Layla has been updated in 2023! There are now more sizes, and you have 2 options to pick from: 1-row, 2 color stripes version AND a self-striping yarn option.

Layla is a boxy, oversized cardi/vest layering piece. It’s knits seamlessly from the bottom-up with worsted-weight yarn and is a great garment to layer with! And there are 2 different versions depending on the type of yarn you want to use. Pick the “1-row stripes” option for a 2-color skinny stripe look. Or pick the “self-striping yarn” option where you work a main color along with a self-striping yarn (instead of working stripes).

The self-striping version was originally inspired by this fabulous finished project from Lonneke here. So many knitters requested that I add info to the original Layla pattern about how they can create something similar, and so the self-striping version was born. Thank you Lonneke for your original inspiration!

PATTERN DETAILS:

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)

Note: If you are looking at Ravelry projects posted before 2023, you may see that they reference sizes labeled like this: XXS (XS, S, M, L, XL, 2X). In the updated version (published in Jan 2023), additional sizes were added and these labels have been updated. So old sizes XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, 2X = new sizes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Finished Body Circumference (with front bands overlapping): 37 (41, 45, 49, 53) (57, 61, 64, 69, 72.5)”/ 94 (104, 114, 124, 135) (145, 155, 163, 175, 184) cm

Picking Your Size:
I suggest picking a size that is approx 5-10”/13-25 cm larger
than your actual bust measurement, depending on your desired fit. Shown in size 3 (44.5”/113 cm), being worn with approx 11”/28 cm of positive ease at the bust, and 5”/13 cm of positive ease at the hips.

Gauge:18 sts & 26 rows = 4”/10 cm in St st after blocking

Yarn: Worsted-weight yarn - approx. yardages listed below depending on version:

1-ROW STRIPE VERSION:

• Main color (MC): 575 (645, 710, 780, 855) (905, 985, 1040, 1130, 1185) yds / 5 (5, 6, 6, 7) (7, 8, 8, 9, 9) skeins, shown in Lark by Quince & Co (100% Wool; 50g = 134 yds), Gingerbread.
• Contrasting Color (CC): 200 (230, 265, 300, 335) (360, 400, 430, 475, 505) yds / 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) (3, 3, 4, 4, 4) skeins, shown in Lark by Quince & Co (100% Wool; 50g = 134 yds), Honey.

SELF-STRIPING VERSION:

• Solid color (MC): 365 (395, 425, 455, 480) (510, 540, 565, 595, 620) yds / 3 (4, 4, 4, 4) (5, 5, 5, 5, 6) skeins, shown in Woolstok Worsted by Blue Sky Fibers (100% Wool; 50g = 123 yds), Wild Thyme.
• Self-Striping Yarn (SS): 425 (475, 520, 570, 620) (665, 715, 760, 820, 860) yds / 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 2, 2) skeins, shown in Akari by Noro (26% Silk, 21% Cotton, 15% Viscose, 14% Mohair, 12% Wool, 12% Polyamide; 200g = 528 yds), #05 Hamura.

A few Other Yarn Ideas:

• Cascade 220
• Berroco Ultra Wool, Ultra Alpaca or Lanas
• Malabrigo Rios
• Brooklyn Tweed Shelter

Needles & Other Supplies:

• US 8/5 mm 32”/80 cm circ, or size needed to obtain gauge.

• Extra US 8/5 mm circ (or size used to obtain gauge), in either 24”/60 cm or 32”/80 cm length (for three needle bind-off).

• For Armhole Trim: US 7/4.5 mm 16”/40 cm circ, or 1 needle size smaller than that used to obtain gauge.

• For Front Bands: US 7/4.5 mm 32”/80 cm or 40”/100 cm circ, or 1 needle size smaller than that used to obtain gauge.

• Stitch markers.

• Scrap yarn or stitch holders.

• Tapestry needle.