Tahki Yarns Comfort Top-Down Turtleneck Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Comfort Top-Down Turtleneck

What is Being Made

The Comfort Top-Down Turtleneck is a classic pullover sweater designed by Pam Grushkin, featuring a cozy turtleneck collar and a fitted silhouette. This garment is available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 40 inches (101.5 cm) to 58¾ inches (149 cm) and lengths from 23¼ inches (59 cm) to 29 inches (73.5 cm). The sweater offers a versatile wardrobe staple suitable for layering or wearing as a standalone piece.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques that create both structure and visual interest:

• Top-Down Construction: The sweater is knitted from the neck downward, allowing for easy customization of length and fit before completing the garment.
• Worked in the Round: The majority of the sweater is constructed using circular needles, creating seamless fabric and eliminating the need for seaming.
• Striped Pattern: Horizontal stripes add visual dimension and design detail throughout the sweater.
• Raglan Shaping: Strategic increases at raglan lines (marked with stitch markers) create the sleeve cap shaping and ensure proper fit across the shoulders.
• Cable Cast-On: A special cast-on technique is used to create a sturdy, flexible edge for the neckline.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches executed with precision:

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch throughout the sweater, created by alternating knit and purl rows (or knit rounds when working circularly), producing a smooth, classic fabric with a V-shaped texture on the right side.
• Knit and Purl: Basic stitches used in combination to create the stockinette base and any textural variations.
• Make 1 Left (M1L) and Make 1 Right (M1R): Invisible increase stitches worked by lifting the strand between needles and knitting through the back loop, creating symmetrical shaping at the raglan lines without visible holes.
• Knit 2 Together (K2tog): A decrease stitch used for shaping when necessary.

Materials

The Comfort Top-Down Turtleneck is designed to be knitted with Tahki Yarns CALYPSO, a blend of 60% wool and 40% acrylic that provides warmth, durability, and easy care. The yarn comes in 3.5-ounce (100-gram) balls, each containing 184 yards (170 meters). Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 4 balls for the Small size to 7 balls for the 2X and 3X sizes. The pattern specifies color #07 Woodlands.

Needles required include one size 13 (9mm) circular needle measuring 32 inches (80 cm) long for the main body, one size 11 (8mm) circular needle measuring 16 inches (40 cm) long for the turtleneck ribbing, and one set of size 13 (9mm) double-pointed needles (dpns) for working the sleeves. Additional supplies include smooth waste yarn for stitch holders, stitch markers for tracking raglan increases, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 12 stitches and 17 rounds measured over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch using the larger needle size. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished sweater matches the intended measurements.