Introducing The Downbeat

I’m excited to tell you about my newest pattern, The Downbeat! I like to think of this design as “thoughtfully simple”. It’s a blank-canvas type of pattern, but with thoughtful details that provide not only a great fit, but a simple and easy-going knitting experience.

About the Design

Construction: The Downbeat is knit seamlessly from the top-down and features raglan construction to shape the yoke. And, short rows are used to shape the neckline for a beautiful, comfortable fit (plus it means you don’t have to pick-up and knit neckline stitches!).

Yarn: It calls for worsted-weight yarn with a stitch gauge of 17 stitches = 4″/10 cm. In the pictures above, I used Berroco Ultra Alpaca – a classic wool/alpaca worsted-weight yarn that knits up beautifully in this sweater.

Sizes: There are 10 sizes to pick from, ranging from a finished bust circumference of 34.75″/88 cm to 66″/168 cm. The ease range I suggest in the pattern is 3-8″/8-20 cm, depending on your desired fit. I’ve also provided options for either A-line body shaping (with different length options) or no shaping.

Tips & Tutorials: And like all of my patterns, there is a tips page (link in pattern) that provides tutorials and tips for every aspect of making this sweater (including a step-by-step video lesson on working the short row neck shaping).

Why the name “The Downbeat”?

In music, the downbeat is the first beat of the measure – the steady anchor that sets rhythm and melody in motion. The Downbeat sweater embodies that same spirit of possibility, serving as the starting point for your creativity. Keep it simple and let the yarn take center stage, or use it as a backdrop for your own creative riffs. Either way, like every great song, it all begins with the downbeat!

Want to see some examples of this? Check out the work from my wonderful test/preview knitters below (or click here to see on Ravelry)! I’ve included what yarn they used, how much ease they are wearing with it, and a link to their Ravelry project pages if you would like to read more details.

And for all the pattern details so you can make your own, click here for my website or here for the Ravelry page.