Hansen Pullover - Sweater Knitting Pattern for Women in Tahki Yarns Superwash Merino Worsted Twist by Tahki Yarns - Downloadable PDF

Hansen Pullover – Seamed Women's Knitting Pattern by Rosemary Drysdale for Tahki Yarns

The Hansen Pullover is a women's pullover sweater knitting pattern designed by Rosemary Drysdale and published by Tahki Yarns as a downloadable PDF. Worked flat in pieces and seamed together, this design combines a relaxed, comfortable silhouette with subtle textural interest, making it an ideal project for knitters who are ready to move beyond the very basics and explore structured garment construction.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a classic women's pullover sweater with a generous, relaxed fit. It is sized to fit a range of bodies, offered in Small, Medium, Large, XL, and 2XL, with finished bust measurements spanning 37¼ to 51 inches (94.5 to 129.5 cm). The pattern is designed with 7 to 9 inches (18 to 23 cm) of positive ease, meaning the finished sweater is intentionally larger than the wearer's actual bust measurement, creating a comfortable, relaxed drape rather than a fitted silhouette. The length to underarm is a consistent 16 inches (40.5 cm) across all sizes. The sample shown was knitted in size Medium.

Construction Method

The Hansen Pullover is constructed using a seamed, worked-flat method. This means the individual pieces — such as the back, front, and sleeves — are knitted separately as flat panels and then joined together using seaming techniques. Working flat is a traditional approach to garment construction that many knitters find approachable and satisfying, as each piece can be blocked individually before assembly. Seaming, typically done with a yarn needle and techniques such as mattress stitch, creates neat, professional-looking joins and adds structure to the finished garment. This construction style is well-suited to intermediate and advanced beginner knitters who want to build confidence with garment shaping and finishing.

Techniques Used

• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round, producing flat fabric panels.
• Seamed construction: Finished pieces are joined with a yarn needle, a foundational skill in traditional sweater knitting.
• Garment shaping: The pattern includes shaping for armholes, sleeves, and neckline, introducing knitters to the increases and decreases essential for well-fitted knitwear.
• Blocking: Gauge is measured after blocking, and the seamed construction lends itself to blocking individual pieces flat before assembly — an important finishing step with merino wool.
• Stitch marker and stitch holder use: The materials list specifies both stitch markers and stitch holders, indicating that stitches are placed on hold at certain points, such as during neckline shaping.

Stitches Used

• Textured Rib Stitch: This is the primary stitch pattern used throughout the body of the pullover. Gauge is measured in this stitch — 21 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) on the larger needle after blocking. The textured rib creates a subtly dimensional fabric that adds visual interest without complex colorwork or cables.
• Garter Stitch: Used as a pattern stitch element within the design. Garter stitch, created by knitting every row when working flat, produces a ridged, squishy fabric with excellent drape and elasticity.
• Knit and Purl combinations: The back begins with a border sequence alternating knit right-side rows with rows that purl the first and last stitch and knit the stitches between — a simple but effective edge-finishing technique that keeps borders tidy and flat.

Materials – Yarn, Needles, and Notions

The Hansen Pullover is designed specifically for Tahki Yarns Superwash Merino Twist, a 100% merino wool yarn in a worsted weight. Each hank contains 3.5 oz (100g) and 221 yards (202m). The pattern calls for 6 (6, 7, 8, 9) hanks depending on size, worked in color 03 Stone, a neutral,