Simple Sweater

Go minimalist with the Simple Sweater by Purl Foundry. A relaxed fit, drop shoulders and a wide neckline create an easy-wearing silhouette, with subtle shaping at the neck edge and sleeves. Plain stocking stitch lets marled, variegated and speckled yarns shine.

Construction and skill level

The body is knitted in the round from the bottom up, then divided at the underarms and worked flat. Once the shoulders are seamed, the sleeves and neckline are picked up and knitted.

Suitable for intermediate knitters and above.

Fit and sizing

Designed to be worn with 10–15cm / 4–6 inches of positive ease. Positive ease is the extra room between your bust measurement and the finished sweater. 

Yarn options

Choose fibres that achieve the required gauge with a soft, stable fabric.

• One strand of 8ply / DK-weight yarn.
• Two strands of 4ply / fingering-weight yarn held together in complementary colours for a marled effect.
• A lightweight combination of 4ply and lace-weight yarn held together, provided it achieves gauge.

For the double-strand 4ply version, you need the quantity in the chart in EACH yarn colour, not divided between the two colours.

Needles

• 3.5mm / US 4 circular needle for ribbing.
• 4.5mm / US 7 circular needle, or size needed to obtain gauge.

The sleeves are worked in the round using magic loop. You may use circular needles with a shorter cord or double-pointed needles instead.

Gauge

21 stitches and 28 rows = 10 × 10cm in stocking stitch.