Stripes & Solid Sweater Pattern—Part 2: Body, Sleeves, & Neckline

 Welcome back to the Stripes & Solids Sweater! Last week we finished the yoke and left our stitches waiting on the needles. This time we’re ready to join for the body and keep things rolling.

You can find Part 1 here for the yoke section and everything you need to get started.

—Body—

Join the front and back yoke to form the body as follows:

Knit across the 111 (117) 122 (129) 134 (139) front sts, CO 1 (1) 2 (1) 0 (1) sts for the underarm using the backwards-loop method, knit across the 111 (117) 122 (129) 134 (139) back sts, then CO 1 (1) 2 (1) 0 (1) sts for the second underarm using the same method.

There are now 224 (236) 248 (260) 268 (280) sts on the needle for the body.

Join in the round, place a marker for the beginning of the round, and continue working in stockinette stitch until the body measures 20 (20.5) 21.25 (22) 22.75 (23.5)” mid back from the cast-on edge.

Work 2x2 ribbing in the round as follows: k2, p2. 

Continue for 24 rounds, or until the ribbing measures approximately 3 inches.

Bind off using the Italian bind-off for 2x2 ribbing. (Video tutorial here—I used the second technique shown.)

—Sleeves—

Using either DPNs or circular needles with the Magic Loop method, work the sleeves as follows:

Beginning at the underarm, pick up 90 (90) 96 (100) 100 (106) sts evenly around the armhole—about 2 sts for every 3 rows along the armhole edge and 1 st for every underarm cast-on stitch. 

Join to work in the round and place a marker for the beginning of the round.

Work in the round in stockinette stitch, decreasing every 6th (6th) 5th (5th) 5th (4th) round as follows: 

K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.

Continue until you have 52 (56) 56 (56) 56 (60) sts and the sleeve measures about 14.5 (14.5) 14.25 (14.25) 14 (14)” from the underarm.

Work 2x2 ribbing in the round as follows: k2, p2. Continue for 22 rounds, or until the ribbing measures approximately 2.75 inches.

Bind off using the Italian bind-off for 2x2 ribbing (tutorial linked above).

—Neckline—

Using 3.5 mm (US 4) circular needles, pick up stitches evenly around the neckline, making sure the total number of stitches is divisible by 4.

Work 2x2 ribbing in the round as follows: k2, p2. 

Continue for 24 rounds, or until the ribbing measures approximately 3 inches.

Fold the ribbing to the inside and knit it together with the neckline edge to finish (tutorial here).

—Finishing—

Weave in all ends. Block your sweater to measurements and let it dry completely before adding the duplicate stitch graphics—it’ll even everything out and make it easier to stitch on your design.

That's it for the knitting! Part 3 will be up next Friday and cover the pool ball graphics so you can bring your pool table to life.  

Once again, if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment! 

→ Next: Stripes & Solids Sweater Pattern—Part 3: Graphics