Glasgow Top-Down Pullover #B105

Glasgow Top-Down Pullover #B105

What Is Being Made

The Glasgow Top-Down Pullover is a men's pullover sweater designed by Sue McCain and available in an extensive range of sizes from XXS through 6X. This intermediate-level knitting project features a classic top-down construction method, allowing knitters to try on the garment as they work and easily customize the finished length. The pullover is suitable for knitters with some experience in garment construction and shaping techniques.

Construction Method and Techniques

This sweater is constructed using the top-down method, which begins with knitting the neckband and working downward through the body and sleeves. This approach offers several advantages: the ability to try on the garment during construction, flexibility in adjusting body and sleeve length before binding off, and the elimination of seaming since the piece is knit in the round. The pattern requires working with both circular needles and double-pointed needles to accommodate different sections of the garment.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Glasgow Top-Down Pullover is worked primarily in Stockinette Stitch (St st), the foundational stitch pattern that creates the smooth, classic appearance typical of traditional pullover sweaters. Stockinette stitch is achieved by alternating knit and purl rows when working flat, or by knitting every round when working in the round, which is the method used for this top-down construction.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for worsted weight yarn in an acrylic and wool blend. The yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 1150 yards for the XXS size up to 2350 yards for the 6X size. The sample garment shown in the pattern was knit using Kraemer Yarns Perfection Worsted, a yarn composed of 70% acrylic and 30% superwash merino wool, with each 100-gram skein providing 200 yards of yardage. The blend of acrylic and wool offers both durability and softness, with the superwash treatment making the finished sweater easy to care for.

Needles and Tools

This project requires multiple needle sizes to achieve proper gauge and accommodate different sections of the garment:

• Size 8 (5 mm) circular needle, 29 inches long or longer for the main body knitting
• Size 8 (5 mm) circular needle, 12 inches long or longer, plus a set of five double-pointed needles in the same size, for knitting the sleeves
• Size 9 (5.5 mm) circular needle, 16 inches long or longer for the neckband

Additional notions include stitch markers, waste yarn for holding stitches, and two removable markers for tracking pattern repeats or shaping points.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 25 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch using the Size 8 needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements and ensuring proper fit across the range of sizes offered.

Finished Measurements

The Glasgow Top-Down Pullover is available in 11 sizes with finished chest measurements ranging from 30.5 inches for the XXS size to 70.5 inches for the 6X size, accommodating a wide variety of body types and fit preferences. The pattern notes that knitters planning to increase the length of the body or sleeves beyond the pattern specifications should purchase additional yarn to ensure they have sufficient yardage to complete their customizations.