Meet the cozy, oversized garment your wardrobe needs – the Plush Sweater! With a unique and seamless drop shoulder construction and thoughtful finishing details, this sweater is interesting to make and oh-so-easy to wear. It looks wonderful by itself with leggings and boots, or thrown on over a collared shirt with your favourite pair of jeans. This pattern is best suited to knitters who already have 1 or 2 brioche projects under their belts and are ready for their next skill-expanding adventure.

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) {6, 7, 8, 9}

FINISHED FULL BUST CIRCUMFERENCES
33 (37, 41.25, 45.5, 49.5) {53.5, 57.75, 61.75, 66}” / 84 (94.25, 104.75, 115.25, 125.75) {136, 146.5, 157, 167.5}cm
It is recommended to choose a size that will give you between +4” and +8” / +10cm and +20.25cm of ease at your full bust point. Sample pictured is Size 4, worn with +8” / +20.25cm of ease (on a 37.5” / 95cm full bust). If you are between sizes through the full bust point, it is recommended to choose a size based on your preferred finished upper sleeve circumference.
(Upper Sleeve Circumferences: 10.5 (11, 12, 13, 14.75) {16.75, 17.75, 19.5, 20.5}“ / 26.75 (28, 30.75, 33.25, 37.25) {42.75, 45.25, 49.25, 52}cm)

YARN
915 (1030, 1165, 1280, 1430) {1565, 1680, 1815, 1920}yds / 840 (945, 1065, 1170, 1310) {1430, 1540, 1665, 1755}m
of DK weight / 8ply yarn with good drape. Wool / silk blends, wool / bamboo blends and lofty woollen-spun yarns are particularly suited to the pattern.

Samples were knit using Bendigo Woollen Mills, Bendigo Tweed (75% wool, 15% viscose, 10% bamboo; 437yds / 400m per 200g) in colourway 592 Forest Wood (green), and Bendigo Woollen Mills, Imperial 8ply (75% wool, 20% alpaca, 5% silk; 437yds / 400m per 200g) in colourway 582 Snow Moon (grey).

NEEDLES
– US 7 / 4.5mm needle, OR size to obtain gauge, at least 32” / 80cm length circular needle, plus optional double-pointed needles for sleeves and neckband
– For three needle bind off: 1 extra US 7 / 4.5mm needle, OR size to obtain gauge, at least 32” / 80cm length circular needle
– For brioche cast ons and bind offs: US 10.5 / 6.5mm needle, OR size approximately one and a half times as large in metric diameter than size to obtain gauge, at least 32” / 80cm length circular needle

NOTIONS
– 2 lengths of waste yarn or spare interchangeable needle cables
– Removable stitch markers or progress keepers
– Scissors
– Tape measure
– Tapestry needle

GAUGE
13.5 stitches x 46 rows = 4” / 10cm square in brioche stitch, on smaller size needle, knit flat, stretched width-wise after blocking.
15 stitches x 38 rounds = 4” / 10cm square in brioche stitch, on smaller size needle, knit in the round, unstretched after blocking.
20 stitches x 27 rows = 4” / 10cm square in 1 x 1 rib stitch, on smaller size needle, knit flat, unstretched after blocking.

Both your stitch AND row gauges in brioche are important for this project. During the sections that are knit flat, any differences in your stitch gauge will impact on the length measurements of the sweater (e.g. the body length from underarm, and front neck drop) and any differences in your row gauge will impact on the width measurements of the sweater (e.g. the finished full bust circumference, and back neck width). The sleeve lengths are determined by your round gauge, and the upper sleeve and wrist circumferences are determined by your stitch gauge.

CONSTRUCTION NOTES
The Plush Sweater is worked seamlessly and sideways. Stitches for the RIGHT BACK are cast on first and worked flat from the center of the sweater back outwards, then put on hold. Stitches for the LEFT BACK are then picked up along the RIGHT BACK cast-on edge and worked flat from the center of the sweater back outwards in the opposite direction and also put on hold.

Next, stitches for the LEFT FRONT are cast on and worked from the center of the sweater front outwards, then joined to the LEFT BACK shoulder at the end of every right side row once the neckline increases are complete. The LEFT BACK stitches are then returned to the needle and the three needle bind off method is used to partly join the LEFT BACK and LEFT FRONT stitches together to form the Left Underarm Seam. The remaining live stitches are put on hold to later become the left SLEEVE stitches.

Stitches for the RIGHT FRONT are then picked up along the LEFT FRONT cast-on edge and are similarly worked from the center of the sweater front outwards in the opposite direction, then joined to the RIGHT BACK shoulder, then bound off with the RIGHT BACK stitches (returned to the needle) to form the Right Underarm Seam.

Lastly, the right and left SLEEVE stitches are each returned to the needle and knit seamlessly in the round from the upper sleeve to cuff. Stitches are picked up and knit along each of the front and back bottom edges and the knitted-on HEMS are worked flat. Stitches are picked up and knit at the neckline and the NECKBAND is added in the round.

VIDEO TUTORIAL LINKS INCLUDED IN THIS PATTERN
– Picking up and knitting stitches in your Plush Sweater project
– Seamlessly joining the shoulders of your Plush Sweater together
– Cable cast on method
– Three needle bind off method
– Bind off

Please note that knowing how to knit brioche is an assumed skill for this pattern. If you would like to learn how to work this wonderful stitch with the support of video and photo tutorials, we recommend trying the Dorian Hat or Dorian Mitts / Mittens pattern first!