Women Jumpers in Stylecraft Special XL Tweed - 9808 - Downloadable PDF

Stylecraft Special XL Tweed 9808 – Women's Super Chunky Knit Jacket and Sweater Pattern (Downloadable PDF)

Pattern 9808 from Stylecraft is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two distinct women's garments: a classic jacket and a pullover sweater, both worked in Stylecraft Special XL Tweed Super Chunky yarn. Designed with a beginner-friendly easy rating, this pattern is an excellent choice for those who are new to colourwork knitting, as it introduces a straightforward Fairisle technique in a forgiving super chunky weight. The inclusion of larger sizes is a notable feature, making this pattern genuinely size-inclusive across a wide range of fits.

Sizes and Measurements

Both garments are available in five sizes, designed to fit bust measurements of 81–86 cm (32–34 in) through to 122–127 cm (48–50 in). The pattern advises knitters to circle the size they wish to make before beginning, a helpful organisational tip for working from a multi-size PDF.

Jacket Measurements

• Actual bust: 96 cm (37¾ in) to 139 cm (54¾ in) across the size range
• Full length: 60 cm (23¾ in) to 71 cm (28 in)

Sweater Measurements

• Actual bust: 95 cm (37½ in) to 135.5 cm (53¼ in) across the size range
• Full length: 58 cm (22¾ in) to 69 cm (27¼ in)

Both garments are designed with a comfortable amount of positive ease, giving a relaxed, cosy fit that suits the chunky nature of the yarn.

Design 1 – The Jacket

The jacket is a structured, wearable knit featuring ribbed welts, a body worked in the main colour (MC), and a Fairisle colourwork panel as a decorative feature. The Fairisle element adds visual interest without overwhelming a beginner, as the super chunky gauge means the pattern repeats are worked over relatively few stitches and rows, making it easy to track.

Construction begins at the back, where stitches are cast on using 9mm needles and the main colour. The lower welt is worked in k1, p1 rib for approximately 6 cm (2½ in), providing a neat, elasticated edge that holds its shape well. After the rib section is complete, a decrease row is worked on the wrong side to shape the transition into the body, and the knitter then switches to 10mm needles for the main fabric. This needle change is a classic technique used to achieve the correct tension in the body of a garment after a tighter ribbed border.

Jacket Techniques and Stitches

• k1, p1 rib – used for the lower welt and cuffs, creating a stretchy, tidy border
• Fairisle colourwork – a traditional stranded knitting technique where two or more colours are used across a row to create a repeating motif; in this pattern it is kept accessible for beginners
• Stocking stitch – the main body fabric, worked in smooth knit and purl rows
• Decrease shaping – used at the waist transition and for armhole and neckline shaping
• Needle changes – moving from 9mm to 10mm needles between the rib and body sections

Design 2 – The Sweater

The sweater is a pullover jumper worked in the same Stylecraft Special XL Tweed Super Chunky yarn and shares the same size range and general construction approach as the jacket. Like the jacket, it features the Fairisle pattern, making it a coordinating companion piece. The slightly shorter length compared to the jacket gives it a more casual, everyday sil