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Credits
Tech editing: Janne (pineforestknits.com) | Pattern, sample, grading, and schematics: Lív Ulven

The KARO SWEATER is a classic raglan-style sweater featuring slip-stitch colourwork stripes that mimic a woven texture. The distinct colourwork pattern, evocative of squared paper, reminds us of school days spent colouring in the little squares during idle moments. This playful engagement with ‘Karo(papier)’ - a colloquial German term for squared paper - not only inspired the sweater’s name but also mirrors the whimsical joy found in the simplicity of its design.

Design highlights
The KARO Sweater’s defining feature is its slip-stitch colourwork stripes, achieved by weaving the contrast colour around stitches without knitting them. This creates distinctive textured bumps, with alternating stitches slipped with the yarn in front or back. The sequence reverses in each repeat, maintaining the colourwork pattern throughout, while all shaping is subtly incorporated into the main colour sections.

Knit with unspun Manchelopi yarn from Wooldreamers, the main colour combines a strand of Manchelopi and silk mohair, while the contrast uses two strands of Manchelopi. This ensures the fabric remains warm yet balanced, avoiding excess bulk while offering a beautiful drape and texture.

Sizing
This pattern is designed for 12-20 cm/ 4.75-7.75 in of positive ease. With greater discrepancies in upper chest and full chest measurements, I recommend going with the upper chest measurement. The sample in the photos is size 2 with 16 cm/ 6.25 in positive ease.

You can choose from 9 unisex sizes, with finished bust circumferences of

91, 100, 109 118, 127, 136 {144, 153, 164} cm/ 35.75, 39.25, 43 46.5, 50, 53.5 {56.75, 60.25, 64.5} in.

A schematic with comprehensive measurements is included in the knitting pattern.

Download the free pattern preview to view the schematic.

Recommended Yarn (Fingering + Lace, DK)
Wooldreamers - Manchelopis (unspun yarn, comes double stranded in plates of 100g = 230m/460m | approx. 250/505 yds):

‘Blanco Natural’ (MC) held single stranded together with a single strand of Filcolana - Tilia (30% mulberry silk and 70% kid mohair, 25g = 210m | approx. 230 yds) in ‘101 - Natural White’ as the main colour. Wooldreamers - Manchelopis in colourways ‘Caldero’ (CC1), ‘Verde Botella’ (CC2) and ‘Lavanda’ (CC3) held double stranded as contrast colours.

Main Colour: Wooldreamers - Manchelopis ‘Blanco Natural’:

Meters: 630, 685, 815 (820, 840, 990) {1020, 1065, 1110}
Yards: 690, 750, 890 (895, 920, 1085) {1115, 1165, 1215}
Grams: 135,150, 175 (180, 185, 215) {220, 230, 240}
Plates: 2, 2, 2 (2, 2, 3) {3, 3, 3}

held single stranded together with 

Filcolana - Tilia (30% mulberry silk and 70% kid mohair, 25g = 210m | | approx. 230 yds) in ‘101 - Natural White’:

Meters: 780, 850, 1010 (1020, 1040, 1230) {1270, 1325, 1385}
Yards: 855, 930, 1105 (1115, 1135, 1345) {1390, 1450, 1515}
Grams: 95, 100, 120 (120, 125, 145) {150, 160, 165}
Balls: 4, 4, 5 (5, 5, 6) {6, 7, 7}

Contrast Colour (in total): Wooldreamers - Manchelopis:

Meters: 215, 230, 265 (270, 275, 315) {325, 335, 350}
Yards: 235, 250, 290 (295, 300, 345) {355, 365, 385}
Grams: 95, 100, 115 (115, 120, 135) {140, 145, 150}
Plates: 1, 1, 2 (2, 2, 2) {2, 2, 2}

Contrast Colour 1/2/3 (each): Wooldreamers - Manchelopis:

Meters: 90, 95, 105 (105, 110, 120) {125, 130, 135}
Yards: 100, 105, 115 (115, 120, 130) {135, 140, 150}
Grams: 40, 40, 45 (45, 50, 50) {55, 55, 60}
Plates: 1, 1, 1 (1, 1, 1) {1, 1, 1}

The provided meterages/ yardages already include a safety margin. However, please note that your individual yarn consumption may vary based on your yarn, gauge, size, and the desired sleeve/body length. It is advisable to get a little more than you think you’ll need.
I have listed the estimated meterages for the contrast colour both as a total and for each colour separately. The meterages listed for each colour separately are higher because I have added a larger safety margin for using multiple colours as opposed to just one. The reason for this is that you may use more or less of each colour depending on their order in the project.

Yarn Substitutes (Fingering + Lace, DK/Worsted)
Wooldreamers - Saona (50% Andalusian Cotton, 50% Merino Entrefino and Manchego wool, 50g = 220m | approx. 240 yds) in ‘Groen’ (MC) held together with Knitting for Olive Silk Mohair (70% Mohair, 30% Silk, 25g = 225m | approx. 245 yds) in ‘Dusty Artichoke’ as the main colour. Wooldreamers - Mota (100% Merino Entrefino and Manchego wool,  100g = 230m | approx. 250 yds) in ‘Blanco Natural’ as contrast colour.

Main Colour: Wooldreamers - Saona - ‘Groen’:

Meters: 725, 790, 940 (945, 970, 1140) {1175, 1230, 1285}
Yards: 795, 865, 1030 (1035, 1060, 1245) {1285, 1345, 1405}
Grams: 165, 180, 215 (215, 220, 260) {265, 280, 290}
Balls: 4, 4, 5 (5, 5, 6) {6, 6, 6}

held together with 

Knitting for Olive - Silk Mohair - ‘Dusty Artichoke’:

Meters: 725, 790, 940 (950, 970, 1145) {1180, 1230, 1285}
Yards: 795, 865, 1030 (1040, 1060, 1250) {1290, 1345, 1405}
Grams: 80, 90, 105 (105, 110, 125) {130, 135, 145}
Balls: 4, 4, 5 (5, 5, 5) {6, 6, 6}

Contrast Colour (in total): Wooldreamers - Mota - ‘Blanco Natural’:

Meters: 235, 255, 295 (300, 305, 355) {365, 375, 390}
Yards: 255, 280, 325 (330, 335, 390) {400, 410, 425}
Grams: 100, 110, 130 (130, 135, 155) {160, 165, 170}
Balls: 1, 2, 2 2, 2, 2 {2, 2, 2}

Contrast Colour 1/2/3 (each) - Wooldreamers - Mota:

Meters: 110, 120, 130 (135, 135, 150) {155, 160, 165}
Yards: 120, 130, 140 (150, 150, 165) {170, 175, 180}
Grams: 50, 50, 55 (60, 60, 65) {65, 70, 70}
Balls: 1, 1, 1 (1, 1, 1) {1, 1, 1}

Gauge
The gauge in pattern is 18 sts and 21 rounds/rows per 10 cm |  4 in.

Needles
3.5 mm (US 4) and 4.0 mm (US 6) 60-120 cm/24-47 in circular needles and/or DPNs. 

Notions
Stitch markers, stitch holders, a darning needle for weaving in ends, measuring tape, scissors.

Pattern Specifications
The pattern includes comprehensive written instructions and charts. A schematic with measurements is also provided in the pattern.

This digital knitting pattern has been professionally tech-edited and is available in the following language: English.