Diamond pattern pullover. Feel-good pullover with a classic diamond pattern, like the fifties original, and oversized turtleneck. Looks great with slim silhouettes like this sexy quilted skirt.

Size: 36/38, 40/42 and 44/46. 

Instructions are given for first size. Figures in parentheses refer to larger sizes. When only one figure is given, it applies to all sizes.

Materials: "Merino Dick" (70% pure wool, 30% acrylic, approx. 55 m/50 g): 700 (750-800) g in Natural, col 106-809, and Junghans-Wolle "Merino Extrafine" (100% pure wool, approx. 125 m/50 g): 200 (250-250) g in Turquoise, col 110-640; size 4.5 and 5 mm Prym needles; size 4.5 mm circular needle, 40 cm/16" long.

Rib pattern: K2, p2. 

Stockinette: K on RS, p on WS

Intarsia pattern: Work in Stockinette in Intarsia technique according to chart. Work RS rows from right to left and work WS rows from left to right. Charts shows all rows. 1 square = 1 st and 1 row. Follow chart key and numbers on chart for colors used. Work each block of color with separate ball or bobbin of yarn. Twist yarns around each other at each color change to prevent holes. To twist yarns, drop the old color and pick up the new color from under the old color. Work first st in new color tightly. Position sts as given in instructions.

Tension: 14 sts and 17 rows = 10 x 10 cm/4" x 4" in Intarsia pat on size 5 mm needles.

Work with 1 strand Natural but with 2 strands Turquoise held tog throughout! 

Back: With size 4.5 mm needles and Natural, cast on 74 (78-86) sts. Next WS row: Selvedge st, p1, * k2, p2; rep from * to last 4 sts, k2, p1, selvedge st. Work in rib pat as established until back measures 4 cm/1 1/2" = 7 rows. Change to size 5 mm needles, work in Stockinette for 2 rows and inc 3 (3-1) sts evenly across first row = 77 (81-87) sts. Next, position sts as foll: Selvedge st; with Natural, work 4 (6-9) sts in Stockinette; work in Intarsia pat according to chart, working 11 sts before first arrow once, 22 sts between arrows twice, 12 sts after 2nd arrow once; with Natural, work 4 (6-9) sts in Stockinette, selvedge st.

Work in pat as established, working chart rows 1 - 38 once, then chart rows 3 - 38 once, then chart rows 39 - 60 once. At same time, when back measures 35 (34-33) cm/13 3/4" (13 1/2"-13") = 60 (58-56) rows from rib pat, place armhole markers at right and left edge. Cont in pat until back measures 22 (23-24) cm/8 3/4" (9"-9 1/2") = 38 (40-42) rows from armhole markers, ending with chart row 60. Sl all sts to holder.

Front: Work same as for back until front measures 55 cm/21 3/4" from cast-on = 50 rows in Intarsia pat. Shape neck: Bind off center 11 (13-15) sts. Working each side separately, bind off 3 sts at each neck edge once, then 2 sts every other row 3 times. Work through chart row 60, then sl remaining 24 (25-27) sts for each shoulder to separate holders.

Sleeves: With size 4.5 mm needles and Natural, cast on 30 sts. Next WS row: Selvedge st, p1, * k2, p2; rep from * to last 4 sts, k2, p1, selvedge st. Work in rib pat as established until sleeve measures 4 cm/1 1/2" = 7 rows. Change to size 5 mm needles, work in Stockinette for 2 rows and inc 1 (3-5) sts evenly across first row = 31 (33-35) sts. Next, center Intarsia pat on sleeve as foll: Selvedge st; with Natural, work 13 (14-15) sts in Stockinette; work in Intarsia pat according to chart, working 3 sts after 2nd arrow once; with Natural, work 13 (14-15) sts in Stockinette, selvedge st.

Note that st after first arrow is center st of sleeve. Work chart rows 1 - 38 once, then work chart rows 3 - 40 once. Work 2 rows more, working 3 sts only with Turquoise on top of previously worked 5 sts with Turquoise. At same time, shape sleeve as foll: Inc 1 st at beg and end of 5th row from rib pat, then alternately every 4th and 6th row 14 (15-15) times = 61 (65-67) sts. Work increased sts into Intarsia pat. When sleeve measures 47 cm/18 1/2" = 80 rows from rib pat, bind off all sts. 

Finishing: Pin pieces to measurements and block with damp towels. Graft shoulder sts with Kitchener Stitch. Sew side seams to armhole markers.

Collar: Sl 29 (31-33) back neck sts from holder to circular needle, then pick up and k 43 (45-47) sts around front neck edge = 72 (76-80) sts. Join for working in rnds and work rib pat in rnds for 12 cm/4 3/4".

Next inc rnd: * K2, p2, k1, M1R (= pick up horizontal thread and k1tbl), k1, p2; rep from * around = 81 (85-90) sts. Work sts as they appear until collar measures 15 cm/6" from beg.

Next inc rnd: * K1, M1R, k1, p2, k3, p2; rep from * around = 90 (95-100) sts. Work sts as they appear until collar measures 17 cm/6 3/4" from beg. Bind off all sts in pat. Sew sleeve seams. Sew on sleeves.