Fortesse is a cozy vintage-inspired pullover with a unique shaped collar and coordinating stitch patterns. It’s a fun and somewhat spicy seamless top-down knit, and an extremely detailed pattern.

Choose from Version 1, a fitted cropped look with classic vintage waist shaping, or Version 2, with a longer hip length and more relaxed fit in the body, perfect for a vintage après-ski vibe and non-vintage fans alike!

Knit a matching Fortesse beret, for the perfect set!

Sizing

This pullover is designed to be worn with 0 – 2” / 0 – 5cm negative ease at the full bust for Version 1, and the same or less ease for Version 2.

Sizes in finished bust measurements:
31.5 (33.25, 36, 39.5) [43, 45.75, 48.5, 51] (55.5, 59, 62.75)” /
80 (84.5, 91.5, 100.5) [109, 116, 123, 129.5] (141, 150, 159.5)cm

Version 1 Goldfinch (yellow) pullover shown in size 33.25” / 84.5cm, with 2” / 5cm negative ease at bust.

Version 2 Granita (light green) shown in size 36” / 91.5cm with 1” / 2.5cm positive ease at bust.

Full schematic of all garment measurements can be downloaded here.

Full yarn requirements

Version 1 (waist shaping, more cropped length):
715 (755, 805, 875) [940, 990, 1055, 1105] (1190, 1275, 1340)yds / 655 (695, 740, 805) [860, 910, 965, 1015] (1090, 1170, 1230)m

Version 2 (no waist shaping, longer body):
785 (825, 880, 955) [1025, 1085, 1150, 1200] (1295, 1385, 1455)yds / 720 (755, 805, 875) [940, 995, 1055, 1100] (1185, 1270, 1335)m

Design Ideas section in pattern has additional yarn requirements for contrast ribbing, cuffs and collar, and for Version 1 with no waist shaping.

Yarn requirements in recommended yarn

Brooklyn Tweed Tones (140yds / 128m per 1.75oz / 50g skein)

Version 1:
6 (6, 6, 7) [7, 8, 8, 8] (9, 10, 10) skeins

Version 2:
6 (6, 7, 7) [8, 8, 9, 9] (10, 10, 11) skeins

Gauge

18 sts / 28 rnds = 4” / 10cm in Stitch Pattern using 4mm (US 6) needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions
-Stitch markers, including locking st markers
-Scrap yarn, to place sts on hold

Techniques needed

cast on, bind off, knit in the round and flat, wrap & turn short rows and German short rows (instructions provided), knit, purl, basic increases and decreases, picking up stitches, reading a basic chart.

This pattern is extremely detailed, and somewhat spicy! You’ll establish and keep track of stitch patterns while working short rows in the shoulders and the collar, and throughout neckline shaping and armhole shaping. Most sizes will work some neckline shaping and armhole shaping at the same time.

Pattern has been professionally tech edited by Brambles and Bindweed.

Want to see more? Check out the #FortessePullover hashtag on Instagram. Tag your own projects too! You can also follow me there @tashacouldmakethat.

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