Both Sides Now

Both Sides Now Warm Weather Pullover

What Is Being Made

Both Sides Now is a shapely warm weather pullover sweater designed by Deb Hoss, featuring distinctive wide front and back V-necklines. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted pullover that sits higher on the hips than its predecessor design, Innamorata, with extended sleeves that reach slightly longer than the elbow. The sweater is available in seven sizes ranging from 31¼ inches to 55 inches in finished bust circumference, accommodating a wide range of body types.

Construction Method and Design Features

Both Sides Now is constructed as a top-down knit worked in the round, which creates a seamless garment with minimal finishing required. The sleeves are also worked top down in the round, providing consistent stitch definition and easy fit adjustments during the knitting process. The only seamed elements are the set-in sleeve caps, which add shaping and structure to the armholes for a more tailored, professional appearance. This construction approach minimizes the amount of seaming while maintaining garment structure and fit.

Stitch and Texture Details

The entire sweater is worked in Mock English Rib, a textured stitch pattern created through a simple knit and purl repeat. This stitch creates visual interest and subtle texture throughout the garment while remaining accessible to intermediate knitters. Mock English Rib provides elasticity and drape suitable for a warm weather pullover, allowing the fabric to move comfortably against the body while maintaining its shape through wear and washing.

Techniques Required

This project requires intermediate knitting skills and familiarity with several essential techniques:

• Cast-on methods: Long-tail cast-on and cable cast-on for creating stable, elastic edges
• Decreases: Slip-slip-knit (ssk), knit two together (k2tog), purl two together (p2tog), and purl two together through the back loop (p2tog tbl) for shaping
• Increases: Make one right (m1R) and make one left (m1L) for gradual, invisible shaping
• Short row shaping: Creating contoured curves in the neckline and body
• Circular knitting: Working seamlessly in the round using circular needles
• Picking up stitches: Creating new stitches along finished edges for neckline and other applications
• Setting in sleeves: Attaching shaped sleeve caps to armholes for a fitted silhouette
• Blocking: Finishing the completed sweater to even out stitches and set the garment shape

Yarn and Materials

Both Sides Now is designed for 4-ply yarn weight, which provides excellent stitch definition for the Mock English Rib texture while creating a fabric suitable for warm weather wear. The 4-ply weight allows the sweater to be lightweight and breathable while maintaining enough structure for the fitted silhouette. Circular needles appropriate to the yarn weight are required for the top-down, in-the-round construction, along with a cable needle for any cable techniques that may appear in the stitch pattern.

Design Inspiration

Both Sides Now draws inspiration from Deb Hoss's earlier design, Innamorata, but distinguishes itself through higher hip placement, longer sleeves, and the addition of textured stitch work. The design name references Joni Mitchell's iconic song, reflecting the designer's creative approach to sweater construction and the idea of seeing a classic silhouette from new angles.