Kersal Jumper Knitting Pattern

Kersal Knitted Sweater by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

Kersal is an intermediate-level knitted sweater designed to fit chest measurements ranging from 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) up to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches), with nine size options available. The garment features a classic pullover construction with set-in armholes, a crew neckline with a front band detail, and shaped front slope shaping for a tailored fit. The actual chest measurement of the finished garment ranges from 85.5 cm to 167.5 cm depending on size selected.

Techniques Used

This sweater employs several key knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate crafters. The construction begins with a border pattern worked over 20 rows, followed by stockinette stitch as the primary fabric throughout the body and sleeves. Shaping techniques include strategic increases and decreases worked evenly across rows to adjust stitch counts between pattern sections. The design incorporates front slope shaping with graduated decreases worked at regular intervals to create the neckline contour. Armhole shaping is achieved through cast-off stitches at the beginning of rows, and the neck finishing involves placing stitches on holders for a front band application. The pattern requires working each side of the neck separately to accommodate the asymmetrical shaping.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary fabric stitch worked throughout most of the sweater after the initial border pattern rows
• Garter Stitch or Border Pattern: A 20-row patterned border worked at the lower edge of the back and left front pieces
• Increases and Decreases: Evenly distributed increases and decreases worked across rows to shape the garment and adjust stitch counts between sections
• Cast-off Stitches: Used for armhole and neck shaping to create clean finished edges

Materials

Kersal is designed to be worked in Rowan Kid Classic yarn, a 50-gram ball weight. The yarn is photographed in the colorway Bronze 912. The pattern requires 4mm (US 6) needles and 5mm (US 8) needles, including one pair of each size plus a 4mm circular needle at least 120 cm long and two 4mm double-pointed needles for neckline and finishing work. The recommended tension is 19 stitches and 25 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using 5mm needles, which is essential for achieving the correct finished garment measurements.