Baseline

Baseline Pullover Sweater by Verena Cohrs

What Is Being Made

Baseline is a classic pullover sweater designed by Verena Cohrs as part of the Making Stories & Friends Winter 2018 collection. This garment is engineered to function as a versatile wardrobe staple that complements various fit preferences and personal style choices. The pullover features a relaxed, approachable design that prioritizes wearability and longevity in a modern knitter's closet.

Design Features and Construction

The sweater showcases two-coloured stripes as its primary visual element, creating visual interest while maintaining the understated elegance of a foundational piece. These stripes are balanced by wide bands of ribbing positioned at the cuffs and hem, which provide structure and help the garment maintain its shape through wear and washing. A coordinating neckband completes the design—slightly wider than a traditional crewneck—offering a refined finish that sits comfortably at the base of the neck.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

Baseline is constructed using fundamental knitting techniques suitable for intermediate-level knitters. The garment employs ribbing stitch for the cuffs, hem, and neckband, a technique that creates vertical columns of texture and elasticity. The body of the sweater utilizes striped colourwork, which involves alternating between two yarn colours to create horizontal bands throughout the piece. This straightforward approach to colour work makes the design accessible while producing striking visual results.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Baseline is designed to be knitted with sport-weight yarn, a lightweight category that allows for drape and fluidity in the finished fabric. The original pattern was created using The Fibre Co.'s Arranmore Light, a yarn specifically chosen for its beautiful draping qualities and extensive colour range. The Arranmore Light's characteristics ensure the sweater will hang elegantly on the body while maintaining the definition provided by the ribbed bands. The availability of striking colour options in this yarn line enables knitters to select combinations that make the knitting process enjoyable and the finished garment uniquely personal.

Sizing and Fit

The pattern is offered in eight sizes (numbered 1 through 8), with finished bust circumferences ranging from 88 cm to 144 cm (34.75 inches to 56.75 inches). The design is intended to be worn with 8–12 cm (3.25–4.75 inches) of positive ease, meaning the finished garment should measure slightly larger than the wearer's actual bust measurement. This ease allowance contributes to the comfortable, approachable fit that makes Baseline a reliable everyday piece.