Sirdar Mean Streets Sweater Jumper Knitting Pattern

Sirdar Mean Streets Sweater - Design No. 10573

What is Being Made

The Sirdar Mean Streets Sweater is an advanced-level knitted pullover garment designed for knitters with substantial experience. This sweater is part of the Graffiti collection, a trend-led fashion line inspired by urban landscapes and city living. The design is available in six size options ranging from UK 6-28 (US 2-24), with chest measurements from 32/34 inches up to 52/54 inches, making it suitable for a wide range of body types.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern calls for Sirdar Stories Double Knitting (DK) yarn, a cotton-rich blend that provides a cool cotton look and feel while maintaining a lighter weight than traditional pure cotton yarns. This composition ensures that even larger garments retain their shape without becoming heavy or drooping. The sweater uses two yarn shades: Shade 839 (Silent Disco) as the primary yarn and Shade 833 (Sandy Toes) as the secondary yarn for colorwork detail. Yardage requirements vary by size, with smaller sizes requiring 6-8 balls of Yarn A and 2 balls of Yarn B, while larger sizes need up to 9 balls of Yarn A and 4 balls of Yarn B.

Knitters will need two pairs of needles: a pair of 4mm (UK size 8 / US size 6) needles for the main fabric and a pair of 3¼mm (UK size 10 / US size 6) needles for ribbed edgings. Stitch holders are also required for managing stitches during construction.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

As an advanced-level pattern, the Mean Streets Sweater incorporates multiple knitting techniques that require confident stitch work and color management. The pattern employs Double Knitting (DK weight yarn) as the foundation technique, which creates a smooth, drapable fabric suitable for fitted garments.

The design features colorwork knitting, utilizing two yarn shades to create patterned sections. This technique demands careful tension control and the ability to manage multiple colors simultaneously while maintaining consistent stitch size. The pattern uses ribbed edgings created with the smaller 3¼mm needles, which provide elasticity and a finished appearance at cuffs, neckline, and hem.

Standard knitting stitches form the basis of construction, with stitch holders employed to temporarily secure stitches during the assembly process. The sweater is constructed in pieces—back, front, and sleeves—which are then sewn together, a common approach for complex colorwork designs that allows knitters to manage the pattern more easily than working in the round.

Design Features and Sizing

The sweater offers comprehensive sizing across six distinct size brackets. Full length ranges from 21¾ inches (55 cm) for the smallest size to 25½ inches (65 cm) for the largest, with sleeve length varying slightly from 18½ inches to 19¼ inches depending on size. This attention to proportional scaling ensures appropriate fit across the full size range.

Pattern Quality and Brand Heritage

Sirdar, established in West Yorkshire in 1880, brings over a century of hand knitting expertise to this design. The company triple-checks every pattern to guarantee successful results when using the recommended Sirdar yarns, providing knitters with confidence in pattern accuracy and yarn compatibility.