Gauge Sweater

 

This pattern was inspired by Anthropologie's Highland Sweater (pictured at right) that sells forabout $198. My version (on the left) is knit using two different needle sizes to give it added texture: size 11 to knit the stockinette stitches and size 9 to knit the ribbing and the purled stripes. It has shaping at the waist and a turtle neck, so it's super warm and cozy for the winter time.

I first created the pattern using an online pattern generator, and then went through all of the directions, modifying them to my needs and making them more readable. Pattern generators are a really useful way to get an exact-fitting basic pattern that can then be altered to incorporate your ideas.

Sizes:

Small (Medium, Large)

Finished bust: 32" (36", 40")

Finished length: 21" (21", 32")

Gauge:

Size 11 needle: 10 sts and 23 rows = 4"

Size 9 needle: 15 sts and 21 rows = 4"

Materials:

Crystal Palace Iceland Solid (100% wool) in Forest, 6 (6, 7) balls ($11.35/ball)

US size 9 (5.5 mm) 36" circular needle

US size 11 (8 mm) 36" circular needle

For the project, I used Knit Pick's Options circular knitting needles that have interchangeable tips, making it easier to change sizes.

Stitch holders and stitch markers if desired (I don't actually own any myself; a string and a hairclip usually do the trick).

Abbreviations:

CO: cast on

K, K1, etc: Knit, Knit one, etc

P: Purl

sts: stitches

ssk: slip slip knit

M1: make one stitch

St st: stockinette stitch

Pm: put marker

m: marker

BO: bind off

Stitch Pattern:

The stitch pattern for a stripe is 2 rows of purl stitches on size 9 needles and 10 (10, 11) rows of stockinette stitch on size 11 needles.

To switch from size 9 to size 11 needles: Using size 11, *K1, K2tog, repeat from * to end.

To switch from size 11 to size 9 needles: Using size 9, *P2, M1, repeat from * to end.

Pattern:

Sweater Body:

CO 116 (132, 144) sts in the round on size 9 needles. Work 12 rows in K2, P2 rib. P 2 rows.

Work two decrease stripes (Switch to size 11. Work two more rows in St st. Next row: Pm to indicate one side of waist, K2tog, K half of the sts, Pm to indicate other side of waist, K2tog, K to end. Work 3 rows. Next row: K2tog at m, K to second m, K2tog, K to end. Work 2 (2, 4) rows. Switch to size 9. P second row.)

Work two increase stripes (Switch to size 11. Work 2 rows in St st. Next row: M1 at m, K to second m, M1, K to end. Work 2 (2, 4) rows. Switch to size 9: 114 (132, 144) sts. P second row.)

Piece should measure about 43-45 cm or 17-18 in.

Armhole Shaping on Body:

Switch to size 11. Work 3 (3, 5) rows.

Divide the sts onto two holders between the markers. This will be the front and back of the sweater. Knit each as follows:

Alternate a decrease row (K1, K2tog, K until 5 sts remain, ssk, ssk, K1) and a St st row 3 times (6 rows total). Work 1 more St st row: 26 (32, 36) sts. Switch to size 9: 39 (48, 54) sts. P second row. Work regular stripe (Switch to size 11, work 9 (9, 11) more rows in St st; switch to size 9, work second P row) two times. Place sts on holder.

Piece should measure about 63-63 cm or 25-26 in.

Sleeves (x2):

CO 30 (34, 38) sts on size 9 needles. Work flat rather than in the round. Work 12 rows in K2, P2 rib. P 2 rows.

Work 7 increase stripes (Switch to size 11. Work next row in St st. Next row: K half of the sts, Pm, M1, K to end. Work 7 (7, 9) rows. Switch to size 9. Purl second row.). Work 1 regular stripe (Switch to size 11: 27 (30, 32) sts. Work 9 (9, 11) rows in St st. Switch to size 9: 40 (45, 48) sts. Work second P row).

Armhole Shaping on Sleeves:

Switch to size 11. Work 1 (1, 3) row(s) in St st. Next row: K1, K2tog, K half of the stitches, Pm, K2tog three times, K second half of sts until 3 remain, ssk, K1. Alternate decrease row (K1, K2tog, K to m, M1, K until 3 remain, ssk, K1) and St st row three times. Switch to size 9. Work second P row. Switch to size 11: 19 (22, 24) sts. Work 1 (1, 3) row(s). Alternate decrease row with St st rows 2 more times. Next 2 rows: K1, K2tog, K until 3 sts remain, ssk, K1. Place sts on holder: 8 (11, 13) sts.

Piece should measure about 68-70 cm, or 27-28 in.

Garment:

Sew up seams on sleeves and sew sleeves to sweater body, joining all unbound sleeve and body sts at the neck in the round on size 11 needles: 72 sts (78, 84).

Neck:

Work 2 rows in St st. Switch to size 9 without increasing the number of sts. Work second P row. Switch back so size 11 without decreasing the number of sts, working instead in a K2, P4 rib. Work a second row in this pattern. Switch to size 9, again without increasing the number of sts, working instead in the following pattern: *K2, P2tog, P2tog, repeat from * to end (knitting the knits and purling together the purls); 48 sts (52, 56) sts. Work 9 rows in K2, P2 rib.

BO using the stretchy BO method (*Work 2 sts as usual, then pass first stitch over the second as with a normal BO, but then return that st to the right hand needle. Repeat from * to end.).

Trim and sew in all loose ends.

Check it out at BurdaStyle!