Breakaway

Breakaway Knit Sweater by Alicia Plummer

What Is Being Made

Breakaway is a downloadable knitting pattern for a DK-weight pullover sweater designed by independent designer Alicia Plummer. This garment is suitable for beginner knitters and is available in six sizes ranging from 33 inches to 53 inches finished bust measurement (84 cm to 135 cm). The sweater features a relaxed fit with intended positive ease of 0 to 3 inches (0 to 7.5 cm), with the sample modeled at 3 inches of ease for a comfortable, slightly loose silhouette.

Construction and Techniques

Breakaway employs a hybrid construction method that combines flat and circular knitting. The sweater is worked flat initially, then joined in the round at the front to complete the garment. This mixed-method approach allows for controlled shaping during the initial construction while enabling efficient circular knitting for the body and sleeves once the piece is joined. The design incorporates raglan-style shaping, which is created using strategically placed increases that form the characteristic diagonal lines from underarm to neckline.

The pattern includes eyelet details, which are small decorative holes created through yarn-over increases. These eyelets add visual interest and textural variation to the finished sweater. The use of multiple place markers in different colors helps knitters track various pattern sections simultaneously, including four markers dedicated to raglan shaping, two for the eyelet panel, and one for the beginning of round.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure is stockinette stitch, which creates the smooth, classic V-textured fabric characteristic of most everyday knit sweaters. Stockinette is worked in the round using knit stitches on every round, or alternating knit and purl rows when working flat. The pattern also incorporates yarn-over stitches to create the eyelet details, which involve wrapping yarn around the needle to form intentional holes that add both aesthetic and functional design elements.

Materials and Specifications

The recommended yarn is Nice & Knit DK Luxe in the colorway wave, a premium blend composed of 65% superwash merino wool, 20% silk, and 15% yak fiber. This luxury fiber combination provides softness, breathability, and durability. The yarn is a DK weight (also called light worsted), which is a versatile mid-weight suitable for garments with good drape and structure. Each 100-gram skein contains 230 yards of yarn.

Total yardage requirements vary by size: 1000 yards for the smallest size (33 inches), increasing to 1500 yards for the largest size (53 inches). This graduated yardage allows knitters to select the appropriate quantity based on their chosen finished bust measurement.

The pattern requires two sets of needles in different sizes. US size 8 (5 mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches (61 cm) and matching double-pointed needles are used for working in stockinette at the correct gauge. US size 6 (4 mm) circular needles and double-pointed needles of the same length are used for ribbed sections or areas requiring tighter gauge. The gauge is established at 18 stitches and 24 rounds per 4 inches (10 cm) when working stockinette stitch on the larger needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements.

Additional notions include seven place markers in different colors to track pattern sections, a darning needle for weaving in yarn ends, and standard knitting supplies. The color differentiation of markers helps prevent confusion when managing multiple pattern elements across the raglan increases and eyelet panel sections.