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Gander is a walk in the woods; crisp and relaxing. The sweater is started by working the stranded colourwork band in the round and steeking it. Stitches are picked up along the stranded band and stockinette is worked flat with decreases at the hemline. At the arm division, side stitches are bound off and the back stockinette is worked even down to the hem and bound off. The sides are seamed together. A surface embellishment is added to the borders of the stranded band and i-cords finish all the edges for a crisp look. Since the steek is across 7.5 cm / 3” rounds of colourwork, it is a great first steeking project for those who haven’t steeked before!

Sizes

(1, 2, 3) (4, 5, 6) (7, 8) with finished busts:
(104, 114.5, 124.5) (134.5, 145, 160) (178, 195.5) cm /
(41, 45, 49) (53, 57, 63) (70, 77)”.
Sample shown is size 3 on an 89cm / 35” bust corresponding to 35.5cm / 14” positive ease at bust. Intended to be worn with at least 15cm / 6” positive ease at bust. A schematic and list of measurements is provided.

Yarn

ArtFil Mericana DK (100% superwash merino wool), 244 metres (267 yards) per 100 grams, in one main colour (MC) and five contrast colours (CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4, CC5). You will need (4, 5, 5) (6, 7, 8) (9, 10) (regular-sized skeins of the main colour, (2, 2, 2) (3, 3, 3) (3, 3, 3) mini skeins of CC1, (1, 1, 1) (2, 2, 2) (2, 2) mini skeins of CC2, (1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 1) (1, 2) mini skeins of CC3, and 1 mini skein each of CC4, and CC5. Approximate amounts are provided below. If using hand-dyed yarn as in the sample, please alternate the MC skeins as you work for an even colour distribution.

Specifically the colours and approximate amounts of Mericana DK are:

MC (Mushroom):
(965, 1085, 1220) (1430, 1630, 1830) (2110, 2390) metres/
(1055, 1185, 1335) (1565, 1785, 2005) (2310, 2615) yards

CC1 (Natural):
(85, 90, 95) (100, 100, 105) (115, 125) metres/
(95, 100, 105) (110, 110, 115) (125, 140) yards

CC2 (Anise):
(35, 40, 45) (55, 65, 70) (80, 85) metres/
(40, 45, 50) (60, 75, 80) (90, 95) yards

CC3 (Summer):
(30, 35, 35) (35, 40, 40) (45, 55) metres/
(35, 40, 40) (40, 45, 45) (50, 60) yards

CC4 (Autumn Burn):
(10, 10, 10) (15, 15, 15) (15, 15) metres/
(15, 15, 15) (20, 20, 20) (20, 20) yards

CC5 (Scarlet):
(5, 5, 5) (5, 5, 10) (10, 10) metres/
(10, 10, 10) (10, 10, 15) (15, 15) yards

Gauge

Stockinette (flat):
22 sts and 32 rows to 10cm / 4” with size A needles after blocking (or needle size required to match gauge).

Stranded colourwork (in the round):
22 sts to 10cm / 4” and 21 rounds of Collar Chart to 7.5cm / 3” with size B needles after blocking (or needle size required to match gauge).

Needles

Size A: 3.25mm (US 3) body, sleeves, i-cord edgings
Size B: 3.75mm (US 5) stranded colourwork

Note: you may need different needle sizes than what I used to achieve gauge. Be sure to swatch and always use a needle size that will result in the correct gauge after blocking.

Notions

Darning needle and sturdy sock yarn or sewing machine for reinforcing the steek; grosgrain ribbon, needle and thread to finish the steek edge along the hemline; 2.75mm (US 2) 100cm/40” long circular needle (OR crochet hook) for embellishing the collar edges; stitch markers and removable markers

Techniques

stranded knitting in the round
steeking
seaming (side seams)
i-cord bind off
picking up and knitting stitches
pick up stitches without knitting them for surface knitted bind off (if preferred, you could also work this by crochet)

Instagram knitjbeale #gandersweater
Tech edited by Chaitanya Muralidhara (Ravelry: beginswithac)

Come and join me for a KAL in my Ravelry group, January 1 through November 1, 2021. Please see the announcement in knitjbeale Designs for details!