Matthew Pullover

The Matthew Pullover is a menswear-inspired sweater knitting pattern that brings the classic gansey and its simple cable and seed stitch texture into the modern age. Whether you are an Anne fan or not, this unfussy, easy to wear menswear-inspired sweater will accompany you through the years with timeless style.

Dependable and plain, nothing about Matthew is fussy or fashionable. And yet, he is one of the most pivotal characters of the Anne of Green Gables novels. The most kindred of spirits, Matthew instantly became someone who will love Anne just for who she is, despite all her oddities and the way her brain works. His unrelenting, unconditional love is exactly what she needed when she needed it most. And even after the loss of Matthew, the memory of his nurture and love carries Anne through life like a shield.

See all testers here. For a preview of the pattern, download the Lookbook PDF here.

Sizing

A (B, C, D) E, F, G, J) to fit actual upper bust measurement 31 (34.25, 37.5, 40.75) (44, 47.25, 50.5) (53.75, 57, 60.25)” / 77.5 (85.5, 94, 102) (110, 118, 126.5) (134.5, 142.5, 150.5) cm.

Finished bust circumference of the garment is 37.25 (41.25, 45.25, 49.25) (53.25, 57.25, 61.25) (65.25, 69.25, 73.25)” / 93 (103, 113, 123) (133, 143, 153) (163, 173, 183) cm.

Choose a size based on upper bust measurement. This pattern is designed for a full bust of ease of 7.25” / 18 cm. If there is at least 5” / 12.5 cm positive ease in the full bust measurement, you have the correct size.

The size chart this pattern was graded on has full bust measurements of 30 (34, 38, 42) (46, 50, 54) (58, 62, 66)” / 75 (85, 95, 105) (115, 125, 135) (145, 155, 165) cm. The front of the pattern is 0 (0, 0, 0.5) (1.25, 1.25, 1.75) (1.75, 2.25, 2.75)” / 0 (0, 0, 1.5) (3, 3, 4) (4, 6, 7) cm wider than the back to accommodate bust tissue.

If the intended wearer has more bust tissue to accommodate, optional short row bust darts are included to add up to 5” / 12.5 cm length in the front.

Sample shown in size B with no bust darts, on a model with 34” / 86.5 full bust, 32” / 81.5 cm upper bust and 11“ / 28 cm upper arm. It’s being worn with 7.25” / 18.5 cm ease in the full bust, and 2.25” / 5.5 cm ease in the upper arm.

Gauge

14 sts x 22 rounds/rows = 4 x 4” / 10 x 10 cm, in Stockinette st knit in the round & flat on Needle A

14 sts x 22 rows = 4 x 4” / 10 x 10 cm, in cable texture pattern knit flat on Needle B

Materials

Yarn & Yardage

With unspun yarn, it’s a good idea to buy 1 extra plate in case of ripping, swatching, and to accommodate any differences in milling, as the yarn can be more variable in density.

For the full length sleeves: 4 (4, 5, 5) (6, 6, 6) (7, 7, 7) plates of Nutiden, or 375 (400, 450, 500) (525, 575, 600) (625, 675, 725) grams of a similar unspun yarn, held double.

OR 1000 (1075, 1200, 1300) (1400, 1500, 1575) (1675, 1800, 1900) yards / 900 (975, 1100, 1175) (1275, 1375, 1425) (1500, 1600, 1725) meters of chunky weight yarn that gets gauge.

Full length sleeve sample shown in Nutiden in colorway Gyllengra.

For the sleeveless/vest version: 3 (3, 3, 4) (4, 4, 4) (5, 5, 5) plates of Nutiden, or 250 (275, 300, 325) (350, 375, 400) (425, 450, 475) grams of a similar unspun yarn, held double.

OR 625 (700, 775, 850) (900, 975, 1025) (1100, 1175, 1225) yards / 575 (650, 700, 775) (825, 900, 925) (1000, 1075, 1125) me-ters of chunky weight yarn that gets gauge.

Sleeveless/vest view shown in De Rerum Natura, Cyrano in Poivre Blanc.

Bust darts add 10 (10, 10, 10) (20, 20, 20) (20, 20, 20) grams of unspun yarn or 20 (30, 30, 30) (30, 30, 40) (40, 40, 40) yards or meters per 1” / 2.5 cm added.

Needles

A: Main Fabric: US10 / 6 mm

B: Cable Texture: US10.5 / 6.5 mm

C: Rib: US8 / 5 mm

Notions

Stitch markers, tapestry needle, stitch holders or waste yarn

Construction Notes

1. Garment is worked bottom up in the round, then split for front and back. There is some underarm shaping across sizes (except Size A-B) to make sure the drop shoulder edge lands in the mid upper arm across sizes. Shoulders are shaped with German Short rows, then joined with 3 needle bind off. The sleeves are picked up and worked in the round with sleeve cap shaping with German short rows. Then, the neckband is picked up and worked in the round.
2. An optional vest version is given where edging is worked directly on the arm holes.
3. Slip all markers as they are encountered.
4. The entire construction is seamless to avoid seaming with this delicate yarn.
5. Work all neckline bind offs and underarm shaping with sloped BO for best effect.
6. Decreases and short rows are worked during the cable texture. If any cable cannot be completed during a bind off or a short row turn, then omit the entire crossing. Once this happens, that cross will not be worked again and that chart is complete for the rest of the piece.
7. If bust darts are not desired, omit printing page 59 of pattern.
8. Charts are given both in the individual panels on Page 18, and also in the form of the entire set up for each size, available on a separate file in your purchase.

Credits

Tech Editing: Heather Storta

Admin Support: Symphony Chau

Photos: Roy and Aimee Sher

Gray Sample: Gillian Frank

Accessibility

• The large format pattern file has tagged header structure for screenreader users.
• The large format file has 22 pt font, black text on white background, no italics, and bolded font for emphasis only throughout.
• All images in the large format pattern have alt text.
• Written instructions are present for all charted instructions as well.