Malton Sweater

Design BF007 · Bramble & Fleece Autumn/Winter Collection

The Malton Sweater is worked in Bramble & Fleece Wooltrace DK. A stocking stitch sweater with drop sleeves and a ribbed high neck creates an easy-to-wear piece you will want in every colour.

Drop shoulders mean no armhole shaping to follow, so the body is simply a long rectangle of stocking stitch above a deep rib. It is the classic beginner's first sweater, but at a fine 23-stitch tension in a crisp British Romney DK it reads as a considered wardrobe piece rather than a practice project.

At a glance

• Yarn: Bramble & Fleece Wooltrace DK — 6 (6: 7: 7: 8: 8) x 100g
• Shade photographed: Frosted Sage 304
• Needles: 3.25mm (UK 10 / US 3) and 3.75mm (UK 9 / US 5) needles, plus a 3.25mm circular needle 40cm long for the neckband
• Tension: 23 stitches and 31 rows to 10cm / 4in over stocking stitch on 3.75mm needles, once blocked
• Sizes: XS to XXL, to fit chest 71-76 to 122-127cm (28-30 to 48-50in)
• Also needed: Stitch holders and stitch markers
• Skill level: Beginner
• Format: Digital PDF download

Which yarn does the Malton Sweater use?

Malton is written for Bramble & Fleece Wooltrace DK, a 100% British Romney DK at 225m per 100g hank, traceable to the farm by QR code. Romney is a hardy longwool rather than a soft one, which makes it a sensible choice for a first sweater: it wears hard, holds its shape and shows the stitches clearly while you are learning. Depending on size you will need 6 to 8 hanks — 600g to 800g.

Is this a good first sweater?

Yes. Drop sleeves remove all armhole shaping, the body and sleeves are plain stocking stitch above a two-by-two rib, and the neckband is worked in the round at the end. You need cast on, knit, purl, rib, shoulder shaping and mattress stitch seams.

This is a digital knitting pattern supplied as a PDF download in English, with UK and US needle sizes and both metric and imperial measurements. Yarn and needles are sold separately.