I’m allowed to have favorite patterns, right?
Because this one really, really might be mine…

When I sat down to design this, I wanted stripes - but not your average stripes, and I feel like Harvey has absolutely delivered on my wish!

These stripes are a bit delicate, but also kind of bold and fun, and depending on your color choice they could be subtle or modern or classic or vibrant - or anything else you make them!

The trick in this design was pairing simple lace, a background of ribbed fabric, and stripes of color. The textures created by the ribs and the lace just make my basic stripes into something much more interesting. The actual motif is quite simple to work, but that little “dip” in the upper stripe and the overall scallop effect created make a gorgeous fabric, and some serious potato chip knitting.

I used a drop shoulder to really highlight the stripes, and from there, I set out to create a classic pullover. The silhouette is simple and easy to wear. Sleeves are generous, but not too loose - and the length is short, but not at all cropped. I added an open crew neck with a deep, ribbed collar, and paid attention to all the small finishing details so transitions are neat and easy.

Of course, the ribbed hem is designed to play into the lace pattern on the body, and there are side panels under each arm where you can easily adjust the fit if you want. There are notes in the pattern on making all sorts adjustments to the sweater, and the lace is both charted and written.

The whole vibe here feels very vintage and retro 70s to me, so we went with a disco era cocktail - the Harvey Wallbanger! You may not want to drink one, but you can’t deny it’s fun to say.

And it really IS fun to knit. Stay tuned for a few more patterns using this motif as the spring continues along, because I just don’t want to stop knitting these stripes. I may already have another Wallbanger themed pattern in testing, and a third on the needles.

Construction
Harvey Wallbanger is knit flat in pieces from the bottom up. Pieces are seamed together once complete, and seams are all straight and easy to line up, so don’t be worried. Collar stitches are picked up and worked in the round once shoulders are seamed.

Sizes
36.75(40,43.75,48.5,52.5)(55.75,61,64.75,68)” 93.5(101.5,111.25,123.25,133.5)(141.5,155,164.5,172.75)cm
Sizes reflect seamed sweater circumference around bust, and are based on final, blocked fabric.

For the fit shown, choose the size that allows for 4-6”/10-15.25 cm of positive ease, based on your bust. Sweater shown with about 5”/12.75 cm of ease on Samm.

Yardage Needed by Size
800(900,1050,1150,1250)(1350,1450,1550,1650)yds
735(825,960,1055,1145)(1235,1325,1415,1510)m
of background color needed.

150(200,225,225,250)(250,275,275,300)yds
135(185,205,205,230)(230,250,250,275)m
each of 2 stripe colors needed.

All yardage estimates are rounded up and contain around 10% buffer, so if you have a little less yarn than noted, chances are you will be just fine.

Sample shown in Nest Worsted.
Background worked in Twilight Dark, Stripe 1 in Magpie (blue) and Stripe 2 in Bougie Beaver (pink)

To make a solid color version, add your background and both stripe yardages together.

Yarn Thoughts
My sweater is worked in Nest Worsted from Magpie Fibers. As a non-superwash wool, it adds the subtlest rustic quality to my fabric, but also offers fantastic stitch definition for the lace. The Corriedale wool is round and soft and light, and a dream to work with.

For just a touch more polish, and maybe a bit more saturated mix of colors, Magpie’s Quartet Worsted is a great option as well. As a superwash fiber, it’s a bit smoother and the colors are deep and vibrant. It’s also got fantastic stitch definition and a gorgeous round worsted weight wool for this.

If substituting another yarn, you need a round worsted weight wool with enough memory to hold its shape in lace. Nothing too heavy or drapey that may grow over time. I also suggest a solid or semi solid colorway for the background to allow the rib and lace texture to show up in your fabric. Make sure your stripe colors stand out against one another, as well as against the background.