Broad Brush

Broad Brush Sweater by Elizabeth Felgate

What Is Being Made

Broad Brush is a downloadable knitting pattern for a women's sweater designed by independent designer Elizabeth Felgate. This pullover sweater emphasizes economy of line and bold design, making it an ideal choice when you need a new garment quickly. The design is versatile for layering and comes in five sizes ranging from XS (finished chest 80cm/31½ inches) through XL (finished chest 118.5cm/46¾ inches), accommodating a wide range of body measurements.

Design Philosophy and Construction

The Broad Brush sweater prioritizes simplicity and speed without sacrificing elegance. The designer describes the aesthetic as capturing "economy of line and boldness of conception," comparing the finished fabric quality to Chinese calligraphy rather than a crude marker pen. This is achieved through a specific yarn-doubling technique that creates a more refined appearance than using a single chunky yarn alone.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for DK weight yarn held double, which creates a fabric equivalent to chunky weight while maintaining superior drape and elegance compared to working with a single chunky yarn. This doubling technique is central to achieving the sweater's sophisticated aesthetic. Required notions include waste yarn for holding stitches, a tapestry needle for grafting seams and weaving in ends, and stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

Broad Brush is rated as an intermediate-level pattern and assumes familiarity with fundamental knitting skills. The pattern employs the following techniques:

• Knit and purl stitches as the foundation of the fabric
• Short rows for shaping the garment (video instruction is provided with the pattern)
• Increasing and decreasing for size adjustments
• Grafting using the tapestry needle to join pieces seamlessly

Pattern Format and Sizing

This is a downloadable PDF pattern written in a nested sizing format for efficiency. The pattern is written out in full for the XS size, with measurements and stitch counts for sizes S, M, L, and XL provided in parentheses in ascending order. This format allows knitters to follow a single set of instructions while easily identifying their size-specific numbers throughout the pattern.

Why Choose Broad Brush

Broad Brush is perfect for knitters seeking a fast, elegant sweater project that doesn't require complex colorwork or intricate stitch patterns. The use of DK yarn held double means you'll complete the sweater quickly while achieving a more refined fabric than traditional chunky yarn. Its straightforward construction and intermediate skill requirements make it accessible to experienced knitters ready to move beyond beginner projects, while the bold design ensures a modern, striking finished garment suitable for everyday wear and layering.