Antler Pullover

Antler Pullover by Tin Can Knits

What is Being Made

The Antler Pullover is an intermediate-level knitted sweater featuring a bold cabled yoke as its signature design element. This pullover is designed as a versatile garment suitable for multiple sizes, ranging from children's sizes (0-4 years) through adult sizes (XS to 4XL). The sweater is constructed to be worn with positive ease, meaning it is intentionally sized larger than body measurements for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Knitting Techniques Used

This project employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques:

• Knitting in the round: The sweater is constructed using circular needles and double-pointed needles (DPNs) to create seamless, tubular sections. Knitters have the option to use the magic loop technique, which allows working in the round using a single long circular needle instead of traditional circulars and DPNs.
• Cable work: The defining feature of the yoke incorporates cable stitches, which require a cable needle to create the twisted, rope-like texture characteristic of cable knitting.
• Yoke shaping: The sweater uses a yoke construction method, where increases are strategically placed within the yoke pattern to shape the garment from the neckline outward.
• Stockinette stitch: The body and sleeves are worked in stockinette stitch, the most common knit stitch pattern, which creates a smooth, flat fabric.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structures in the Antler Pullover include:

• Stockinette stitch: Used for the main body, sleeves, and non-patterned sections, providing a classic, smooth appearance.
• Cable stitches: Featured prominently in the yoke design to create the bold, textured pattern that gives this sweater its distinctive look.

Materials and Gauge

Yarn: The Antler Pullover is designed to be worked in worsted or aran weight yarn. The pattern includes a sizing table with specific yardage requirements for each size. The sample garments shown in the pattern were knitted using yarn from the Hinterland Range in colorways 'snow' and 'truffle'.

Needles: The pattern recommends US #6 / 4mm and US #8 / 5mm circular and double-pointed needles, or needles as required to achieve the correct gauge. Needle lengths vary by size: children's sizes (0-4 years) use 16" circulars, children's and small adult sizes (4 years through XS) use 24" circulars, and larger adult sizes (S through 4XL) use 32" circulars. All sizes require DPNs in both needle sizes for working the sleeves and other small circumference sections.

Gauge: The pattern is worked to a gauge of 18 stitches and 26 rounds per 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger (US #8 / 5mm) needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit, particularly with the multiple size options available.

Additional notions: A cable needle is required for working the cable pattern in the yoke. Stitch markers help track pattern repeats and shaping increases. A darning needle is needed for weaving in yarn ends during finishing.

Sizing and Fit

The Antler Pullover is designed to be worn with positive ease, meaning the finished garment measurements are intentionally larger than the wearer's body measurements. The sizing table provides finished chest and bust measurements for each size. Knitters should select their size based on their chest measurement plus their desired amount of ease. The pattern notes that the sweater looks great with a modest amount of positive ease; for example, a woman with a 34.5" chest measurement might choose the Women's Small size (36.5" finished chest) for approximately 2 inches of positive ease.