This is a set of instructions around how to knit a top-down sweater with a circular yoke, using Holly Chayes’ Shawl Geometry for an Octagon Donut Shawl as a guide. This garment is seamless and can be tried on frequently to enable you to make adjustments as you go.

While it does not contain specifics for multiple sizes, it does explain how I figured out what I needed to do for a women’s XL (43 inch bust). With a little simple math, you can too!

I knit this sweater in DK weight yarn using 3.5 mm needles for the cuffs, collar and bottom band, and 4 mm needles throughout.

The knitting is mostly stocking stitch with a mock cable rib detailing on the turtleneck, cuffs and bottom band. If you prefer a different type of ribbing, you can certainly use it.

You will need 3.5 mm and 4.0 mm circular needles and possibly double pointed needles, if you find working with very sort circular needles (or magic loop) a bother. You’ll also need eight stitch markers, scissors, a darning needle, and a soft tape measure.

Skills needed include: casting on, binding off, knit, purl, ribbing, yarn over (yo).

Also included are some tips working with the long color changes in Cascade Whirligigs.