Sussex Square Sweater in Erika Knight Wild Wool - 72001100 - Downloadable PDF

Sussex Square Sweater by Erika Knight in Wild Wool — Pattern Summary

The Sussex Square Sweater is a short, wide ribbed pullover designed by Erika Knight and knitted in her signature Wild Wool yarn. This is a beautifully simple yet striking design that achieves its distinctive look through an unconventional construction method: the sweater is knitted from cuff to cuff rather than from hem to shoulder. This horizontal construction naturally orients the rib stitch pattern sideways across the body, creating a bold horizontal rib effect that gives the garment its relaxed, contemporary character. The result is a boxy, oversized silhouette with generous width and a cropped-to-mid length, making it a versatile wardrobe staple for casual and relaxed dressing.

This pattern is rated as beginner level, making it an ideal project for knitters who are new to garment construction or who want a straightforward, satisfying make with a high-impact result. The cuff-to-cuff method, while perhaps unfamiliar to some beginners, is actually a very logical and manageable approach that eliminates the need for complex shaping sequences and keeps the stitch count easy to follow throughout.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

The pattern is offered in three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large. The finished measurements are as follows:

• Finished Chest: 124cm / 48¾in (S), 132cm / 52in (M), 142cm / 56in (L)
• Length: 48cm / 19in (S), 53cm / 20¾in (M), 58cm / 22¾in (L)
• Width Cuff to Cuff: 138cm / 54¼in (S), 138cm / 54¼in (M), 139cm / 54¾in (L)
• Sleeve Length: 38cm / 15in (S), 36cm / 14¼in (M), 34cm / 13½in (L)

The generous finished chest measurements reflect the deliberately oversized, relaxed fit that is characteristic of Erika Knight's aesthetic. The garment shown in the pattern photographs is a size Small, worn by a model who is a UK size 8 and 5'7" tall, giving a clear visual reference for how the sweater is intended to be worn with ease and drape.

Construction Method

The cuff-to-cuff construction is the defining feature of this design. Rather than beginning at the lower hem and working upward, the knitter casts on at one cuff, works along the full width of one sleeve, across the body of the sweater, and then down the second sleeve to the opposite cuff. This approach means that the rows of knitting run horizontally across the finished garment, which is precisely what causes the rib pattern to appear as horizontal stripes when the sweater is worn. It is a clever and elegant use of knitting direction to achieve a visual effect that would be much harder to replicate through other means.

Shaping is worked at the underarm and body sections through increases (M1) and decreases, including cast-on and cast/bind-off rows to shape the sleeve-to-body transition. The construction is essentially symmetrical, with the second half of the sweater mirroring the first once the centre of the body is reached.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The primary stitch pattern throughout the Sussex Square Sweater is a 2x2 rib, worked as [K2, P2] repeated across the row, with the final two stitches worked as K2 on right-side rows. This classic ribbing stitch creates a stretchy, textured fabric with excellent drape and recovery. When oriented horizontally through the cuff-to-cuff construction, the rib takes on a bold, graphic quality rather than the conventional vertical appearance seen in most sweater hems and cuffs.

• 2x2 Rib (K2, P2): The sole stitch pattern used throughout the entire garment, creating both the texture and the visual horizontal stripe effect.
• Knit (K) and Purl (P): The two fundamental knitting stitches that form the rib pattern.
• M1 (Make One): An increase stitch worked by picking up and kn