Drop Shoulder Sweater

Cast on and Ribbing

Row 1

Cast on 212 stitches with US size 6 (4 mm) circular needles. Place marker and join to work in the round.

Ribbing

Work in [k2, p2] ribbing for 2 in / 5 cm, ending after a WS row. Knit one round in stockinette stitch.

Transition to US size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles. Begin pattern as follows:

Wild Oats (Round Instructions)

Round 1

[K2, slwyib, k1] rep bet brackets to end of round

Round 2

[K2, slwyib, k1] rep bet brackets to end of round

Round 3

[1/2 RC, k1] rep bet brackets to end of round

Round 4

Knit

Round 5

[K2, slwyib, k1] rep bet brackets to end of round

Round 6

[K2, slwyib, k1] rep bet brackets to end of round

Round 7

K1, [k1, 1/2 LC] rep bet brackets to 3 st before end of round, k1, then work 1/2 LC with last 2 st of this round and first st of next round - Move the BOR marker to work this last 1/2 LC st, then replace it in the same location. It should sit right between the two st of the final 1/2 LC).

Round 8

Knit

Next Round

Rep pattern until lower body measures approximately 11 in / 28 cm.

Divide for Sleeves

Next Round RS

Knit 106 stitches. Place the remaining 106 stitches on waste yarn so that they are out of the way as you work the front side flat.

Next Rows

Working back and forth on the front, continue knitting straight until front piece measures 9.5 in / 24 cm from where you began working flat. Bind off with medium tension.

Back

Place the back section stitches onto your working needle and continue in stockinette stitch (knit the RS, purl the WS) until back piece is approximately equal to the height of the top of the shoulders on the front section.

Bind off the back section in pattern with medium tension.

Align the front and back sections so the shoulders match on top and the sleeve edges are even. Seam together 32 stitches from the top left edge of the sweater front to create the left shoulder. Repeat this on the top right edge. You should now have two seamed shoulders with a total of 84 stitches in the center.

Neck

With US size 6 (4 mm) circular needles - or 2 sizes smaller than needle used for body – pick up the live stitches around the front and back neckline.

Working on the right side, knit 4 rounds.

Bind Off

Bind off in pattern with medium/loose tension. (Edge should curl when finished.)

Sleeves

With US size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles or DPNs, pick up approximately 92 stitches around the arm, ensuring that you've picked them up equally around.

Note

To do this easily, start at the center of the underarm and pick up half the stitches between the underarm and the top center shoulder seam. Then pick up the same number down the other side. If you'd like your sleeve to fit with a bit more room, you may pick up additional stitches as you work around.

When sleeve stitches are on the needle, place a marker at the center of the underarm and knit in the round for 1 in / 3 cm

Decrease Row

K1, k2tog, k to 3 stitches before m, ssk, k1

Continue Sleeve

Continue the sleeve in stockinette stitch (knitting every round), working a decrease row as established above approximately every 0.75 in / 2 cm until sleeve measures approximately 3 in / 8 cm and you have 84 stitches.

Sleeve Ribbing

Transition to needle two sizes smaller and knit one round.

Begin ribbing as follows: [K2, p2] rep to end of round. Continue working ribbing as established until cuff measures 2 in / 5 cm.

Bind off in pattern with medium tension.

Repeat for second sleeve.

Finishing and blocking

Weave in ends and wet block your sweater, pinning flat and turning once as needed until dry.

Wet block sweater, soaking for at least 20 minutes, then press out excess water and pin flat to dry. Turn as needed for even drying.