The thin, gauzy dresses of the Regency era had an ethereal quality that stood no chance against a chill wind. Enter the ubiquitous spencer, a short military-inspired jacket that followed the lines of the dress beneath and hugged the body, addressing both form and function.

It seemed to me that a modern twist on form and function would be a little cover-up, such as this crossover front pullover sweater that could be thrown on over a dress on a cool summer night.

Intended to be worn with negative ease, it hugs the body and ends at the waist. The beaded shoulders are a nod to the epaulettes of the military spencer, and the easy-to-remember beaded diamond pattern takes the project from ordinary to extraordinary.

This sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down with set-in sleeves that use an intriguing and novel technique called the contiguous sleeve method, developed by Susie Myers.

SIZE
Actual bust: 28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) inches approx.
Sweater shown measures 30”. Choose a size with about 2” of negative ease.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust: 30 (32.5, 34, 36.5, 38, 40.5, 42) inches.
Length: 14 (14.75, 15, 15, 15.5, 15.5, 15.5) inches.

DIFFICULTY
Intermediate - techniques used: provisional cast on, contiguous sleeves, bead knitting, knitting in the round, reading charts, I-cord

MATERIALS
Classic Elite Yarns Verde Collection Solstice (70% organic cotton/30% wool; 100yds/91 m per 1.75oz/50g skein); colour: Natural 2316; 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8) skeins.

About 120 (120, 136, 136, 152, 152, 168) grams size 3/0 Toho round seed beads in lustered cream
1 24” US 6 (4 mm) circular needle
Set of US 6 (4 mm) double pointed needles
1 24” US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needle
Set of US 5 (3.75 mm) double pointed needles
Stitch markers
Stitch holders
tapestry needle
US E/4 (3.5 mm) crochet hook
Small amount of smooth waste yarn in similar gauge to working yarn for provisional cast-on.

GAUGE
20 sts/28 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch