) requires between 650 and 1,025 meters (710 to 1,120 yards) depending on size, while the contrast color (CC) requires 425 meters, allowing for creative color combinations. The sample shown features Baby Blue as the main color with white as the contrast color.

Gauge and Blocking

The pattern specifies a gauge of 21 stitches by 28 rows over 10cm (4 inches) when worked in stockinette stitch on the larger needle and wet blocked. Achieving this gauge is essential for obtaining accurate finished measurements and ensuring the sweater fits as intended. Wet blocking is recommended to set the stitches and achieve the final dimensions.

Needles and Tools

The pattern calls for larger needles for the main fabric and references gauge measurement on the larger needle size, indicating the use of two needle sizes within the project—a common technique in knitting where smaller needles may be used for ribbing or other sections requiring a tighter gauge, while larger needles create the more relaxed stockinette fabric.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, the Otway Sweater is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle stitch pattern integration, color work, and garment construction. The alternation between straightforward stockinette sections and leaf lace patterning provides a manageable challenge while building confidence in working with multiple stitch techniques within a single project.