The Downbeat Sweater

Yarn: Brooklyn Tweed Shelter in the colorway Newsprint; 100% wool. I purchased this yarn years and years ago, with no real plan, but I had long considered knitting a second Weekender sweater with it. But I never did. So I’ve been waiting a long time to use this yarn — and it turned out to be the perfect match for this design. Sadly, BT Shelter (in any colorway) is no longer available.

Needles: I used US size 8 needles to knit the body, sleeves, and bottom ribbing (body ribbing, not sleeve cuffs). I used US size 7 needles for the neckband ribbing and sleeve cuffs.

Started/Finished: I cast on in mid-September 2025 and finished on October 12, 2025.

Notes and Modifications

I love Elizabeth Smith’s design style: It’s very classic and “clean,” but always with fun little twists and features added. I have knit several of Elizabeth’s sweater designs over the years, and always consider them basic “staples” in my wardrobe. Her newest pattern release, The Downbeat, is no exception. I was happy to take part in the test knit group for this sweater — and will make more of this design, for sure.

Elizabeth’s patterns are always clear, easy to follow, and impeccably written. As an experienced knitter, I don’t always rely on her excellent tips pages and tutorials, but I always check them out. They are helpful, clear, and a true “public service” for knitters new to sweater-knitting.

My personal modifications and notes

Notes:

I knit the 3rd size with some modifications (see below).
I used nearly 7 full skeins of Shelter yarn, so just under 980 yards.
I am wearing this sweater with 9-10″ of positive ease.

Modifications:

Because I was so pleased with the overall fit when I tried the sweater on (just before the sleeve-divide and after a quick wet block) – and because I really liked where the sweater design was heading, I decided to modify the fit just slightly based on one of my favorite (commercially made) sweaters. (This one.) I did the following:

I deepened the raglan depth by about an inch.
Immediately after the sleeve divide, I added stitches (randomly around the circumference) in the body to get to the size 4 stitch count.
I used the A-line increases as specified in the pattern for the cropped sweater (I wanted to create more ease sooner in the body), but knit the length to match my favorite sweater — and that was 14 inches.
I didn’t switch to a smaller needle to knit the bottom ribbing on the body; I just kept going with the US 8.

What will I do with it? Well. I’m already wearing the heck out it. And I’m planning to make another right away. . .

Ravelry link.

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