With 2 options for necklines, and 3 options for sleeve lengths, Steel Rail is worked seamlessly from the shoulders-down. The pullover’s set-in sleeves are created simultaneously with the upper bodice in a technique originally described by Barbara Walker (no seaming!). See both ObLaDi and Prescott for the same technique. The deep scoop neck is accented by the addition of either a Steel Rail Cabled Trim (knit separately and sewn on later) or a twisted rib cowl (worked by picking up stitches from the neckline, and knit in the round).

Shaping for this fitted pullover is accomplished with princess darts to allow maximum flexibility for modifying shaping. The pattern includes a section on customizing the fit to your own preferences as well as a how-to (in a separate pdf) for adding horizontal bust darts for additional tailoring.

A photo tutorial is also included for the simultaneous set-in sleeve technique to allow you to be confident and check your progress. Short rows are required to shape the shoulders, and you must pick up stitches for the top of each sleeve cap. Otherwise, only the ability to purl, knit, perform increases & decreases, and simple chart-reading are necessary to complete the design.

Steel Rail is the second installment of Lyrical Knits’ Quabbin Series that takes inspiration from the four central Massachusetts towns that were disincorporated in the 1930s to make way for the Quabbin Reservoir. Dedicated to the town of Greenwich (pronounced GREEN-wich), this community boasted several hotels, summer camps, and a golf course (Not surprising for a town named for a Scottish duke). The Athol-Enfield railway had two depots in Greenwich, and in this pullover design, the traveling twisted rib of the Steel Rail neckline evokes the rail lines that ran north-south in the Swift River valley.

Sizes: 29(32, 35, 38, 41, 44, 47, 50)” bust require:
For the short-sleeved option: (estimates are for the cowl-version. Steel Rail neckline will take 50yds less)
2(3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4) skeins Wandering Wool Udaipur Fingering (437 yds/skein), or
3(3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5) skeins Madelinetosh 80/10/10 Fingering (437 yds/skein), or
5(5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9) skeins The Fiber Company Canopy Fingering (200 yds/skein), or approximately
850(915, 1025, 1170, 1300, 1450, 1625, 1720) yards of fingering weight yarn.
For the ¾ -sleeved option: (estimates are for the cowl-version. Steel Rail neckline will take 50yds less)
3(3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5) skeins Wandering Wool Udaipur Fingering (437 yds/skein), or
3(3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5) skeins Madelinetosh 80/10/10 Fingering (437 yds/skein), or
6(6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10) skeins The Fiber Company Canopy Fingering (200 yds/skein), or approximately
1050(1100, 1225, 1350, 1475, 1525, 1700, 1815) yards of fingering weight yarn
For the long-sleeved option: (estimates are for the cowl-version. Steel Rail neckline will take 50yds less)
3(3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5) skeins Wandering Wool Udaipur Fingering (437 yds/skein), or
3(3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5) skeins Madelinetosh 80/10/10 Fingering (437 yds/skein), or
6(6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10) skeins The Fiber Company Canopy Fingering (200 yds/skein), or approximately
1150(1200, 1325, 1450, 1575, 1625, 1800, 1915) yards of fingering weight yarn