Originally published in the 1980s, this classic pullover knit jumper top is worked flat in pieces and seamed together. It features an easy-to-memorize texture pattern created with large needles for a soft, drapey fabric—just what you’d expect from cozy, oversized fashion of the era.
Whether you’re a fan of vintage fashion or just looking for a fun and rewarding knit, this piece is a great addition to your handmade wardrobe.
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Skills Required
- Casting on and binding off
- Basic shaping (increases and decreases)
- Ribbing (K1, P1)
- Working simple pattern repeats
- Seaming pieces together
This is a great project for advanced beginners and intermediate knitters who want to practice working with different needle sizes and texture techniques.
Sizing (Bust Measurements)
Available in sizes to fit busts:
32″ (81 cm), 34″ (86 cm), 36″ (91 cm), 38″ (97 cm)
with generous ease for a relaxed fit.
Yarn + Needles
You’ll need 8–9 balls of DK-weight yarn like Patons Diana (or substitute a soft DK yarn of your choice), plus:
- 4.5 mm (US 7) straight needles
- 12.5 mm (US 17) straight needles (for pattern texture)
Style Tips
This sweater pairs beautifully with:
- High-waisted trousers or jeans
- A belt cinched at the waist for a retro silhouette
- Layered necklaces for that effortless vintage glam
The lightweight texture makes it great for spring layering, or as a beach cover-up during warmer months.
SIZES AND MATERIALS:
| Size | Bust Measurement | Finished Bust (approx.) | Length from Top of Shoulder | Sleeve Seam |
| 12 | 32 ins (81 cm) | 37″ (94 cm) | 21½” (55 cm) | 18″ (46 cm) |
| 14 | 34 ins (86 cm) | 38½” (98 cm) | 22″ (56 cm) | 18″ (46 cm) |
| 16 | 36 ins (91 cm) | 40″ (102 cm) | 22½” (57 cm) | 18½” (47 cm) |
| 18 | 38 ins (97 cm) | 43″ (109 cm) | 22½” (57 cm) | 18½” (47 cm) |
Yarn: Patons Diana (50g)
- Size 12: 8 balls
- Size 14: 8 balls
- Size 16: 9 balls
- Size 18: 9 balls
Needles:
- Two 4½ mm (U.S. 7)
- One 12½ mm (U.S. 17)
- Or whichever needles you require to produce tension.
Tension: 11 sts and 17 rows = 4 ins (10 cm) in pattern.
Note:
To achieve the desired soft effect, this garment is designed to be worked on larger needles at a looser tension than usual. Please keep in mind that this is a vintage pattern and the materials listed may no longer be available. Please ensure to check your gauge.
Instructions are for size 12. Changes for sizes 14, 16, and 18 are written in brackets thus: ( ).
FRONT:
With 4½ mm needles cast on 59 sts
(14—63 sts) (16—67 sts) (18—71 sts).
1st row (Right Side):
K1. *P1, K1. Repeat from * to end of row.
2nd row:
P1. *K1, P1. Repeat from * to end of row.
Repeat these 2 rows (K1, P1) ribbing for 3½ ins (9 cm) ending with wrong side facing for next row.
Next row:
P4 (14—P6) (16 and 18—P4).
*P2tog. P6 (14—P5) (16 and 18—P4).
Repeat from * to last 7 sts (14 and 16—5 sts) (18—7 sts).
P2tog. P5 (14 and 16—P3) (18—P5).
52 sts on needle (14—54 sts) (16—56 sts) (18—60 sts).
Proceed in pattern as follows:
1st row (Right side):
With 4½ mm needle, P1 (14—P2) (16—P3) (18—P0).
K2 (14 and 16—K2) (18—K1).
*P4, K2. Repeat from * to last st (14—2 sts) (16—3 sts) (18—5 sts).
P1 (14—P2) (16—P3) (18—P4).
K0 (14 and 16—K0) (18—K1).
2nd row:
With 12½ mm needle, purl all knit sts and knit all purl sts of previous row.
3rd row: As 1st row.
4th row: As 2nd row.
5th row:
With 4½ mm needle, K0 (14—K1) (16 and 18—K0).
P2 (14—P2) (16 and 18—P0).
*P2, K2. P2. Repeat from * to last 2 sts (14—3 sts) (16—4 sts) (18—0 sts).
P2 (14 and 16—P2) (18—P0).
K0 (14—K1) (16—K2) (18—K0).
6th row: As 2nd row.
7th row: As 5th row.
8th row: As 2nd row.
These 8 rows complete one pattern.
Continue in pattern until front from beginning measures 13½ ins (34 cm),
(14—13½ ins)(34 cm),
(16 and 18—14 ins)(36 cm)
ending with right side facing for next row.
To shape neck:
Pattern across 24 sts (14—25 sts) (16—26 sts) (18—28 sts).
Work 2tog (neck edge). Turn. Leave remaining sts on a spare needle.
Work 3 rows even in pattern.
Dec 1 st at neck edge on next then every following 4th row to 18 sts on needle
(14—20 sts) (16—19 sts) (18—21 sts).
Size 14 only:
Dec 1 st at neck edge on following 6th row. 19 sts on needle.
All sizes:
Work 5 rows (14—5 rows) (16 and 18—3 rows) even in pattern, ending with right side facing for next row.
To shape shoulder:
Cast off 6 sts (14 and 16—6 sts) (18—7 sts) beginning next then following alternate row.
Work 1 row even in pattern. Cast off remaining sts.
With right side of work facing, join yarn to remaining sts. Work 2tog (neck edge).
Pattern to end of row.
Work to correspond to other side reversing all shapings.
BACK:
Work from ** to ** as given for front.
Continue in pattern until back measures same as front to shoulder shaping ending with right side facing for next row.
To shape shoulders:
Cast off 6 sts (14 and 16—6 sts) (18—7 sts) beginning next 4 rows then 6 sts (14, 16 and 18—7 sts) beginning following 2 rows.
Cast off remaining 16 sts (14—16 sts) (16 and 18—18 sts).
SLEEVES:
With 4½ mm needles cast on 29 sts (14—29 sts) (16 and 18—31 sts)
and work 2½ ins (6 cm) in (K1, P1) ribbing as given for front ending with wrong side facing for next row.
Next row:
P5 (14—P5) (16 and 18—P3).
*M1. P9 (14—P9) (16 and 18—P6).
Repeat from * to last 6 sts (14—6 sts) (16 and 18—4 sts).
M1. Purl to end of row.
32 sts on needle (14—32 sts) (16 and 18—36 sts).
Proceed in pattern as follows:
1st row (Right side):
With 4½ mm needle, P3 (14—P3) (16 and 18—P0).
K2 (14—K2) (16 and 18—K1).
*P4, K2. Repeat from * to last 3 sts (14—3 sts) (16 and 18—5 sts).
P3 (14—P3) (16 and 18—P4).
K0 (14—K0) (16 and 18—K1).
2nd row:
With 12½ mm needle, purl all knit sts and knit all purl sts of previous row.
3rd row: As 1st row.
4th row: As 2nd row.
5th row:
With 4½ mm needle, K2 (14—K2) (16 and 18—K0).
P2 (14—P2) (16 and 18—P0).
*P2, K2, P2. Repeat from * to last 4 sts (14—4 sts) (16 and 18—0 sts).
P2 (14—P2) (16 and 18—P0).
K2 (14—K2) (16 and 18—K0).
6th row: As 2nd row.
7th row: As 5th row.
8th row: As 2nd row.
These 8 rows complete one pattern.
Continue in pattern increasing 1 st each end of needle on next then every following 8th row to 46 sts on needle (14—40 sts) (16 and 18—52 sts) taking increased sts into pattern.
Sizes 12 and 14 only:
Inc 1 st each end of every following 6th row to 48 sts on needle (14—50 sts).
All sizes:
Work 5 rows even in pattern. Cast off loosely.
NECKBAND:
See right shoulder seam.
With right side of work facing and 4½ mm needles, pick up and knit 37 sts (14, 16 and 18—39 sts) down left side of neck.
Pick up loop at center V and knit into back of loop (mark this st as center st.)
Pick up and knit 37 sts (14, 16 and 18—39 sts) up right side of neck.
Pick up and knit 22 sts (14—22 sts) (16 and 18—24 sts) across back neck.
97 sts on needle (14—101 sts) (16 and 18—103 sts).
1st row (Wrong side):
K1. *P1, K1. Repeat from * to center 5 sts.
P2tog. P1. (P2tog tbl). Rib to end of row.
2nd row:
*K1, P1. Repeat from * to center 5 sts.
P2tog. K1. (P2tog tbl). Rib to end of row.
Repeat these 2 rows twice then 1st row once.
Cast off evenly in ribbing decreasing as before.
TO MAKE UP:
Sew left shoulder and neckband seam.
Place markers on front and back side edges 8½ ins (22 cm),
(14—9 ins)(23 cm),
(16 and 18—9½ ins)(24 cm) down from shoulder seams and sew sleeves in position between markers.
Sew side and sleeve seams.
Do not press.
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