Kemp Town Sweater in Erika Knight Wild Wool - 72001098 - Downloadable PDF

Kemp Town Sweater by Erika Knight in Wild Wool – Pattern Summary

About This Pattern

The Kemp Town Sweater is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern designed by Erika Knight. It produces a relaxed, classic pullover with a round neckline and long sleeves, worked at an intermediate skill level. The design balances simplicity with thoughtful detailing, making it an ideal project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and are ready to explore subtle textural contrasts. The pattern is available in four sizes — S, M, L, and XL — with finished chest measurements ranging from 112cm / 44in up to 142cm / 56in, giving a generously relaxed, oversized silhouette across all sizes.

Design Details and Construction

The Kemp Town Sweater is primarily worked in stocking stitch (stockinette stitch), giving the body and overall structure a smooth, classic knitted fabric. One of the most distinctive design features is the shaped front hem, which is intentionally cut shorter than the back hem — a contemporary touch that adds visual interest and a modern, slightly asymmetric finish. For example, in size M, the front length measures 63cm / 24¾in while the back length is a longer 67cm / 26¼in.

The sleeves are worked in reverse stocking stitch — the purl side used as the right side — which creates a softer, more textured surface that contrasts beautifully with the smooth stocking stitch body. Running down the centre of each sleeve is a raised knit stitch, forming a subtle central spine detail that adds a refined, architectural quality to the sleeve without complicating the knitting process significantly. Sleeve lengths range from 45cm / 17¾in in size S up to 47cm / 18½in in sizes L and XL.

Ribbed details are incorporated into the design, providing neat, elasticated edges at the cuffs, hem, and neckline. Rib knitting alternates knit and purl stitches in a structured repeat, drawing in the fabric and creating a tidy, professional finish that helps the garment retain its shape over time.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Stocking stitch (St st) — the primary fabric of the body, worked by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side
• Reverse stocking stitch (Rev St st) — used throughout the sleeves, with the purl side presented as the right side for a textured, matte finish
• Raised knit stitch — a single central knit stitch running along the length of each sleeve, creating a decorative ridge
• Rib stitch — used at the cuffs, hem bands, and neckline for structured, stretchy edging
• M1 (Make One) — an increase technique worked by picking up and knitting into the back of the loop lying between stitches, used for shaping
• K2tog (Knit Two Together) — a right-leaning decrease stitch used in shaping sections
• Hem shaping — the front hem is shaped to sit shorter than the back, requiring careful row counting and shaping work
• Seaming and finishing — pieces are sewn together using a large-eyed blunt-tipped sewing needle

Materials – Yarn and Needles

The pattern is written specifically for Erika Knight Wild Wool, an aran weight yarn composed of 85% wool and 15% viscose (nettle). Each hank weighs 100g / 3oz and contains approximately 170m / 186yds. The nettle-derived viscose content gives the yarn a subtle lustre and drape alongside the warmth and structure of wool, making it a particularly appealing choice for a relaxed, wearable sweater. The garment shown in the pattern photographs is worked in the colourway Mooch.

The quantity of yarn required is 6 hanks for sizes S and M, rising to 7 hanks for