Top-Down Turtleneck Cardigan, Now in Baby Fawn
Recent glimpses of spring have added pep to my step, but so has our new palette of Mulberry Merino! Glowing and full of life, these new colors transport me to spring and the jacket-free months ahead.
Saturated yet subtle, complex yet effortless, this new palette is perfectly suited for Mulberry Merino’s magical blend of extra fine merino and mulberry silk. The dye dances differently with each fiber, while the twisted plies add light and movement.
Our Top-Down Turtleneck Cardigan is just right for celebrating these new colors and for replacing that winter coat. Worked top-down, its knit-in saddle shoulder construction will delight you as much as the yarn, whichever color your choose! -Laura
Update: New Yarns
October 15 2021
Because we love options, we knit up this classic pattern in two versions: one in our super light and cozy Brume, a blend of wool, mohair, and silk, and one in 100% undyed Andean highland Good Wool, a wonderfully natural choice. See the new versions here!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoTopDownTurtleneckCardigan. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
In addition to a Purl Soho Top-Down Turtleneck Cardigan Pattern, you’ll need…
- 5 (5, 6, 7, 8, 8) skeins of Purl Soho’s Mulberry Merino, 80% Extra Fine Merino Wool, 20% Mulberry Silk; approximately 1100 (1235, 1482, 1729, 1853, 1976) total yards required. We used the color Baby Fawn. (NOTE: We no longer offer Mulberry Merino, but choose from one of our other sport weight yarns.)
- US 5 (3.75mm), 16-inch circular needles
- US 5, 32-inch circular needles
- Set of US 5 double pointed needles
- 4 stitch markers
- Stitch holders or scrap yarn
- 9 (10, 10, 10, 11, 11) ½-inch buttons. We used Purl Soho’s Petal Buttons in the color Gold.
Gauge
25 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Sizes
NOTE For help picking a size, please check out our Understanding Ease + Selecting Size Tutorial!
31 (35, 38 ¾, 42 ½, 46 ½, 51)
To fit actual chest circumference of 25-28 (29-32, 33-36, 37-40, 41-44, 45-48) inches, with 3-6 inches of ease.
- Finished Chest Circumference: 31 (35, 38 ¾, 42 ½, 46 ½, 51) inches, buttoned
- Finished Length from Shoulder to Bottom Edge: 21 ¾ (22 ½, 23 ½, 24 ¼, 25 ¾, 26 ¼) inches
- Finished Length from Underarm to Bottom Edge: 12 ¼ (12 ¼, 12 ¾, 12 ¾, 13 ¼, 13 ¼) inches
- Finished Length from Underarm to Cuff: 15 (15, 15 ½, 15 ½, 15 ¾, 15 ¾) inches
SAMPLE: The sweater pictured here is size 42½, modeled with 6½ inches of ease.
Pattern
The Top-Down Turtleneck Cardigan Pattern is available for purchase as either a hard copy or download.
This is such a great sweater! What size is your model and what size is she wearing? I’m wondering how much positive ease is built into the pattern. Thanks, Anne
Hi Anne,
Thanks for the lovely comment! The model’s chest size is 36″ and the sample is shown in size 42.5″. This means that there is 6.5″ of positive ease. Hope this helps!
-Adam
Could I use the mulberry merino for the Purl Soho Pullover, which is a similar pattern?
Hi Bonnie,
Thanks for writing in! Our Mulberry Merino and Worsted Twist come in at fairly different gauges. The Mulberry Merino yields roughly 5.5 – 6.5 stitches per inch and out Worsted Twist yields roughly 4.5 – 5 stitches per inch. For the Purl Soho Pullover, Mulberry Merino would not make a good substitute as it would require reworking the pattern to use a smaller yarn. If you would like to knit the Purl Soho Pullover using an alternate yarn, I would suggest looking for a worsted weight yarn that comes in at 4.5-5 stitches per inch.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
This is such a great sweater/cardigan. I am wondering how much positive ease is built into the pattern. What size is your model and what size cardigan is she wearing? Thanks, Anne
Hi Anne,
Thanks for writing in! For this pattern we suggest 3-6 inches of positive ease. To select your size, you will take your bust measurement and add 3-6 inches and select the nearest size. The sweater pictured here is size 42½, modeled with 6½ inches of ease. That is to say that the model’s chest measurement is 36″.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Is this pattern reversible? i’d like to purchase it to knit with buttons in the back.
Hi Inna,
Thanks for the question! This pattern is not reversible because there are short rows at the back neckline. Sorry about that!
-Adam
I am trying to make your Lightweight Raglan Pullover of Linen Quill. The cording stitch was impossible to do correctly as I couldn’t identify the purl nub on the back. I discarded my perfectionism and did my best. Not very pretty. Next the Wrp-t and ensuing pick-up. Managed to cure most of the mistakes BUT the hemline is rolling up from the bottom and I am ready to complete the body. None of your samples show rolling. We all know, once it rolls, it NEVER stops. Please advise. Surely you didn’t block before each photo? I have been so eager to do this sweater and now am so disappointed.
Please,
Joan Thompson
Hi Joan,
Thanks for writing us! Blocking is key with Linen Quill and I hope you’ll block the finished piece in warm water and soap and let dry flat. This will surely fix all problems with curling. Thanks!
-Adam
I’m coming to the end of this sweater and have really enjoyed the pattern, and absolutely love the mulberry merino! The only issue is that the bottom is curling a lot. Will it relax once it has been blocked? What blocking method would you recommend for this sweater?
Also, will mulberry merino pile?
Thank you so much!
Hi,
I love this sweater. I’ve never knitted a sweater. How is this pattern for a beginner?
Thanks,
Margot
Hi Margot,
Thanks for writing in! According to the Craft and Yarn Council, this sweater would be classified as “Advanced”, but that is only because there are a couple/few short rows to shape the back of the shoulders. Discounting that portion of the pattern, I would personally call it advanced beginner to intermediate.
The shaping is done along 4 stitch markers, there’s a built-in, slip-stitch button bands which is easy as can be and there’s a fun technique used at the underarms that eliminates the need for kitchener (for graft the side body to the sleeves).
The one thing you do have to remember to do is make button holes every so often, sometimes that’s easy to forget once you’re cruising along in stockinette.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I would love to knit this sweater! Is there a non wool ( no animal fiber) alternative you could suggest?
Thanks!
Hi Carol,
Thanks for writing in! For this sweater we used a DK/Sport weight yarn. For an alternative that contains no animal fibers,Thanks for writing in and our apologies for the delay! For this sweater we used a DK/Sport weight yarn. For an alternative that contains no animal fibers, I would suggest using our Cotton Pure. It knits up at a similar gauge. I would definitely suggest knitting up a gauge swatch but I do think that it will work well!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Thanks Cassy-that looks like a beautiful yarn!
I am currently trying to swatch this in cotton pure and I can not come close to the gauge. I am at 26 1/2 stitches for 4″ on size five needles unblocked. I am afraid that if I go up to size six, the stitches are going to be too loose. They already feel too loose on the fives. Help!
Hi Vincenza,
Thanks for writing in! I would certainly suggest blocking your swatch and measuring it again. If you indeed are still not getting 25 stitches over 4 inches, you will need to go up a needle size. The fabric should be quite nice at this gauge. We did just come out with a sweater using Cotton Pure where our gauge is 24 stitches over 4 inches and the fabric is quite lovely for a sweater!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hi. I’ve just finished this sweater but upon blocking it, the neck, where it joins the shoulders is pretty wide & sags. Also, the shoulder to armpit distance gives the sweater a batwing look when I wear it. Can you tell me if that’s the way the sweater was designed. When I look at the picture of your model, I realize the neck width at the shoulder does sag a little. I can’t tell about the upper arm area because she has her arms clasped behind her.
I tried to reblock it & I’m ending up with the same thing.
Hello Cyndy,
Thank you for reaching out! The neck is meant to be pretty wide. One thing you could check is your gauge. If you have a larger gauge than intended it could exaggerate the width of the neck and shoulders. This might give you some answers. We also have some additional photos of the sweater knit up in a different color on the original post that might give you further insight into the fit of the sweater.
I hope this is helpful and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Beginning knitter here. Would this pattern be too difficult for the likes of me? (I’ve knit from the top down sweaters with raglan sleeves before…)
Thanks so much, it’s gorgeous.
Hi Caroline,
Thanks for reaching out! Although our cardigan is a bit more complicated than a standard top down sweater, I think it could be a good project to add a few more skills to your repertoire! The saddle shoulders are spaced a bit differently than a raglan, but are constructed in a fairly similar manner. In addition to the increases to shape the shoulders and yoke, you will simultaneously be working a rolled edge at the front of the cardigan and working buttonholes. I think it will be very manageable for you!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Is there another yarn I could knit this in? I’m looking for something super soft.
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for writing in! I think Mulberry Merino is actually one of our softest yarns! It has a wonderful slight halo and shine, and the merino we use is super soft and cozy. If you prefer, both Season Alpaca and Anzula Cricket would also be the correct weight for this pattern and are both buttery soft and really pleasant to wear!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Hello,
This sweater is next on my list to knit :). I do have one question about the pattern: Is it knit with 1 yarn or holding 2 yarns together? I’m not too fond of knitting with 2 yarns held together.
Thanks!
Anjali
Hi Anjali,
Thanks for reaching out! This sweater is knit with 1 yarn, a single strand!
All the best,
Gianna
hi i love this sweater can i use an anny blatt angora i have inheritted?
Hi Hadsaah,
Thanks for writing in! You could certainly use angora yarn for this project as long as it is a sprot weight yarn to ensure you are consistent with the pattern! I recommend working a gauge swatch before beginning so you will know if you need to make any adjustments to the pattern.
Warmly,
Gianna