Westport Pullover in Tahki Yarns Donegal Tweed - Downloadable PDF

Westport Pullover in Tahki Yarns Donegal Tweed – Pattern Summary

About This Design

The Westport Pullover is a classic, relaxed-fit knitted pullover sweater designed by Rosemary Drysdale and published by Tahki Stacy Charles Inc. It is rated Easy, making it an excellent project for beginner to early-intermediate knitters who want to build confidence constructing a full garment from the bottom up. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is sized to fit a wide range of bodies, from Small through 3XL, with finished bust measurements ranging from 47 to 67½ inches and lengths from 24 to 26½ inches.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a pullover sweater with a generous, comfortable silhouette. The finished garment is a timeless wardrobe staple with a textured knit surface that showcases the natural character of the yarn. Its ease of construction and straightforward shaping make it approachable for knitters who are ready to move beyond scarves and simple accessories into full garment making.

Construction Techniques

• Bottom-up construction: The sweater is worked from the lower hem upward, a traditional and intuitive method that allows knitters to try on the piece as they go and adjust length easily before committing to armhole shaping.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted back and forth in rows on straight needles rather than in the round. This means the front, back, and sleeves are each worked as separate flat panels.
• Seamed finishing: The individual flat pieces are joined together using seaming techniques, giving the finished sweater a structured, tailored feel with clean, stable seams at the shoulders and sides.
• Stitch holders: Stitches are placed on holders during shoulder and neckline shaping, a standard technique for managing live stitches while other sections are completed.
• Decreases for shaping: The pattern uses decreases such as k2tog to shape the armholes and shoulders, creating smooth, angled edges.

Stitches Used

• Rib Stitch – This is the primary pattern stitch used throughout the body of the pullover. It is worked over a multiple of 2 stitches plus 1, with Row 1 (RS): *K1, P1; repeat from * to last stitch, K1, and Row 2 (WS): Purl. This combination of knit and purl stitches on the right side, followed by a plain purl wrong-side row, creates a subtly textured, slightly stretchy fabric that drapes well and adds visual interest without complexity.
• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches: The foundational stitches of the entire project, used both in the rib pattern and in the plain purl wrong-side rows.
• K2tog (knit two together): A basic right-leaning decrease used in armhole and shoulder shaping.

Gauge

The pattern requires a gauge of 15½ stitches and 23 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in the Rib Stitch. Achieving this gauge is important for the sweater to match the intended finished measurements, and knitters are advised to take time to check gauge before beginning.

Materials

• Yarn: Tahki Yarns Donegal Tweed – a 100% wool worsted weight yarn, sold in 3.5 oz / 100g skeins with approximately 183 yards / 167 meters per skein. The pattern calls for 6 (7, 7, 8, 8, 9) skeins depending on size, in color #805 Faded Denim. Donegal Tweed is a classic Irish-style tweed yarn featuring characteristic flecks of color woven into the fiber, giving the finished sweater a rustic, artisanal texture that is both timeless and visually rich.
• Needles: One pair of size 9 (