Basic Dropped Shoulder Sweater
Tricot / Knitting

This unisex sweater is one of the easiest large projects you can make. Other than a little bit of shaping at the neckline, and increasing for the sleeves, there is nothing else that’s difficult.

The simple shapes make this a fantastic project for having fun with patterns and textures. If you make it big and loose, it will be the most comfortable sweater in your wardrobe. It’s also a great project to make as a gift, because you don’t have to worry about fit as much as for closer fitting garments.

Sizes

To fit chest sizes 34 (36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46)"

Knitted Measurements

Chest 38 (40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50)"

Length 23 (23½, 23½, 24, 24, 25, 25)"

Upper Arm 18 (19, 19, 20, 20, 21, 21)"

Materials list

Six 4 oz. balls of worsted weight yarn

Size 8, 26" and 20" circular needles

Tapestry needle

Stitch markers

Gauge

In stockinette stitch 18 sts and 24 rows = 4"

Yarn used for samples shown

Basic Solid Colored Sweater:

Brown Sheep’s Lamb’s Pride (85% wool/15% mohair, 4 oz., 190 yd.)

six skeins of color #M29 Jack’s Plum. Basic

Striped Sweater:

Brown Sheep’s Lamb’s Pride (85% wool/15% mohair, 4 oz., 190 yd.),

two skeins of #M185 Abergine;

two skeins of #M29 Jack’s Plum;

one skein each of #M175 Bronze Patina; #M181 Prairie Fire; #M05 Onyx; #M89 Roasted Coffee.

Back

CO 84 (88, 94, 98, 104, 108, 112) sts.

Work in St st until piece meas 3.4" less than finished length.

Shape Neckline

On next right side row k 28 (29, 32, 34, 34, 36, 38) sts, transfer center 28 (30, 30, 30, 36, 36, 36) sts to st holder, attach new ball of yarn and k rem 28 (29, 32, 34, 34, 36, 38) sts.

Work ea side separately.

Dec 1 st on neck edge on next two rows - 26 (27, 30, 32, 32, 34, 36) sts.

Work 2 more rows even in St st.

BO.

Front

Front Work the same as for the back until piece meas 3 (3.5, 3.5, 3.5, 3.5, 4, 4)" less than finished length.

Shape Neckline:

On next right side row, k33 (34, 37, 39, 39, 41, 43) sts, transfer center 18 (20, 20, 20, 26, 26, 26) sts to st holder, attach new ball of yarn and k rem 33 (34, 37, 39, 39, 41, 43) sts.

Work ea side separately.

Dec 1 st on neck edge on next 7 rows - 26 (27, 30, 32, 32, 34, 36) sts. Work 10 (14, 14, 14, 14, 17, 17) more rows even in St st. BO. Sleeves (make two) CO 38 (40, 40, 42, 42, 44, 44) sts.

Work the same as for back through row 14, increasing 1 st ea side on row 14 - 40 (42, 42, 44, 44, 46, 46) sts. Continuing in St st, inc 1 st ea end every fourth row 21 (22, 22, 23, 23, 24, 24) times - 82 (86, 86, 90, 90, 94, 94) sts. Work even in St st until sleeve meas finished length.

BO.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew the front to back at shoulders.

Collar:

With the right side of knitting facing you, pick up and knit 3 sts from the right back neck edge, 28 (30, 30, 30, 36, 36, 36) sts from the back st holder, 3 sts from the left back neck edge, 14 (18, 18, 18, 18, 21, 21) sts from left front neck edge, 18 (20, 20, 20, 26, 26, 26) sts from the front st holder, and 14 (18, 18, 18, 18, 21, 21) sts from right front neck edge 80 (92, 92, 92, 104, 110, 110) sts.

Knit in the round for 3".

BO loosely.

Sleeves and Side seams:

Center the sleeves over the shoulder seams and sew to the sides of the front and back. Sew the sleeve and front and back side seams tog.

Striped Variation

Working a simple pattern in bold stripes with a decorative edge is a great way to enhance a basic design. You can use the colors I’ve worked this piece in, or create your own color pattern, using your favourite colors.

For All Pieces

Beginning with the burgundy yarn, CO the same number of sts needed for your size in the Basic

Dropped Shoulder Sweater.

Row 1–3: K. Row 4: (K1, p1) rep across.

Row 5 and 6: (P1, k1) rep across.

Row 7 and 8: (K1, p1) rep across.

Row 9: (P1, k1) rep across.

Row 10–14: P.

Continue with the burgundy for 4 rows in St st, then rep the above color sequence for the rest of the pieces, working all shaping for neck and sleeve increases the same as the Basic Dropped Sweater instructions.