Matsuyoi

Matsuyoi Sweater by Tête Bêche Designs

What is Being Made

Matsuyoi is a practical, everyday sweater designed by Orlane Sucche for Tête Bêche Designs. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a versatile pullover sweater perfect for layering during cool weather. The design features functional pockets, making it ideal for keeping hands warm and carrying small essentials like keys and loose change. The sweater is suitable for casual activities such as train travel, neighborhood walks, and bike rides, and pairs well with contrasting colors like pumpkin-hued dresses.

Construction Technique

Matsuyoi is knitted in the round from the top down, a popular modern construction method that minimizes seaming and allows for easy fit adjustments. The pattern begins with a collar that is knitted first, followed by shaping the neckline using German short rows to create a smooth, contoured neck opening. The upper body is then worked until the sleeves are ready to be separated from the main body piece.

Once the body shaping is complete, textured raglan lines are grafted together to form sleeve gussets—reinforced underarm sections that provide improved mobility and durability. The sleeves themselves offer flexibility in construction method: knitters can choose to work them using the magic loop method (a technique using a single long circular needle) or double-pointed needles (DPNs), depending on personal preference and available tools.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The pattern incorporates textured raglan lines as a design element, adding visual interest and structural definition to the shoulder and armhole shaping. German short rows are employed to create smooth, three-dimensional shaping at the neckline, a technique that prevents holes and creates elegant curves without requiring increases or decreases in the traditional sense.

Yarn and Materials

Matsuyoi is designed to be knitted in fingering weight yarn, which is finer than standard worsted weight and allows for detailed stitch definition. The sample shown in the pattern was created using Brooklyn Tweed Loft, a 100% wool yarn that offers durability and warmth suitable for cool-weather wear.

Yarn requirements vary by size:

• Main Color (MC): Approximately 1200–2040 yards (1100–1860 meters), requiring 5–8 skeins of Brooklyn Tweed Loft (each skein contains 275 yards / 251 meters and weighs 50 grams)
• Contrast Color (CC): Approximately 85–100 yards (75–90 meters) for accent details

In addition to yarn, knitters will need circular needles (for the top-down construction) and either a long circular needle for magic loop or double-pointed needles for sleeve knitting, depending on chosen method.

Difficulty Level

Matsuyoi is rated as an intermediate knitting project. While the top-down construction and in-the-round knitting are accessible to experienced beginners, the inclusion of German short rows for neckline shaping and grafting techniques for sleeve gussets requires solid foundational skills and familiarity with more advanced construction methods.