Compass Sweater

Compass Sweater by Claire Jackson

What is Being Made

The Compass Sweater is an original knit design by Claire Jackson of Perfectly Knotted. This pullover sweater features a distinctive geometric compass motif created through raised lines on the front, back, and both sleeves. The design mimics the cardinal directions of a compass—North, East, South, and West—with four vertical raised lines, while the raglan seams echo the diagonal intercardinal directions of Northwest, Southwest, Southeast, and Northeast. The sweater is designed to fall to approximately mid-hip level and features a V-neck front with a relaxed fit through the body and more fitted sleeves. A practical side split hem at the bottom edge adds contemporary styling and movement to the garment.

Fit and Sizing Options

The Compass Sweater is offered in a comprehensive range of sizes: 30, 34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, and 70 inches (note that sizes 62, 66, and 70 are untested). The pattern includes customization options for waist shaping if desired, allowing knitters to adjust the silhouette to their preference. Additional length options are available to extend coverage beyond mid-hip if preferred. The sweater is designed with a slightly loose fit through the body, though knitters seeking a more fitted garment can choose a size down from their typical measurement.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Top-down construction: The sweater is worked from the top down, beginning at the neckline and progressing toward the hem
• Raglan shaping: Raglan seams create the diagonal lines that mimic intercardinal compass points
• Raised line stitch work: Textured vertical lines are created on the front, back, and sleeves to represent the four cardinal compass directions
• V-neck shaping: The front neckline features a V-shaped decrease
• Side split construction: The bottom hem includes a practical side split detail

Stitches and Stitch Details

• 1x1 ribbing: Used for both the sleeve cuffs and bottom edge hem, providing elasticity and a finished appearance
• Raised line stitches: Create the textured compass point design elements throughout the sweater

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Compass Sweater is designed to be worked in chunky weight yarn, which creates a quick, satisfying knit and produces a fabric with excellent drape and structure. The pattern will specify the required yardage based on the size being knitted. Knitters will need appropriate needles sized for chunky yarn (typically US 9–11 or larger, depending on desired gauge) and a circular needle for working the body in the round using the top-down method.

Difficulty Level

This design is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who are comfortable with techniques such as top-down raglan construction, shaping, and working with textured stitch patterns. The geometric compass design requires attention to stitch placement and pattern repeats, but the straightforward top-down method simplifies garment assembly.