Whalsay Gansey Pullover

Whalsay Gansey Pullover by Jen Hagan

What is Being Made

The Whalsay Gansey Pullover is a classic knitted pullover sweater designed by Jen Hagan. This garment is available in eight sizes, ranging from a 33.5-inch chest measurement up to 56 inches, accommodating a wide range of body sizes. The finished measurements span from 85 centimeters to 142 centimeters across the chest, making this pattern versatile for various wearers.

Construction Technique

This pullover employs a distinctive bottom-up knitting construction method that incorporates knitted-in underarm gussets. The gussets serve a functional purpose, providing additional ease and comfort in the underarm area. The front and back pieces are divided at the midpoint of the gusset and knit flat separately, allowing for controlled shaping and customization of the garment's fit.

Once the lower body sections are complete, the upper body pieces are joined together using the three-needle bind off technique at the shoulders. This method creates a strong, durable seam while maintaining the integrity of the knit fabric. The sleeves are then knit from the top down, beginning at the armhole and continuing to the ribbed cuff, which provides a neat, finished edge. The collar is completed last, knit in the round after the upper body pieces are fully joined.

Stitches and Techniques

• Three-needle bind off for shoulder seaming
• Flat knitting for front and back body pieces
• Top-down sleeve construction from the armhole
• In-the-round knitting for the collar
• Ribbed cuffs for sleeve and collar finishing
• Knitted-in underarm gussets for enhanced fit and comfort

Materials Required

This pattern calls for worsted weight yarn, with yardage requirements varying by size. The smallest size requires approximately 925 yards of yarn, while the largest size needs up to 2000 yards. Knitters will need US size 7 [4.5 mm] needles in multiple lengths: 16-inch, 24-inch, and 36-inch options to accommodate the different stages of construction, from working the body to the larger circumference sections and the collar knit in the round.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic techniques. The combination of flat and in-the-round knitting, along with the three-needle bind off and gusset construction, requires familiarity with multiple knitting methods and the ability to manage shaping and transitions between different sections of the garment.