Willow & Lark En Plein Air Roll Neck Knitting Pattern

Willow & Lark En Plein Air Roll Neck

What Is Being Made

The En Plein Air Roll Neck is a slouch roll neck sweater from the Willow & Lark Impressionists Collection. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a relaxed-fit pullover sweater with a distinctive slouchy roll neck collar. The design is available in five sizes, ranging from bust measurements of 81–86 cm (32–34 in) through to 122–127 cm (48–50 in), with finished lengths between 70–74 cm (27½–29¼ in). The sweater features set-in sleeves with lengths ranging from 55–57 cm (21½–22½ in) depending on size.

Techniques Used

This sweater is constructed using bottom-up seamed construction, meaning the body and sleeves are knitted separately from the lower edge upward, then sewn together. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier colorwork management. The design incorporates striped patterning throughout, creating visual interest using multiple yarn colors in a coordinated sequence. This technique-driven approach makes it suitable for knitters with intermediate experience who are comfortable managing color changes and seaming techniques.

Stitches and Pattern Details

The pattern is worked primarily in stockinette stitch, the fundamental knit stitch that creates the smooth, classic sweater fabric. The roll neck is created by working additional rows that naturally curl to form the slouchy collar effect. The striped pattern is achieved by alternating between different yarn colors at specified intervals throughout the body and sleeves. The pattern includes standard abbreviations such as knit (K), purl (P), increase (inc), and decrease (dec) stitches, along with instructions for working pattern repeats and managing yarn changes. The tension is critical to the fit: 11 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 in) when measured over pattern using yarn doubled and 6.00 mm needles.

Materials and Yarn

The En Plein Air Roll Neck uses two distinct yarn types from Willow & Lark, both in DK weight. The primary yarn is Willow & Lark Poetry, a blend of 60% Merino Wool, 30% Microfibre, and 10% Camel, available in 50 g balls. The main color is Clotted Cream (A), requiring 14–16 balls depending on size. Accent colors are provided by Willow & Lark Ramble, a 100% Wool DK yarn in 50 g balls, used in four coordinating shades: Fossil (B), Country Blue (C), Straw (D), and Dove (E). Ramble yarn is used in smaller quantities, ranging from 2–4 balls per color depending on size, allowing for the striped colorwork design.

Tools Required

This project requires 6.00 mm (UK 4, US 10) knitting needles—one pair of straight needles for working the main garment pieces flat. Additionally, a 6.00 mm circular knitting needle or set of four double-pointed needles is needed for working the roll neck in the round. A tension swatch of at least 12 cm (5 in) square should be knitted before beginning to ensure the finished garment matches the intended dimensions and fit.