Seattle Sounders for Adults

Seattle Sounders Sweater or Vest for Adults by Sandy's Creations

Project Overview

The Seattle Sounders Sweater or Vest is an intermediate-level knitting pattern designed for adults by Sandy Myerson. This versatile garment can be constructed as either a pullover sweater or sleeveless vest, featuring a crew neckline and a distinctive soccer ball motif. The pattern is available in five adult sizes ranging from Small to XXL, with finished chest measurements from 38 inches to 54 inches.

What Is Being Made

This project creates a crew neck pullover sweater or vest with a tailored fit. The garment features a knitted soccer ball pattern positioned on the back panel, making it an ideal choice for sports enthusiasts and Seattle Sounders fans. The design combines solid stockinette stitch sections with a charted intarsia or stranded colorwork pattern, creating visual interest while maintaining wearability.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Ribbed Edging: The pattern begins with 1x1 ribbing (knit one, purl one) worked over 3 inches using smaller needles to create a fitted, elastic edge that hugs the body
• Stockinette Stitch: The primary fabric construction technique, alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side to create a smooth, flat surface
• Intarsia or Stranded Colorwork: A soccer ball pattern is incorporated into the back panel using multiple colors including navy (main color), white, black, and blue-green, requiring yarn bobbins to manage color changes
• Gauge Adjustment and Increases: Strategic increases of 10 stitches on the final ribbing row transition the fabric from elastic ribbing to the main body gauge
• Seaming: Pieces are sewn together using a darning needle after all sections are completed

Stitches Used

• 1x1 Ribbing (k1, p1): Creates the elastic cuffs and lower edging, worked over 3 inches to establish a fitted foundation
• Stockinette Stitch: Forms the primary fabric of the sweater body, worked in rows of knit stitches on the right side and purl stitches on the wrong side
• Charted Pattern Stitches: The soccer ball motif is worked using a stitch chart that incorporates multiple yarn colors to create the design

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in the crafter's color choice serves as the main color (MC). Navy is specified as the recommended main color. Additional colors required include white, black, blue, and green, used as scraps or bobbins for the soccer ball pattern. Yardage requirements vary by size: Small requires 300 grams (3 balls of 100g), Medium requires 400 grams (4 balls), Large requires 400 grams (4 balls), XL requires 400 grams (4 balls), and XXL requires 500 grams (5 balls) of the main color worsted weight yarn.

Needles: US size 5 needles are used for the ribbed edging, while US size 7 needles are used for the main body stockinette stitch sections. This needle size differential creates the characteristic tension difference between the elastic ribbing and the main fabric.

Additional Tools: The pattern requires 2 stitch markers to track pattern placement, yarn bobbins for managing the multiple colors in the intarsia pattern, a darning needle for seaming pieces together, and 2 stitch holders for holding stitches during construction.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches when measured in stockinette stitch on US size 7 needles. This gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements. The soccer ball pattern begins 4 inches, 4 inches, 4 inches, 4.5 inches, or 5 inches above the ribbing depending on size, and is centered on the back panel. After completing the pattern, stockinette stitch continues for an additional 1.5 to 2 inches depending on size.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, suitable for knitters with experience in basic techniques who are ready to tackle colorwork and garment shaping. The combination of ribbing, stockinette stitch, and charted intarsia pattern requires attention to detail and familiarity