Sweaters in Stylecraft Special Chunky - 9773 - Downloadable PDF

Sweaters in Stylecraft Special Chunky – Pattern 9773: Detailed Summary

Pattern 9773 from Stylecraft is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern featuring two distinct chunky-weight sweater designs: a Round Neck Sweater and a Polo Neck Sweater. Both garments are worked in Stylecraft Special Chunky, one of the most popular and widely available chunky yarns in the UK, and the pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty. The inclusion of a broad size range — from a 32/34 inch to a 48/50 inch bust — makes this pattern genuinely accessible to a wide range of knitters and body types.

Sizes and Fit

The pattern covers five sizes, designed to fit bust measurements of:

• 81–86 cm (32–34 in)
• 91–97 cm (36–38 in)
• 102–107 cm (40–42 in)
• 112–117 cm (44–46 in)
• 122–127 cm (48–50 in)

The actual finished measurements range from 103 cm (40½ in) up to 143 cm (56¼ in), indicating a comfortable, relaxed fit with positive ease built in — typical of chunky knitwear designed for warmth and wearability. Full length (measured from the back of the neck) ranges from 60 cm to 71 cm, and sleeve length ranges from 46 cm to 48 cm depending on size.

Design One: Round Neck Sweater

The Round Neck Sweater is a classic, structured pullover featuring a combination of textural stitch patterns that give it visual interest without being overly complex. The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in Bluebell (shade 1082), a soft blue tone from the Stylecraft Special Chunky range.

Construction and Techniques

The sweater is constructed in the traditional flat-knitting method, with separate front, back, and sleeve pieces that are seamed together. The front begins with a thumb method cast-on, immediately establishing a neat, stretchy edge suited to ribbing. The lower border is worked in 2x2 rib (knit 2, purl 2) over 15 rows using 5 mm needles, creating a firm, elasticated hem.

After the ribbing, stitches are adjusted — either increased or decreased depending on the size — to set up the correct stitch count for the main body pattern. Knitters then switch to 6 mm needles for the body, which is worked in a carefully structured panel arrangement. The main body pattern is an 8-row repeat that combines:

• Stocking stitch panels at each side of the garment
• Reverse stocking stitch columns (purl ridges) used as dividers between panels, creating a clean, architectural look
• Cable panels running vertically through the body, including both an 8-stitch cable (worked as C8B and C8F on alternate cable rows) and a wide 42-stitch central cable panel featuring a combination of C4B and C4F four-stitch cables worked in alternating directions to create a complex, interlaced cable design

The central 42-stitch panel is particularly striking: it features a sequence of (C4B, C4F) 5 times on one cable row and (C4F, C4B) 5 times on the next, creating a plaited or braided cable effect across the full width of the body centre. This is flanked by the two 8-stitch cables, one on each side, which twist in opposite directions (C8B on one side, C8F on the other) to frame the central panel symmetrically.

Stitches Used – Round Neck Sweater

• 2x2 Rib (knit 2, purl 2) – for cuffs and hem borders
• Stocking Stitch – side body panels