Beechmast is inspired by the turning leaves and fallen nuts from beech trees in the autumn. It has a classic drop-shoulder silhouette, worked from the top down. Both front and back have wide columns of cables that travel to create a V shape, enclosing a panel of moss stitch at the centre.

Stitches are cast on for the back, which is worked down to the underarms, then stitches are picked up for the front and worked similarly. Front and back are joined and the body is worked in the round to the hem, when front and back are again worked separately for a split hem. The neck is finished with a double neckband that’s folded over and stitched down. The sleeves are picked up, short rows are worked at the top to shape the sleeve cap, then are worked in the round from the top down with decreases to taper them along the length.

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Measurements:
Finished chest circumference: 79 (90, 101.5, 114.5, 126) 139, 150, 163.5, 174.5, 188 cm 
31.5 (36, 40.25, 45.75, 50.25) 55.5, 60, 65.25, 69.75, 75”
Total body length: 50 (52.5, 55, 55, 57.5) 60, 62.5, 65, 65, 67.5 cm
20 (21, 22, 22, 23) 24, 25, 26, 26, 27”
Cross-back width: 38.5 (44, 49.5, 56, 62) 68.5, 74, 80.5, 86, 93 cm
15.25 (17.5, 19.75, 22.5, 24.5) 27.25, 29.5, 32.25, 34.5, 37”
Armhole depth: 19 (20, 21.5, 22.5, 24.5) 27, 29, 31, 33, 35 cm
7.5 (7.75, 8.5, 8.75, 9.75) 10.75, 11.5, 12.25, 13, 13.75”
Upper sleeve circumference: 35.5 (38, 41, 42, 46.5) 52, 56.5, 61, 64.5, 69 cm
14.25 (15, 16.5, 17, 18.75) 21, 22.75, 24.5, 25.75, 27.5”
Wrist circumference: 20 (20, 22, 22, 24.5) 24.5, 26.5, 26.5, 29, 31 cm
8 (8, 9, 9, 9.75) 9.75, 10.75, 10.75, 11.5, 12.5”
Sleeve length from underarm: 53 (52, 51.5, 51.5, 48) 48, 46.5, 46, 43, 43 cm
21 (20.5, 20.25, 20.25, 19) 19, 18.25, 18.25, 17, 17”

The sample shown is size 2 worn with 4 cm / 1.5” positive ease at widest point of chest.

Yarn: John Arbon Textiles Appledore Aran (aran weight, 167 m per 100 g skein)
5 (6, 7, 7, 8) 9, 9, 10, 11, 12 skeins or
790 (890, 1015, 1110, 1230) 1360, 1505, 1635, 1750, 1905 m
865 (975, 1110, 1215, 1345) 1485, 1645, 1790, 1915, 2085 yd

The sample shown uses the shade Fallen Leaf, which is a limited edition I designed specifically for this pattern.

Gauge: 18 sts and 24 rounds = 10 cm / 4” in stockinette and moss stitch on larger needle, after blocking

Needles:
4 mm / US 6 circular needle (or needle 1–2 sizes smaller than main needle)
5 mm / US 8 circular needle (or size required to obtain correct gauge)

Notions: Stitch markers, scrap yarn or stitch holders, darning needle for sewing in ends.