The inspiration for this sweater stems from a wardrobe necessity—a classic staple with a contemporary twist and a touch of uniqueness. The Tempo sweater is a timeless v-neck distinguished by a neckline finish that elevates it beyond the traditional look. Its construction allows for adjustable neck depth and can even be transformed into a cardigan.

This sweater is knitted seamlessly from the top down and features an elegant slanted European shoulder. The rhythmic vertical twisted stitch columns add a textural element and are the reason behind its name.

The pattern is intended for intermediate knitters and incorporates extensive short rows to shape the sleeve cap. You’ll need to be able to read your knitting to align newly increased stitches with the established 1x3 twisted rib. Most of the body is worked flat, so those not fond of excessive purling will be pleased to find that the wrong side consists mainly of knit stitches, with a few purls through the back loop to keep things interesting.

A detailed pattern deep-dive video is available on our YouTube channel. This video covers the construction, techniques, and possible customisations in greater detail.

It’s a quick knit with larger needles and a loose gauge for an airy feel. A fluffy yarn is strongly recommended to fill the larger gaps between stitches.

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Difficulty: Intermediate. Ability to read your knitting is required.

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

Finished bust circumference:

• 90 (100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170) cm
• 36 (40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68)”

Designed to be worn with 10-15 cm / 4-6” positive ease around the chest.
To choose the most appropriate size, measure the wearer’s chest and add the preferred ease. Or measure the circumference of an already-owned sweater that fits well. Then find the closest finished chest circumference.

Yarn: Fluffy sport or DK weight yarn. Depending on the length of the sweater, allow approximately:

• 790 (840, 910, 965, 1035, 1115, 1175, 1240, 1305) m
• 865 (920, 995, 1055, 1130, 1220, 1285, 1355, 1425) yds

Yarn used in the sample (size 2 with ¾ sleeves) is 4 skeins of Moondrake Co. Fuwa Fuwa Sport (70% Brushed Cashmere, 30% Superwash Merino; 175 m 191 yds / 50 g) in colourway Magenta.

Gauge: 16 sts & 24 rows = 10 cm / 4” in 1x3 Twisted Rib on larger needles, blocked.

Note: Achieving the correct row gauge is important because the sleeve cap shaping depends on the number of yoke rows.*

Suggested needles:

• 4.5 mm (US 7) circulars 60-100 cm / 24-40″ long and (optional) DPNs for small circumference knitting
• 3.75 mm (US 5) circulars 60-100 cm / 24-40″ long and (optional) DPNs for small circumference knitting

Notions: Stitch markers, row counter, scissors, tape measure, stitch holders or waste yarn, tapestry needle, locking stitch markers or bobby pins for Japanese short rows.

Techniques used: Short rows, twisted stitches, twisted lifted increases, backwards loop cast-on, tubular bind-off, knitting in the round.

Construction notes: The sweater is worked seamlessly flat from the top down. We start by casting on stitches for the back neckline and shaping the shoulders with lifted increases. The back is then worked down to the underarms, with armhole shaping increases.
Next, we pick up stitches along the back shoulders to create the front shoulders, working each side separately with increases that shape the front neckline, continuing down to the point where the fronts are joined by casting on additional stitches, completing the front neckline.
Once the fronts are joined together, we knit the body in one piece all the way down to the hem, and finish with a 1x1 rib on smaller needles.
For the sleeves, we pick up stitches along the shoulder edges and the underarm cast-on edge. The sleeve caps are shaped using short rows. Continuing in the round, we knit the sleeves all the way to the cuffs which are finished with a 1x1 rib.
A 1x1 ribbed neckband is created by picking up stitches around the neckline.