The Design

“A staff favorite.”

The knitting of this pullover is straightforward—lovely fields of stockinette. But it’s the thoughtful details that add a subtle elegance! The flattering dropped shoulder creates a roomy armhole (no fabric bunching under the arm). A little short-row shaping allows the front and back hemlines to hang evenly. And the length of the straight, boxy body is easy to modify.

This version of the Better-Than-Basic Pullover is a particular favorite among our store staff. It magically suits every body! We held two strands—each a different color—of Isager Alpaca 2 together throughout. With alpaca and wool in equal measure, this yarn gives texture, drape, softness, and warmth to this classic sweater.

The Details

SIZES
This pullover is designed with lots of ease (8–10"/20–25cm), relaxed shoulders and slim sleeves in sizes XS (S, M, L, XL).

Finished bust: 42½ (46½, 50, 54½, 59)"/108 (118, 127, 138, 150)cm, after seaming.
To fit bust: 32–34 (36–38, 40–42, 44–46, 48–50)"/81–86 (91–96, 101–106, 112–117, 122–127)cm.

LENGTHS
Finished body length measured from high shoulder (where shoulder meets neck) to hem.
Hip-length version (shown here): 23¼ (23½, 24¼, 24½, 25)"/59 (60, 61, 62, 63)cm.
Center back neck to cuff: 24 (25, 26, 27, 28)"/ 61 (63, 66, 69, 71)cm.
Tunic-length version (shown on Berroco Ultra Alpaca project page): 30¼ (30½, 31¼, 31½, 32)"/76.5 (77, 79, 80, 81)cm.

YARN
Hip-length version (shown here): 5 (5, 5, 6, 6)skeins each Isager Alpaca 2 (270 yds/ 247m each) of two colors held together throughout. Shown in size X-Large, in Color E0 & E2s.

Or 9 (9, 10, 11, 12) skeins Isager Alpaca 2 (270 yds/247m each) of one color held double throughout.

Or 1100 (1200, 1300, 1400, 1500) yds/1005 (1100, 1190, 1280, 1370)m of a light-worsted-weight yarn that typically knits at 20 sts to 4"/10cm. You’ll want to open it up just a little to a finished gauge of 4½ sts per inch.

To lengthen or shorten body: Add or subtract approx. 60 (66, 70, 78, 81) yds/55 (60, 64, 70, 74)m of yarn per 1"/2.5cm of knitted length.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
Both funnel-neck version (shown here) and ribbed-neck version (shown on Berroco Ultra Alpaca project page):
US 8 (5mm) 24"/60cm circular needle or size to obtain gauge.
Rib-neck version: US 7 (4.5mm) 24"/60cm and 16"/40cm circular needle, or 1 US size/.5mm smaller than gauge size.
Funnel-neck version: 16"/40cm circular needle in gauge size; and US 6 (4mm) 24"/60cm and 16"/40cm circular needles, or 2 US sizes/1mm smaller than gauge size.
Both versions: 2 ring markers; 6 locking markers; 4 stitch holders (we like to use extra circular needles, in gauge size or smaller, so you can knit off holder from either end); darning needle to finish.

KNITTER'S NOTES
We can’t stress enough the value of a generous swatch. We like to work one that’s at least 6" x 6". And don’t skip the wet block and steam steps. Beyond checking your stitch and row gauge, you will want to look critically at the resulting fabric. Your swatch will tell you if you’ve got a nice fabric that has both drape and body.

Designed with versatility in mind, it’s well suited to all body types. Several of our staff looked great in all five sizes, from slightly fitted to very oversized; all of us looked good in at least two sizes! So instead of thinking in terms of a specific size, think about the amount of ease you want (the difference between your actual bust measurement and the actual sweater measurement).

We suggest you try on sweaters of different length to see what works for you, and then measure the length from your high shoulder (where the shoulder meets the neck) to hem and use this as your template. After you decide on the size, just personalize the sleeve length from the varying degrees of shoulder drop (the pattern tells you how).

A couple of easy modifications will result in a sweater that’s great for those of us who run warm. The neckline is designed so that the collar can be tucked in and sewn down, sitting a flattering distance away from the neck. And sleeve length can be customized to end above the wrist, making for a cooler sweater by keeping the wrist pulse points uncovered.