"Breton Jumper" - Jumper Knitting Pattern For Women in Paintbox Yarns Simply DK - DK-Wom-001

Breton Jumper Knitting Pattern for Women – Paintbox Yarns Simply DK (DK-Wom-001)

The Breton Jumper is a classic women's striped sweater knitting pattern designed by Paintbox Yarns, available as a free downloadable PDF (pattern code DK-Wom-001). Inspired by the timeless Breton stripe aesthetic — a nautical staple that has remained a wardrobe favourite for decades — this design delivers a clean, relaxed silhouette that works beautifully for everyday wear. It is rated easy/intermediate in difficulty, making it an ideal project for knitters who have moved beyond the basics and are ready to tackle a fully seamed, multi-colour garment.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a women's pullover jumper worked in a classic horizontal stripe design. The finished garment features a comfortable fit with set-in or drop-shoulder-style sleeves and a neat finished length measured to the shoulder. It is sized to fit a range of bust measurements, making it a versatile pattern suitable for a wide variety of body types.

• Sizes available: To fit bust 81, 86, 91, 97, 102, and 107 cm (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, and 42 in)
• Actual measurements: 86, 92, 97, 103, 108, and 114 cm (33¾, 36¼, 38, 40½, 42½, and 45 in)
• Finished length to shoulder: 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, and 59 cm (21¼, 21½, 22, 22½, 22¾, and 23¼ in)
• Sleeve length: 31, 31, 32, 32, 32, and 33 cm (12¼, 12¼, 12½, 12½, 12½, and 13 in)

The jumper is designed with a modest amount of positive ease, meaning the actual chest measurement is larger than the bust measurement it is designed to fit. This creates a relaxed, comfortable drape that is characteristic of the Breton style.

Construction Techniques

The Breton Jumper is constructed using a bottom-up, worked flat method, meaning each main piece — the front, back, and sleeves — is knitted separately from the lower edge upward and then joined together using seaming. This traditional approach to sweater construction is well-suited to intermediate knitters who are comfortable working with multiple pieces and finishing techniques.

• Bottom-up construction: Knitting begins at the hem and progresses upward toward the shoulders, allowing for easy length adjustments before the armhole shaping begins.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted back and forth in rows on straight or circular needles, rather than in the round. This is a straightforward method that produces a fabric with a clear right and wrong side.
• Seamed finishing: The individual pieces are sewn together after knitting is complete. Seaming adds structure to the finished garment and is a valuable skill for any knitter to develop. Common seaming methods used in garments like this include mattress stitch for side and sleeve seams.
• Stripe pattern: The defining design feature of this jumper is its horizontal stripe sequence, worked by changing yarn colours at the beginning of rows. Because the fabric is worked flat, yarn can be carried up the side of the work or cut and rejoined, depending on the stripe repeat and personal preference.

Stitches Used

As a DK weight knitting pattern at an easy/intermediate level, the Breton Jumper relies primarily on fundamental knitting stitches. Knitters familiar with basic knit and purl techniques will find the stitch vocabulary accessible, while the shaping and stripe management provide enough interest to keep the project engaging.

• Knit stitch: The foundation of the stocking stitch (stockinette) fabric that forms the main body of the jumper.
• Purl stitch: Used on wrong-side rows when working stocking stitch flat, and likely also used for any ribbed edgings at the hem, cuffs, and neckline.
• Rib stitch