INTRODUCTION

Fluffy Basketweave

by Laura Zukaite

This design was worked in a unique basketweave stitch – which is accentuated by yarn overs to create a more 3-dimensional look. A boxy silhouette with a drop-shoulder armhole makes it an easy everyday pullover. The front and back panels start with the Basketweave pattern, while the sleeves have a rib start.

model: Laura Zukaite

photos: David Alvarado

SIZE

Women's XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
shown in size S with 9 inches/23 cm of ease at largest part of chest

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest circumference at underarm:  37[43, 48.75, 54.5, 60.5, 66.25, 72, 77.75, 83.5] inches/ 94[109, 124, 138, 153, 167.5, 183, 197.5, 218.5] cm
Length:  18.5[19, 19.5, 20, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 22, 22.5] inches/ 47[48, 49.5, 51, 52, 53, 54.5, 56, 57] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Yarnalia Fluffy [30% Wool/ 70% Acrylic; 109 yd/100 m per 3.5 oz/100 g ball]; color: Light Hazelnut; 6[6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 11] balls

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses a chunky-weight 3-ply superwash wool blended with acrylic. The yarn is machine washable and is easy to care for. The 3-ply has a natural texture which adds to the textural beauty of the stitch.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 set of US #10/6.0 mm needles for working flat
1 set of US #9/3.75 mm circular needle, 24 inches/ 60 cm long

Notions
stitch markers
stitch holders
yarn needle

GAUGE

12 sts/14 rows= 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch
11 sts/12 rows= 4 inches/10 cm in Basketweave pattern stitch

Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Construction method: This pullover is worked flat in four pieces from the bottom up: front, back and 2 sleeves.

Selvage: There are 2 extra stitches at each end of the row for selvage. Slip the first and knit the last stitch of every row.

CHARTS

Basketweave Pattern (worked flat)
Multiple of 8 sts + 3
Row 1 [RS]: K1, *k2, p5, k1; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2 [WS]: P2, *p1, k5, p2; repeat from * to last st, p1.
Rows 3-4: Repeat Rows 1-2.
Row 5: K1, *k1, ssk, yo, k3, yo, k2tog; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: P1, *p3, k3, p2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 8: K2, *k2, p3, k3; repeat from * to last st, k1.
Rows 9-10: Repeat Rows 7-8.
Row 11: K1, *k2, yo, k2tog, k1, ssk, yo, k1; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 12: Purl.

Repeat these 12 rows for pattern

DIRECTIONS

BACK
Using larger needles and the long-tail cast on method, CO 53[61, 69, 77, 85, 93, 101, 109, 117] sts.

Next row [WS]: Sl1, purl to the last stitch, k1.

Work in Basketweave stitch pattern, beginning with Row 1, till piece measures 18.5[19, 19.5, 20, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 22, 22.5] inches/ 47[48, 49.5, 51, 52, 53, 54.5, 56, 57] cm, ending with a WS row.

Shape shoulders:
Next 6 rows: BO 4[5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12] sts, work to the last 2 sts, k2tog. 23[25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39] sts rem.

BO all sts loosely in knit.

FRONT
Using larger needles, CO 53[61, 69, 77, 85, 93, 101, 109, 117] sts.

Next row [WS]: Sl1, purl to the last stitch, k1.

Work in Basketweave stitch pattern till piece measures 13.5[14, 14.5, 15, 15.5, 16, 16.5, 17, 17.5] inches/ 34[35.5, 37, 38, 39.5, 40.5, 42, 43, 44.5] , ending with a WS row.

Work neckline shaping:
Next row [RS]: Work 22[25, 28, 31, 34, 37, 40, 43, 46] shoulder sts in established pattern, BO 9[11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25] sts, work remaining 21[24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45] shoulder sts in established pattern.

NOTE: Instructions for the Left and Right sides are separated by a semi-colon (;)

Next row [WS]: Work shoulder sts in established pattern to the last 2 sts, p2tog; BO 2 sts, work in established pattern to the end of the row.
Next row [RS]: Work shoulder sts in established pattern to the last 2 sts, k2tog; BO 2 sts, work in established pattern to the end of the row. 19[22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 37, 40, 43] sts rem on each side.

Next row [WS]: Work in established pattern to the last 2 sts, p2tog; BO 1 st, work in established pattern to the end of the row.
Next row [RS]: Work in established pattern to the last 2 sts, k2tog; BO 1 st, work in established pattern to the end of the row.
Repeat the last 2 rows once more. 15[18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39] sts rem on each side.

Continue working in established pattern till Front measures 18.5[19, 19.5, 20, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 22, 22.5] inches/ 47[48, 49.5, 51, 52, 53, 54.5, 56, 57] cm from cast on edge.

Shape shoulders:

NOTE: Instructions for the Left and Right sides are separated by a semi-colon (;)

Next 6 rows: BO 4[5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12] sts, work to the end of the row; Work to the last 2 sts, k2tog. 0 sts rem for all sizes.

SLEEVES (make 2)
Using larger needles, CO 29[29, 31, 31, 33, 33, 35, 35, 37] sts.

Place markers 1[2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 0, 1] stitches in from each end of the row (this will indicate the start and the end of Basketweave pattern). Please work the extra stitches on the outside of the markers in Stockinette Stitch. As you work the increases, once you have enough stitches on the outside of the markers to create a full pattern repeat, start working them in Basketweave stitch pattern.

Bottom Hem
Work in 1x1 Rib for 2 inches/5 cm.
On the next RS row, start working the Basketweave stitch pattern.

Work in established pattern till sleeves measure 5 inches/12.5 cm.

Note: work newly added sts in Stockinette until there are enough sts to work a full pattern repeat.

Increase row: Kfb, knit to last st, kfb. 2 sts increased. 31[31, 33, 33, 35, 35, 37, 37, 39] sts.

Repeat this row every 2 inches/5 cm 4 more times. 39[39, 41, 41, 43, 43, 45, 45, 47] sts.

Continue working in established pattern till sleeve measures 19 inches/48 cm. BO all the stitches loosely in pattern.

FINISHING

Block the pieces. Sew the shoulders together.

Neck ribbing
Using smaller circular needles, pick up and knit 64[66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, ] sts around the neck opening. Pm and join to work in the round.

Work in 1x1 Rib for 2 inches/5 cm. BO all sts loosely in rib.

Sew the side seams, stopping 6.25[6.5, 6.75, 7, 7.25, 7.5, 7.75, 8, 8.25] inches/ 16[16.5, 17, 18, 18.5, 19, 19.5, 20, 21] cm below the shoulder seam for the armhole openings. Attach and seam the sleeves. Weave in the ends.

A – Chest circumference at underarm: 37[43, 48.75, 54.5, 60.5, 66.25, 72, 77.75, 83.5] inches/ 94[109, 124, 138, 153, 167.5, 183, 197.5, 218.5] cm
B – Length: 18.5[19, 19.5, 20, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 22, 22.5] inches/ 47[48.5, 49.5, 51, 52, 53.5, 54.5, 56, 57] cm
C – Armhole depth: 6.25[6.5, 6.75, 7, 7.25, 7.5, 7.75, 8, 8.25] inches/ 16[16.5, 17, 18, 18.5, 19, 19.5, 20.5, 21] cm
D – Neck width: 8.5[9, 9.75, 10.5, 11.25, 12, 12.75, 13.5, 14.25] inches/ 21.5[23, 25, 26.5, 28.5, 30.5, 32.5, 34.5, 36] cm
E – Sleeve length: 19 inches/48.5 cm
F – Wrist circumference: 10.5[10.5, 11.25, 11.25, 12, 12, 12.75, 12.75, 13.5] inches/ 26.5[26.5, 28.5, 28.5, 30.5, 30.5, 32.5, 32.5, 34.5] cm
G – Upper arm circumference: 14.25[14.25, 15, 15, 15.75, 15.75, 16.5, 16.5, 17] inches/ 36[36, 38, 38, 40, 40, 42, 42, 43] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Laura Zukaite was born and raised in Lithuania, and studied Fashion Design in New York City, where she lived for close to 20 years working in the fashion industry designing for such companies as Ralph Lauren and The Gap. Now Laura designs from her residence in Ecuador.

She learned to knit as a child and has always loved the physical act of making things and working with her hands. It is very rewarding to create something from an idea and then through making it stitch by stitch, having a functional item at the end.

Laura has been published in various knitting magazines such as Vogue Knitting and Interweave Knits. She is an author of Luxe Knits, Luxe Knits: The Accessories, and Inspired Shawls. Find her on Instagram.

Pattern & images © 2025 Laura Zukaite