Fair Isle Turtleneck in Caron x Pantone - Downloadable PDF

Fair Isle Turtleneck in Caron x Pantone – Free Knitting Pattern Summary

This free downloadable PDF knitting pattern guides knitters through creating a Fair Isle knit turtleneck sweater using Caron x Pantone yarn. Rated as an intermediate skill level project, this design combines colorwork tradition with a modern, wearable silhouette. The pattern is available in two distinct colorway versions and covers six sizes, making it accessible to a wide range of knitters.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a Fair Isle turtleneck sweater worked in the round. It features a classic turtleneck collar and a fitted body with Fair Isle colorwork panels. The sweater is designed to fit bust measurements ranging from XS/S (28–34 inches) through 4/5 XL (56–62 inches), with finished bust measurements spanning from 36½ inches up to 65 inches, offering generous ease across all sizes.

Pattern Versions and Colorways

The pattern offers two color versions, each using the same yarn but in different arrangements of the multicolored Caron x Pantone braids:

• Version 1: Uses Pantone shades 16-0906 (MC), 19-4340 (A), 17-5034 (B), 19-4026 (C), 14-4809 (D), and 19-4024 (E)
• Version 2: Rearranges the contrast colors — 19-4024 (A), 19-4026 (B), 17-5034 (C), 14-4809 (D), and 19-4340 (E) — creating a different tonal effect with the same palette

Both versions use Mushroom Greige (01002) as the Main Color (MC) and Morning Blues (01016) as the contrast multicolored braid, with the number of braids required varying by size.

Materials Used

The pattern calls for Caron x Pantone yarn, an aran weight yarn sold in 3.5 oz / 100 g braids, each yielding approximately 127 yards / 116 meters. Because the yarn is a multicolored braid, knitters are instructed to separate each color link and wind into 5 individual balls per braid before beginning — an important preparation step for managing the Fair Isle colorwork cleanly.

• Main Color (MC) – Mushroom Greige (01002): 7–13 braids depending on size
• Contrast – Morning Blues (01016): 2–4 braids depending on size

Needles and Tools Required

• U.S. size 10 (6 mm) circular knitting needles, 29 inches / 74 cm long
• U.S. size 9 (5.5 mm) and U.S. size 10 (6 mm) double-pointed knitting needles (set of 4), or size needed to obtain gauge
• Stitch markers, stitch holders, and a spare needle

Gauge

The pattern gauge is 15 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stocking stitch using the larger U.S. size 10 (6 mm) needles. Achieving correct gauge is especially important in a colorwork garment like this, as Fair Isle knitting can naturally pull stitches tighter than plain stockinette.

Techniques and Stitches Used

Fair Isle knitting is a traditional stranded colorwork technique originating from the Fair Isle in Scotland. It involves carrying two or more yarn colors across a row or round, working stitches in each color as directed by a chart or written instructions. The result is a richly patterned fabric with characteristic floats on the wrong side. This pattern uses up to five contrast colors alongside the main color, making careful tension management essential.

• Stocking stitch (stockinette)