Aiko Sweater is inspired by Japanese culture. It is a combination of delicate colorwork and interesting texture that imitates the shapes and patterns of Oriental porcelain.

Aiko is a worked from the top down in round. After the ribbing you shape the neckline with short rows. Then the fun part begins: easy colorwork, contrast color bobbles, twisted ribbing texture - and yes, more bobbles. Then separate the body and the sleeves and cast on some new stitches for underarm.

The body is worked on the wrong side so it is faster to work. You can repeat the method on the sleeves too, but I saved some details on cuffs: more bobbles and the invisible bind off method to finish your beautiful hand-made sweater.

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XS, S, (M, L, XL, XXL) = Your bust 80, 90 (100, 110, 120, 130) cm / 32, 36 (40, 44, 48, 52)”

Finished sweater bust circumference approx. 87, 95 (103, 110, 120, 130) cm / 34¾, 38 (41¼, 44, 48, 52)”

Choose a size that has approx. 0-10 cm / 0-4” of positive ease on bust.

YOU NEED
Yarn:
Fingering weight single merino yarn suggested, such as Lystig Yarn, Olann, Hedgehog Fibres, La Bien Aimée with approx. 100 g / 366 m (3,5 oz / 400 yd).
• Color A (main color for the body) 3, 3 (4, 4, 4, 5) skeins
• Color B (popping color for bobbles on yoke) 1, 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) skein
• Color C (contrast color for yoke) 1, 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) skein
Yardage:
• Color A: 270, 290 (320, 360, 380, 420) g / 9,5, 10,2 (11,2, 12,6, 13,4, 14,8) oz / 990, 1060 (1170, 1310, 1390, 1530) m / 1080, 1160 (1280, 1430, 1520, 1670) yd
• Color B: 10, 10 (15, 25, 25, 35) g / 0,3, 0,3 (0,5, 0,8, 0,8, 1,2) oz/ 36, 36 (55, 90, 90, 130) m / 40 , 40 (60, 100, 100, 142) yd
• Color C: 15, 15 (30, 45, 45, 60) g / 0,5, 0,5 (1, 1,5, 1,5, 2,1) oz / 55, 55 (110, 165, 165, 220) m / 60 , 60 (120, 180, 180, 240) yd

Needles:
• Main needle: 3,5 mm (US4) 40 cm (16”) and 80 cm (32”), optional also 120 cm (48”) circular needle or any other size to obtain the gauge. Note that you need to work colorwork looser than reversed stockinette st to maintain the tension. You can also use larger needle when working the colorwork to maintain the gauge.
• Sleeve needle: 3,5 mm (US4) DPN’s if you don’t use magic loop
• Cuff needle: 2,75 mm (US2) DPN’s if you don’t use magic loop
• Neckline needle: 2,75 mm (US2) 40 cm (16”) circular needle if you don’t use magic loop
Others:
• 5 stitch markers (1 different for BOR)
• Cable needle
• Tapestry needle for invisible BO
• Time and love

Happy knitting!