This design is part of my “From Japan, with love“ series, which was inspired by a recent trip back to Japan, where I lived as a child. The yoke pattern symbolizes the cultural and emotional intersection that I grew up and found my own identity in.

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This classic, comfortable sweater is highlighted by a striking stranded colorwork yoke that lends itself to many color combinations and presents a great stash-busting opportunity.

CONSTRUCTION:
This garment is knit seamlessly from the top down, featuring a stranded colorwork section around the yoke.
The yoke is a hybrid circular/raglan for an optimal fit. The pattern also gives the option to work a few short rows at the back neck for a more fitted neckline.The yoke is worked in the round to the underarms, then the sleeves are put on hold, and the body is worked in the round to the hem. Lastly, the sleeve stitches are returned to the needles and worked in the round to the cuff.
Please note: the colorwork portions are charted only. One round in the colorwork section requires three-color stranding (the rest uses two-color stranding)

SKILLS REQUIRED: casting on, knitting, purling, increasing, knitting in the round, working a stranded colorwork pattern in the round following a chart, picking up stitches, binding off.

SIZES:
3mo (6mo, 12mo, 18mo // 2yo, 4yo, 6yo, 8yo, 10yo)
To fit chest: 16 (17, 18, 19 // 21, 23, 25, 26.5, 28) inches or 40.5 (43, 45.5, 48.5 // 53.5, 58.5, 63.5, 67.5, 71) cm.
Garment chest at underarms: 17.5 (19, 19.75, 20.25 // 23.25, 24.75, 27, 28.25, 30.5) inches or 44.5 (48.5, 50, 51.5 // 59, 63, 68.5, 72, 77.5) cm.
In general it’s best to go by the recipient’s actual chest measurements when selecting the appropriate size. You can also choose a size according to how much ease you’d like the garment to have.

YARN REQUIREMENTS:

• Main Color: Approximately 250 (275, 300, 350 // 425, 475, 550, 650, 800) yds or 229 (251, 274, 320 // 389, 434, 503, 594, 732) meters of De Rerum Natura Ulysse in colorway “Poivre blanc,” or similar sport weight yarn,
• Contrasting Color 1: Approximately 25-50 yds or 23-46 meters of De Rerum Natura Ulysse in colorway “Doré,” or similar sport weight yarn
• Contrasting Color 2: Approximately 25-50 yds or 23-46 meters of De Rerum Natura Ulysse in colorway “Plume,” or similar sport weight yarn

NEEDLES:

• Size A: US6 or 4 mm circular needle (or size needed to match stockinette stitch gauge). Length: 16-inch or 40 cm and 30-inch or 76 cm.
• matching double-pointed needles or short circular needle for sleeves.
• Size B: US4 or 3.5 mm circular needle (or 2 sizes smaller than above) of the same two lengths for neckline and bottom ribbing.
• matching double-pointed needles for sleeve cuff ribbing. -Size C: US7 or 4.5 mm circular needle (or size needed to match colorwork gauge). Length: 16-inch or 40 cm.

NOTIONS:

• 5 stitch markers (I recommend using a different color for the BOR m)
• tapestry needle
• 2 pieces of scrap yarn or stitch holders

GAUGE:
22 sts x 32 rows = 4 inches or 10 cm in stockinette stitch in the round after blocking using Size A needle.
22 sts x 24 rows = 4 inches or 10 cm in main colorwork pattern in the round after blocking using Size C needle.
Please adjust your needle size if needed to achieve gauge.