May Replay

May Replay by Deb Hoss – Spring V-Neck Pullover

What is Being Made

May Replay is a shaped, hip-length pullover sweater designed by Deb Hoss. This design is a reimagining of an earlier pattern called May, featuring delicate pink cables that evoke a spring aesthetic. The sweater offers versatility with two sleeve options: 3/4 length and long sleeves. It is sized for finished bust measurements of 30¾, 34½, 38½, 43, 46¾, 51, and 55 inches (78.1, 87.6, 97.8, 109.2, 118.7, 129.5, and 139.7 centimeters), accommodating a wide range of fit preferences.

Construction Technique

May Replay employs a bottom-up construction method that combines circular and flat knitting. The body is worked in the round from the hem upward until the V-neckline begins, at which point the piece is split and worked flat, back and forth, to create the shaped neckline. Sleeves are also worked bottom up in the round, incorporating short row cap shaping for a professional fit before being set into the armholes. This hybrid approach allows for seamless construction where possible while accommodating the shaping requirements of the V-neck design. After the main pieces are complete, stitches are picked up around the neckline to add a rib trim for finishing.

Stitches and Techniques Used

This intermediate-level pattern requires a comprehensive range of knitting skills:

• Cast-on and bind-off: Long-tail cast-on and 3-needle bind-off at the shoulders
• Shaping decreases: Slip, slip, knit (ssk), knit 2 together (k2tog), purl 2 together (p2tog), and purl 2 together through the back loop (p2tog tbl)
• Shaping increases: Right-leaning increase (RLI) and left-leaning increase (LLI)
• Textural elements: Cable stitches throughout the design, creating the delicate spring-inspired cable pattern
• Advanced techniques: Short row shaping for sleeve cap construction, stitch pick-up for neckline trim application, and setting in sleeves
• Finishing: Blocking to achieve finished dimensions and drape

Yarn and Materials

May Replay is worked in sport weight yarn, a lightweight yarn category ideal for creating delicate, drape-friendly garments with refined stitch definition. The pattern requires circular needles for working the body and sleeves in the round, as well as straight needles or shorter circular needles for the flat sections of the V-neckline. The cable pattern is best showcased in the pink colorway featured in the original design photography.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with solid foundational skills who are ready to tackle more complex shaping and advanced techniques. Familiarity with cables, short row shaping, and sleeve cap construction is expected.