Virginia Sweater in Erika Knight British Blue 100 - Downloadable PDF

Virginia Sweater by Erika Knight in British Blue 100 – Pattern Summary

The Virginia Sweater is a beautifully considered knitting pattern by designer Erika Knight, offered as a downloadable PDF for home printing and personal use. This pattern sits at an intermediate difficulty level and produces a striking, wearable garment that blends classic knitwear construction with thoughtful contemporary details. It is an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to explore more structured stitch work such as cables and directional shaping.

About the Garment

The Virginia is a tunic-length, long-sleeved sweater featuring a scoop neckline and an asymmetrical hem that gives the finished piece a relaxed, modern silhouette. The standout design detail is a diagonal cable stitch panel that runs across the front body and the left sleeve, adding visual interest and texture without overwhelming the clean lines of the overall shape. The tunic length makes it versatile for wearing over leggings, slim trousers, or jeans, and the long sleeves ensure warmth and elegance across cooler seasons.

Sizing and Finished Measurements

The pattern is graded across five sizes, ranging from Small through to XXL, making it accessible to a wide range of knitters and body types. Finished measurements are as follows:

• Finished Chest: 94cm / 37in (S) — 100cm / 39½in (M) — 106cm / 41¾in (L) — 112cm / 44in (XL) — 118cm / 46½in (XXL)
• Length: 75cm / 29½in (S) — 78cm / 30¾in (M & L) — 81cm / 32in (XL & XXL)
• Sleeve Length: 44cm / 17¼in (S & M) — 46cm / 18in (L, XL & XXL)

These are finished garment measurements, so knitters should select their size based on their preferred fit and ease rather than their body measurements alone. The tunic proportions mean the garment is designed with a relaxed, slightly oversized drape in mind.

Yarn: Erika Knight British Blue 100

The pattern is written specifically for Erika Knight British Blue 100, a luxurious 100% pure British Bluefaced Leicester wool. This is a premium, single-breed yarn that celebrates the heritage of British wool farming. Bluefaced Leicester is prized for its fine, lustrous fibre with a soft handle that is notably less scratchy than many other British wool breeds, making it comfortable to wear next to the skin.

• Yarn Weight: DK (double knitting)
• Yardage per Hank: Approximately 220 metres / 240 yards per 100g / 3oz hank
• Quantity Required: 6 (6:7:7:8) hanks depending on size
• Colourway Shown: Clarissa

The Clarissa colourway, as shown in the pattern photography, demonstrates how the diagonal cable detail catches the light beautifully in a tonal, natural-inspired shade. The stitch definition offered by Bluefaced Leicester wool makes it an ideal choice for textured stitch patterns such as the cables featured in this design.

Needles and Tools

• Needle Size: 3.75mm / US 5 needles

The use of 3.75mm needles with a DK weight yarn produces a slightly firmer, denser fabric than a standard DK tension, which is typical of Erika Knight's design aesthetic and helps the cable details retain their structure and definition. Knitters should always work a tension swatch before beginning to ensure accurate sizing.

Techniques and Stitches Used

The Virginia pattern incorporates a range of knitting techniques that place it firmly in the intermediate category. Knitters should be comfortable with both knit and purl fabric, basic shaping, and ideally have some prior experience with cable or diagonal stitch