Top-Down Yoke Sweater in Hayfield Spirit Chunky - 10858 - Downloadable PDF

Top-Down Yoke Sweater in Hayfield Spirit Chunky – Pattern 10858

This knitting pattern from Sirdar guides you through creating a classic, cosy top-down yoke sweater worked in Hayfield Spirit Chunky yarn. Rated as a beginner difficulty project, it is an excellent introduction to seamless, in-the-round knitting, making it a rewarding choice for those who are new to garment construction as well as for more experienced knitters looking for a satisfying, straightforward make.

About the Design

The pattern produces a pullover sweater with a circular yoke, worked from the top down in one seamless piece. This construction method is beloved by knitters because it allows for easy fitting adjustments as you go and eliminates the need for sewing seams at the end. The sweater features a clean, timeless silhouette with set-in-style shaping achieved through the yoke increases, long sleeves, and a comfortable, relaxed fit across a wide range of sizes.

The design is available in seven sizes, covering chest measurements from 28/30 inches (71/76 cm) up to 52/54 inches (132/137 cm), making it an inclusive pattern suitable for a broad range of body types. Finished widths range from 35½ inches (90 cm) to 59½ inches (151 cm), and full lengths range from approximately 22¾ inches (58 cm) to 27½ inches (70 cm). Sleeve lengths are between 17¾ inches (45 cm) and 19 inches (48 cm) depending on size.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is specifically designed for Hayfield Spirit Chunky, a chunky weight yarn sold in 100g balls. The colourway used in the pattern sample is shade 405, Casper. Depending on the size being knitted, you will need between 5 and 8 balls of yarn, making this a relatively economical project in terms of materials.

Hayfield Spirit Chunky is a yarn known for its soft, warm handle and its suitability for quick, satisfying knits — ideal for a beginner-friendly sweater pattern like this one. Its chunky weight means the fabric grows quickly on the needles, keeping the project engaging from cast-on to cast-off.

Needles and Notions Required

• 6½mm (UK3 / USA10.5) circular needle, 80cm or 100cm length — for the main body and yoke
• 6½mm (UK3 / USA10.5) circular needle, 40cm length, or a set of 6½mm double pointed needles — for working the sleeves in the round
• 5½mm (UK5 / USA9) circular needle, 80cm or 100cm length — for ribbed edgings and neckband
• 5½mm (UK5 / USA9) circular needle, 40cm length, or a set of 4 x 5½mm double pointed needles — for smaller circumference ribbing sections
• Stitch holders — used to hold sleeve stitches while the body is worked
• Stitch markers — essential for tracking yoke increase points and round beginnings

Construction Method

The sweater is constructed top-down and in the round, beginning at the neckline and working downward through the yoke, body, and then the sleeves. The top-down approach is particularly beginner-friendly because it allows you to try the garment on as you knit, adjusting the yoke depth or body length before you commit to casting off. Stitches for the sleeves are typically placed on holders while the body is completed, then picked up and worked downward to the cuff — a technique that avoids any sewing and keeps the entire project as a single, continuous piece of knitting.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Knit and purl stitches — the fundamental building blocks used throughout the sweater body and yoke
• Rib stitch — used for the neckband, cuffs, and hem to create stretchy, neat edges that hold