Churchmouse Studio Funnel Neck Pullover in Rowan Felted Tweed

Churchmouse Studio Funnel Neck Pullover in Rowan Felted Tweed

What Is Being Made

The Funnel Neck Pullover is a refined, boxy knit sweater designed as a versatile year-round staple. This pullover features a distinctive funnel neckline and is offered in multiple versions: a sleeveless option that drops neatly off the shoulders, and a three-quarter length sleeved version that stays comfortably out of the way. The garment is described as akin to a favorite sweatshirt but more refined, making it suitable for layering or wearing standalone. The design accommodates various sizes and can be crafted in different fiber types, from cozy tweeds like Rowan Felted Tweed to cooler plant-based fibers.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several specialized techniques to achieve its polished construction. The pattern utilizes a provisional cast-on method worked with waste yarn and a gauge needle, allowing for a sophisticated finishing approach. A hem facing is worked from the provisional cast-on to a turning row, with the outer layer brought up from behind and knitted together with live stitches to form a double-layer hem. The pattern includes a clip and turn (C&T) special technique for shaping and construction details. The garment requires wet blocking after completion, with specific instructions to allow the swatch and finished pieces to dry thoroughly and rest for proper gauge and fit assessment.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Funnel Neck Pullover is primarily constructed in stockinette stitch (St St), which creates the smooth, refined fabric characteristic of the design. The pattern incorporates several essential knitting stitches and techniques:

• K (knit) and P (purl) stitches form the foundation of the stockinette fabric
• K2Tog (knit 2 stitches together) and P2Tog (purl 2 stitches together) for decreasing
• KFB (knit into the front then back of same stitch) for increasing
• M1L (make one, left-slanting increase) and M1R (make one, right-slanting increase) for invisible increases
• Sl (slip) stitches for various construction purposes
• Ch (chain) stitches as referenced in the glossary

Stitch markers (PM/RM) are used throughout to track pattern sections and shaping points. The pattern provides instructions for the smallest size with modifications noted for larger sizes, ensuring proper fit across multiple garment dimensions.

Materials: Yarn, Needles, and Tools

The Funnel Neck Pullover is designed to be worked in Rowan Felted Tweed or similar yarn weights and fiber types. The pattern accommodates both warm tweed options and cooler plant-fiber alternatives, offering flexibility in yarn selection based on desired season and aesthetic. Essential tools include knitting needles appropriate to the chosen yarn weight for achieving the correct gauge, a gauge needle for provisional cast-on work, and waste yarn for the provisional cast-on method. Blocking supplies are necessary for the wet-blocking finishing process, including pins and a flat drying surface. The pattern emphasizes the critical importance of swatching for gauge—knitters must create a swatch approximately 6 inches (15 centimeters) wide in stockinette stitch and measure both unblocked and blocked gauges, as gauge may change after the yarn relaxes or bounces back during the blocking process. Accurate gauge is essential for proper fit, as stitch gauge determines overall fit while row gauge affects the length of the finished garment.