The Jo Sweater aka ‘the one for the husband’ is a simple, classic raglan sweater with tapered sleeves. The sweater is knitted seamlessly in the round, from top to bottom. The neck, hem and cuffs are worked in a 1x1 rib stitch. The rest of the sweater is worked in stockinette stitch. German Short Rows are used to shape the shoulders and neckline. Stitches are bound off using the Italian bind off technique. To ensure that the neckline doesn’t stretch over time, you can sew in a thin elastic thread along the edge.

This is my very first sweater design for men, and I’ve been eager to add a stylish, classic men’s sweater to my collection for quite some time. You could think of it as the “masculine” counterpart to the Grace Sweater.

Since this is my debut men’s design, I couldn’t resist naming it after my soulmate. My husband Jo, my greatest supporter, has always been my rock. Without him, Adorable Knits wouldn’t exist. This sweater is my heartfelt way of saying “thank you” in the ‘knitting language’ :slightly_smiling_face:

The Jo Sweater is an oversized sweater with a positive ease of approx. 5.5 - 9 cm 2.25 - 3.5 inches compared to the body bust circumference. The sizes XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL) correspond to a bust circumference (of the body) of approx. 81.5 (89) 99 (109) 119 (129.5) 139.5 (149) cm 32 (35) 39 (43) 46.75 (51) 55 (58.75) inches respectively. Keep in mind that the final measurements of the sweater already take these extra 5.5 - 9 cm 2.25 - 3.5 inches into account. Ease is a personal preference. Take the necessary measurements to determine the right size before you start knitting.

Level of difficulty: beginner to intermediate

Sizes:
XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL)

Chest circumference: finished sweater:
90.5 (97) 107.5 (116) 126.5 (137) 146.5 (154.5) cm 35.75 (38.25) 42.25 (45.75) 49.75 (54) 57.75 (60.75) inches

Length: measured at center back, excl. neck, incl. hem:
69 (70) 71 (72) 74 (76) 78 (78) cm
27.25 (27.5) 28 (28.25) 29.25 (30) 30.75 (30.75) inches

Body circumference:at the end of the body after working decreases, just before the hem:
86.5 (92.5) 103 (111.5) 120 (130.5) 140 (148.5) cm 34 (36.5) 40.5 (44) 47.25 (51.5) 55 (58.5) inches

Sleeve length: measured under the armhole opening, incl. cuff:
43 (44.5) 46 (48.5) 49.5 (50.5) 50.5 (47.5) cm
17 (17.5) 18 (19) 19.5 (20) 20 (18.75) inches

Sleeve circumference: measured at armhole opening:
34.5 (36) 39 (43) 44.5 (48) 50.5 (52.5) cm
13.5 (14.25) 15.25 (17) 17.5 (19) 20 (20.75) inches

Sleeve circumference: measured after working decreases, just before the cuff:
25.5 (25.5) 27.5 (27.5) 29.5 (29.5) 31.5 (31.5) cm
10 (10) 10.75 (10.75) 11.5 (11.5) 12.5 (12.5) inches

Yoke depth: measured from center back to underarm cast-on edge, excl. neck:
24.5 (25) 26 (26.5) 28 (31) 32 (33.5) cm
9.75 (9.75) 10.25 (10.5) 11 (12.25) 12.5 (13.25) inches

Gauge: 10 x 10 cm 4 x 4 inches: after blocking
in stockinette stitch (in the round): 19 sts x 27 rounds with needles 4 mm US 6.
Rib stitch (in the round): 20 sts x 27 rounds with needles 3 mm US 2.5

Needles:
Circular needles 4 & 3 mm, 3.5 mm / cable lengths 40, 60 and/or 80, 100 cm US 6 & 2.5, 4 / cable length 16, 24, and/or 32, 40 inches.
A tapestry needle.

Suggested yarn:
‘Loch Lomond’ from BC GARN (50 g - 150 m):
350 (350-400) 400 (400) 400-450 (450) 450-500 (500-550) g

NOTE about suggested yarn:
The above quantities of yarn are for the sweater with measurements as given in pattern. If you prefer a longer sweater for example, make sure you have more yarn. In my experience, the Loch Lomond quality knits up particularly economically. So you can’t use the above quantities as a guide for determining the amount of yarn needed in any other quality. Use the guidelines below in this case:

If you want to use another yarn or yarn combo, you will need approx. 1200 (1200) 1350 (1500) 1500 (1650) 1800 (1800) m of yarn. You can always check the Ravelry page of this pattern to see which yarn or yarn combos other knitters have already used (including my testknitters).

Alternative yarn suggestions as recommended by my testknitters:

• Kremke Soul Wool - Merry Merino 220 held double (50 g - 220 m)
• BC Garn - Big Bio Balance (100 g - 280 m)
• Knitting For Olive - Heavy merino (50 g - 125 m)

Samples as shown in photos:
Sample 1 (Size L): with decreases at the body ‘Loch Lomond’ in the colour ‘08’ (mud) from BC Garn.