Spud & Chloe by Blue Sky Fibers Charlie Sweater Knitting

Spud & Chloe Charlie Sweater

What is Being Made

The Charlie Sweater is a classic pullover design available in five sizes ranging from extra small to extra large. This knitted sweater features a crew neckline and is worked in a combination of stockinette stitch and a decorative broken chevron pattern. The finished measurements span from 37¾ inches in the chest for the smallest size up to 51¾ inches for the largest size, with corresponding length measurements from 25½ inches to 27½ inches. Sleeve length options range from 19 inches to 21 inches, allowing for customization based on personal preference and fit requirements.

Techniques Used

The Charlie Sweater is constructed using seamed, flat knitting techniques, meaning the main body pieces are worked flat on needles and then seamed together rather than being worked in the round as a single piece. The pattern incorporates several intermediate knitting techniques including increases and decreases for shaping. Specific shaping methods include make-one-right (M1-R) increases and slip-slip-knit (ssk) decreases to achieve proper garment fit and silhouette. The sweater begins with a ribbed cuff and neckline worked in the round using double-pointed needles, which is then transitioned to flat stockinette stitch work for the main body sections.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch throughout most of the sweater, creating a smooth, classic fabric with knit stitches on the right side and purl stitches on the wrong side
• Ribbing: Used for the cuffs and neckline, worked in a five-stitch repeat pattern alternating knit and purl stitches to create elasticity and a fitted finish
• Broken Chevron Chart Pattern: A decorative stitch pattern incorporated into the body of the sweater, worked from a provided chart for visual interest and texture variation
• Slip-Slip-Knit (ssk): A left-leaning decrease technique used for shaping the armholes and other areas requiring decreases
• Make-One-Right (M1-R): An increase technique used to add stitches while maintaining clean, invisible increases throughout the garment construction

Materials and Tools

The Charlie Sweater pattern requires Spud & Chloe yarn in two colors: the main color (MC) shown in Manatee #7525 and a contrasting color (CC) in Pollen #7508. Knitting needles needed include a Size 8 (5mm) circular needle for the larger gauge sections and a Size 8 (5mm) set of double-pointed needles for working ribbed sections in the round. Additional supplies include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and construction points, waste yarn for holding stitches during assembly, and a tapestry needle for seaming the finished pieces together. The pattern is worked to a gauge of 17 stitches and 24 rows equaling 4 inches in stockinette stitch, which is essential to achieve the correct finished measurements.