Women's Sweater in Sirdar Harrap Tweed DK - 7397 - Downloadable PDF

Women's Sweater Knitting Pattern in Sirdar Harrap Tweed DK – Pattern 7397

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Sirdar provides full instructions for a women's pullover sweater knitted in Sirdar Harrap Tweed DK yarn, shade 103. One of the most distinctive features of this design is its construction method: the sweater is knitted from the neck downward, which is a satisfying top-down approach that allows knitters to try the garment on as they go and adjust the length with ease before casting off.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a women's pullover sweater with set-in or drop-shoulder-style sleeves. It is a classic, wearable everyday garment with textured stitch detailing that takes full advantage of the rustic, tweedy character of the yarn. The sweater is available in three sizes to fit a range of bust measurements, making it accessible to a broad range of knitters.

• Small: To fit 81/86 cm (32/34 in) bust; actual measurement approximately 88 cm (34¾ in)
• Medium: To fit 91/97 cm (36/38 in) bust; actual measurement approximately 99 cm (39 in)
• Large: To fit 102/107 cm (40/42 in) bust; actual measurement approximately 109 cm (43 in)

Full lengths range from approximately 60 cm (23¾ in) for Small to 66 cm (26 in) for Large, and sleeve length is given as approximately 46–47 cm (18–18½ in) and is described as adjustable, giving knitters flexibility to customise the fit.

Construction Technique

As noted in the pattern, the sweater is knitted from the neck down. This top-down construction is a popular method among experienced knitters because it eliminates the need for complex seaming at the shoulders and allows for easy length adjustments. Working from the neck downward, stitches are typically increased outward to shape the body and sleeves, and the knitter can try the piece on at any stage before binding off. This approach is particularly well-suited to a textured design like this one, where maintaining pattern continuity across increases is part of the skill involved.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

The pattern makes use of several knitting stitches and techniques that create surface texture and visual interest across the body of the sweater:

• Stocking Stitch (Stockinette): The foundational stitch of the garment — one row knit, one row purl — used for the main body sections and as the basis for tension measurement.
• Slip Stitch Techniques: The pattern uses both s1p (slip 1 stitch purlways) and s1k (slip 1 stitch knitways), as well as s2p (slip 2 stitches purlways), to create textural effects and decorative detailing across the fabric.
• T3 Cable Twist: A defined stitch in the pattern — slip next 2 stitches to front on cable needle, purl 1, then slip 2 stitches from cable needle back onto left-hand needle, knit into the front of the 2nd stitch then purl into the 1st stitch. This creates a small but elegant twisted or crossed stitch effect that adds depth to the fabric without requiring a large cable panel.
• Yarn Over and Yarn Forward Techniques: The pattern uses yfwd (yarn forward), yft (yarn front), ybk (yarn back), yon (yarn over needle), and yrn (yarn round needle) to create decorative openwork or to manage yarn position between knit and purl stitches within the textured rows.
• Knit and Purl Combinations: Detailed row-by-row instructions use combinations of knit, purl, and slip stitches in repeating sequences to build up the surface pattern visible across the body of the sweater.
• Decrease Techniques: Standard shaping uses decreases including psso (pass slipped stitch over) and tog (together) methods for neckline and sleeve shaping.
• Increase Techniques