Willow & Lark Phoebe Sweater Knitting Pattern

Willow & Lark Phoebe Sweater

What is Being Made

The Phoebe Sweater is a knitted pullover designed as part of the Heath Solids Collection by Willow & Lark. This garment is available in eight sizes, ranging from 30–32 inches to 54–56 inches chest circumference, making it suitable for a wide range of body types. The finished sweater features a classic pullover silhouette with set-in sleeves and a crew neckline. Back width measurements range from 51 cm (20 inches) for the smallest size to 80.5 cm (31¾ inches) for the largest, while the length to back neck varies from 64 cm (25¼ inches) to 76 cm (30 inches) depending on size. Sleeve length ranges from 43–46 cm (17–18 inches) across all sizes.

Techniques Used

The Phoebe Sweater is constructed using a bottom-up method, meaning the body and sleeves are knitted from the lower edges upward toward the shoulders and neckline. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for straightforward shaping and pattern work. The finished pieces are then seamed together using mattress stitch or a similar seaming technique to create a polished, professional finish. This construction method is ideal for incorporating stitch patterns and cables while maintaining precise fit and shaping throughout the garment.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Phoebe Sweater features cable stitches as a primary design element. The pattern includes two main cable techniques: C4B (cable 4 back), which involves slipping 2 stitches onto a cable needle and placing it at the back of the work before knitting 2 stitches, then knitting the 2 stitches from the cable needle; and C4F (cable 4 front), which follows the same principle but with the cable needle placed at the front of the work. These cables create dimensional, twisted textures across the sweater. The garment also incorporates stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) as a base fabric, which provides a smooth, classic knitted surface. Additionally, a twist stitch pattern is used in specific sections, adding visual interest and texture variation. The pattern repeat measures 6.5 cm (2½ inches) wide, allowing for balanced, repeating design elements across the width of the garment.

Materials and Tools

The Phoebe Sweater is knitted using Willow & Lark Heath Solids yarn in the colorway Logan Berry 06. Yarn quantities vary by size, ranging from 11 balls (50g/1¾oz each) for the smallest size to 19 balls for the largest size, providing sufficient yardage for the complete sweater. The pattern requires two pairs of knitting needles: 3.25mm (US 3) needles for ribbed edgings and 4mm (US 6) needles for the main fabric. Tension is critical for achieving the correct finished measurements: 21 stitches and 28 rows over a 10 cm (4 inch) square in stocking stitch using 4mm needles, or 23 stitches and 29 rows over the same area when working the twist stitch pattern. A cable needle is essential for executing the cable stitches that define the sweater's visual character.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to expand their technical repertoire. The intermediate classification reflects the inclusion of cable work, which requires familiarity with cable needle techniques and the ability to read and execute more complex stitch patterns. Knitters should be comfortable with basic increases and decreases, seaming techniques, and maintaining consistent tension across different stitch types. The bottom-up, flat construction method provides a logical framework that helps manage complexity, while the detailed abbreviations and size-specific instructions support successful completion across multiple garment sizes.