Long time readers here at DCD may remember that I designed the Full Heart Pullover for Kids in honor of Jackson’s 6th birthday back at the end of 2020. Knitting that sweater was such an enjoyable process – the yarn, the cables, the laidback fit. I knew that, as a knitter, I wanted to do more with those cables, so I designed the Full Heart Hat, a squishy-classic-cabled hat that I wear all the time. Well, apparently I still wasn’t done because today I’m releasing the adult version of the Full Heart Pullover!
This pullover shares the essential elements of my original design. It features the same weight of yarn (worsted), the same crew neck shaping, easy-to-knit (and easy-to-wear) modified drop sleeves, and the same tubular ribbed edges that provide that professional finish.
The only difference? Expanding that addictive cable panel to accommodate an adult range of sizes!
In fact, that might be the most satisfying part of designing this pullover for adults. This version is a timeless wardrobe essential that is also a size-inclusive, flattering unisex design for both men and women! The pattern includes 11 sizes for a range of chest circumferences between 36″ and 73″. Because it’s intended to be worn with 4-6″ of positive ease for a casual, comfy fit, this pattern works for people with chest circumferences between 30″ and 67″. I’m wearing mine with about 5″ of positive ease, which is great for wearing a thin layer underneath on the coldest days.
Another fun aspect of this design was figuring out all of the little details that give your knitting a professional, thoughtful appearance. The cable panel flows smoothly out of the hem without interrupting the ribbing. The sides of the garment feature purl-stitch panels accented by mirrored twisted cables. (These panels are a great place to add or subtract a few stitches to adjust the width of your garment, too!) The sleeves, worked in the same reverse stockinette stitch as the background of the body, give the garment a cohesive feeling and really allow the cables to stand out in relief.
The body is knit in the round from the bottom up to the armholes. The front and back are each knit flat and then seamed at the shoulders. Stitches are picked up around each armhole to work the sleeves in the round down to the cuff. The cuffs and neckband feature professional (and optional) tubular edges.
Because this design is so highly textured, I strongly recommend a mostly-solid or solid colorway of yarn, which brings me to the very special yarn that I used: Saxon Merino Worsted in “Purple Sage” by Catskill Merino. In the past at the NY Sheep and Wool festival, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with Dominique, the shepherdess at Catskill Merino who dedicates her full heart to a flock of Saxon Merino sheep in the Hudson Valley. The fleece from these sheep is spun into superfine Merino yarn that is so soft to knit with and wear, is hand-dyed in a rainbow of rich, saturated colors, and produces fabric with excellent stitch definition. The pandemic prevented the NY Sheep and Wool festival from happening in person in 2020, so I purchased this yarn during the first “virtual” Rhinebeck festival. Dominique and the other vendors went to incredible lengths to bring their wares online and show us a bit about the animals, farms, and people behind these unique yarns. When I look at this garment, it reminds me of that weekend when we didn’t let the pandemic prevent us from gathering in spirit. This is my second piece knit with this wonderful yarn (I also designed my Flint Hill Shawl using Catskill Merino’s fingering weight yarn in Clover) but it won’t be my last.
To celebrate the release of the Full Heart Pullover, the pattern is 20% off through the end of the day (EDT) on Monday, March 28th. No coupon code is needed! You can either purchase the pattern here at DCD or here on Ravelry. Thank you as always for your enthusiastic support of my ideas and I hope that you find a place in your knitting queue for your own Full Heart.
Happy knitting! xoxo Danielle
daniellechalson.com 