Sweater & Top in Stylecraft Love You - 190/9973 - Downloadable PDF

Stylecraft Love You Sweater & Tank Top – Pattern Summary (9973)

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Stylecraft (pattern reference 9973) includes two separate designs: a classic Sweater and a Tank Top (also described as a vest or sleeveless top), both worked in Stylecraft Love You Aran yarn. The pattern covers an impressive range of sizes, spanning from babies and young children through to adult women, making it an exceptionally versatile pattern suitable for the whole family.

Sizes & Fit

The pattern is graded across six sizes, designed to fit chest/bust measurements of 46/51 cm (18/20 in) up to 97/102 cm (38/40 in). Actual finished measurements range from 64 cm (25¼ in) to 119 cm (47 in), providing a comfortable, relaxed fit. Full garment lengths range from 28 cm (11 in) for the smallest size up to 62 cm (24½ in) for the largest adult size, while sleeve lengths on the Sweater range from 18 cm (7 in) to 44 cm (17¼ in).

Design 1: The Sweater

The Sweater is a classic, comfortable pullover with set-in or shaped sleeves, worked in pieces and seamed. It features a neat ribbed hem and cuffs that transition into a smooth stocking stitch body, giving it a clean, timeless appearance suitable for everyday wear across all age groups.

• Construction: Worked flat in separate pieces (back, front, sleeves), then seamed together
• Yarn quantity: Requires 3 to 6 balls of Stylecraft Love You 100g depending on size
• Ribbing: Cast on and work in k2, p2 rib for the welt, measuring 5–7 cm depending on size
• Body stitch: Transitions to stocking stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side) after the ribbed hem
• Shaping: Includes subtle stitch adjustments at the transition row, using M1 increases and rib2tog decreases to achieve the correct stitch count for the body

Design 2: The Tank Top

The Tank Top is a sleeveless version, ideal as a layering piece or a standalone warm-weather garment for children and adults alike. Like the Sweater, it is worked in Stylecraft Love You Aran and shares the same size range, making it easy to knit a coordinating set.

• Construction: Worked flat in separate pieces without sleeves
• Ribbing: Features the same k2, p2 rib at the hem and around the armhole and neckline edges for a neat, professional finish
• Body stitch: Stocking stitch throughout the main body sections

Stitches & Techniques Used

Both designs draw on a focused set of classic knitting stitches and techniques, making this pattern well-suited to intermediate knitters who are comfortable working from a written pattern and managing basic shaping.

• k2, p2 rib – used for welts, cuffs, and neckbands; creates a stretchy, structured edge
• Stocking stitch – the primary body fabric, smooth on the right side and textured on the wrong side
• M1 (Make 1) – a lifted increase used at the rib-to-body transition to adjust stitch counts
• rib2tog – a paired decrease worked within the rib to balance stitch counts at the transition row
• Casting on – standard cast-on method used to begin each piece
• Seaming – pieces are joined after knitting, requiring neat mattress stitch or backstitch seaming skills
• Shaping –