Vancouver Sweater

Vancouver Sweater by Anna Dalvi

What is Being Made

The Vancouver Sweater is a knitted pullover sweater designed by Anna Dalvi, available in five sizes ranging from 34" to 42" chest circumference. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted, modern sweater with distinctive colorwork details that add visual interest to the finished garment.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs circular knitting worked in the round from the bottom up, which eliminates the need for seaming and creates a seamless construction. The sweater features stranded colorwork or contrast color work, where the knitter switches between a main color and a contrast color yarn at specific intervals to create horizontal striped sections. The body is worked flat in the round using the two-color technique, with color changes strategically placed to create visual bands throughout the garment. The pattern also incorporates ribbed edging to provide structure and elasticity at the neckline and cuffs.

Stitches Used

The Vancouver Sweater is constructed primarily using knit and purl ribbing (k1, p1 pattern), which creates the textured surface and provides stretch and recovery to the finished fabric. The ribbing is worked in a relaxed tension, which affects the final gauge and drape of the sweater. This stitch pattern is both functional and decorative, offering a classic aesthetic that works well with the two-color design.

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: Wollmeise Sockenwolle 100% superwash wool in 4-ply weight (150 g, 526 m per skein). For sizes 34" through 38" chest, you will need 2 skeins in the main color and 1 skein in the contrast color. For the larger sizes (40" and 42" chest), the pattern requires 3 skeins in main color and 2 skeins in contrast color to ensure adequate yardage for the increased circumference.

Needles and Notions: Two 2.25 mm circular needles—one 32" and one 40" in length—to accommodate the different stages of the sweater construction. Stitch markers are used to denote pattern repeats and color changes, and a tapestry needle is required for weaving in yarn ends after binding off.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 27 stitches and 36 rows over 4" x 4" in relaxed knit and purl ribbing. This gauge measurement is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements and fit. The relaxed gauge indicates that the ribbing should be worked without excessive tension, allowing the fabric to have natural elasticity and drape.

Construction Overview

The body of the sweater begins with casting on between 258 and 282 stitches (depending on size) on the 32" circular needles. After joining in the round, the knitter works in knit and purl ribbing for approximately 13" to 14.5" depending on the selected size. The colorwork section follows, with the knitter switching to the contrast color for 16 rounds, then returning to the main color for 5 rounds, and finally working 10 more rounds in the contrast color before binding off. This color sequence creates distinctive horizontal stripes that define the sweater's visual design.