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It’s said that the Northern Lights are the reflection of the armor and shields of the Valkyrie as they led fallen warriors to Odin. I believe handmade clothing is armor that shields us and protects us.

I wanted to create a sweater that illustrated the bold, dynamic intensity of the Northern Lights, from quiet ribbons of color that seem rooted to the earth, to the wild chromatic dance of light sweeping freely through the sky. I started with the yarn: handpainting to echo the intensity of the Lights dancing through the dark night sky. Then the stitch pattern, borrowed from previous designs, but with an asymmetrical twist that is echoed through to the sleeves and hem. The “lights” start quietly over the left shoulder and end in a cape-like riot of colour and texture over the right shoulder and sleeve.

PATTERN NOTES
Construction method:
This sweater is worked seamlessly in the round from the neckline to the hem.
Sleeves are worked in the round after the body is completed.
The asymmetric quality of the yoke in this pattern is created by changing the stitch pattern laterally through the yoke. Approximately 1/3 of the yoke stitches are worked in the Garter ridge pattern (Section C); 1/3 are worked in the Variable Wave Pattern (Section A); and 1/3 are worked alternating both patterns (Section B).

SIZE

Women’s XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X, 7X)
Choose a size that’s 2-6 inches/5-15 cm larger than your upper torso. Additional information about modifying circular yoke sweaters for your bust, upper arms, hips, etc.– including the full bust adjustment – can be found in my ebook Yoke Sweater Fit.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest circumference at underarm:

• 32 (36.25, 37.5, 41, 45.25, 46, 50.75, 52.25, 55.75, 57.75, 60.5) inches
• 81.5 (92, 95.5, 104, 115, 117, 129, 132.5, 141.5, 146, 153.5) cm

Length at Back Marker C (shorter side):
15.75 (16, 17, 18.75, 19.25, 20.5, 20.75, 21.75, 22.25, 23, 23) inches
40 (40.5, 43, 47.5, 49, 52, 52.5, 55, 56.5, 58.5, 58.5) cm

MATERIALS
Yarn
Indigodragonfly DK Matter [100% superwash merino; 280 yd/256 m per 3.5 [MC] Ernui and Boredt, The Nihilist Muppets; 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8) skeins

CC colors: Light of the Valkyrie 3 color set
[CC1] 1 skein
[CC2] 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2)
[CC3] 1 (1,2,2,2,2,2,2,2,3,3)

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses a 3-ply DK weight merino. The yarn is round and smooth.

Yoke (CC1, CC2, CC3): Look for variegated yarns with color repeats that range from 5-10 inches/13-25 cm long. The 3 yoke colors should fade easily into each other. Look for colorways that have a common color between them. In the sample, CC1 and CC2 have the same blue-green, and CC2 and CC3 have the same deep blue-violet.

Body: should be a semi-solid.
Kits are available here for yoke only or a full sweater.

Recommended needle size
Always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter’s gauge is unique

• 1 US #3/3.25 mm circular needle, 16-inch/40-cm for starting the yoke
• 1 US #3/3.25 mm circular needle, minimum 28-inch/60-cm for body
• 1 set US #3/3.25 mm your preferred needle for working a small circumference in the round

Notions
11 stitch markers in a variety of colors/styles as follows: 1 BOR marker, 2 markers for section A, 2 markers for section C, 4 markers for raglan shaping, 2 markers for bust darts (optional),
Removeable stitch markers (for marking wave placement)

• Scrap yarn,
• stitch holders or sweater cords for holding stitches
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

GAUGE
23 sts/32 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch (body and sleeves) 23 sts/43 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in Garter ridge pattern (yoke)