The Luz Sweater is a textured raglan sweater which uses a mixture of a slip-stitch pattern and Stockinette stitch.

The yoke is initially worked flat in lieu of short rows, and is then joined in the round and shaped with compound increases for a consistent fit across the size range. When the yoke is complete, you will separate the body and sleeves and work the length of the body before applying the collar to add structure to the project. Finally, the sleeves are worked. The sweater has lots of small details, like lateral braids, mixed stitch textures, and half-twisted rib with eyelets, which makes it an engaging and delicate knit.

I knit this sweater with the intention of wearing it to my wedding. The name of my dress was Luz, so I though the sweater ought to have the same name. I didn’t end up needing it (champagne and adrenaline are a powerful combination..!), but I always feel special when I wear my Luz Sweater and I hope you will too!

Materials and Fit

Notions: You will need 3 mm / US 2.5 circular needles with a 40-cm 16-in and 80-cm / 32-in or 100-cm / 40-in cord, and 4 mm / US 6 circular needles with a 40-, 60-, and 80-cm / 16-, 24-, and 32-in cord, and possibly also a 100-cm / 40-in cord if you would find that more comfortable for working the body stitches.

You will also need something to hold resting stitches like a piece of scrap yarn, a stitch holder, or a spare circular needle, some stitch markers (I recommend having clip-on and slidable markers if possible), and a darning needle to finish your sweater. Additionally, you might find it helpful to have a crochet hook (a 3.5 mm / US E should be fine) to finish the lateral braids. I don’t find it necessary to have one, but the tutorial linked below uses one and many test knitters found it beneficial.

Tension: 22 stitches x 36 rows/rounds in the slip-stitch pattern, and 22 stitches x 32 rows/rounds in Stockinette stitch on 4 mm / US 6 needles = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 in.

Yarn: You will need approximately 1070 (1120) 1170 (1210), 1280 (1320) 1370 (1420), 1480 (1580) 1700 (1820) m / 1170 (1230) 1280 (1320), 1400 (1440) 1490 (1560), 1620 (1730) 1850 (2000) yds of both a fingering- and a lace-weight yarn if working with 2 strands, or a light DK-weight yarn if working with a single strand.

Please note that I have rounded all figures given here up to the nearest 10 m / 10 yds for ease of reading. These estimates are based on testers’ feedback and are generous.

For my sample, I used Gepard Wild & Soft (60% merino wool, 40% wild tussah silk; 50 g = 240 m / 262.5 yds) in the shade 101 Off White, held with Knitting for Olive Soft Silk Mohair (70% mohair, 30% silk; 25 g = 225 m / 246 yds in the shade Limestone (formerly known as Putty).

If you want to use the same yarns, this works out to be 5 (5) 5 (5-6), 6 (6) 6 (6), 7 (7) 7-8 (8) skeins of Gepard Wild & Soft and 5 (5) 6 (6), 6 (6) 6-7 (7), 7 (7) 8 (8-9) skeins of Knitting for Olive Soft Silk Mohair.

If you are using a different yarn, more or less any combination of fingering- and lace-weight yarns, or any light DK-weight yarn should work nicely here.

Sizing and ease: The Luz Sweater has a recommended positive ease of 9–15 cm / 3.5–6 in for Sizes A-H and 5-15 cm / 2-6 in for Sizes I-L around the chest (or the widest part of your torso). However, if you wanted less ease, you are welcome to choose a smaller size relative to your chest measurement and vice versa.

Size: A (B) C (D), E (F) G (H), I (J) K (L)

Chest measurement (cm): 75-80 (80-85) 85-90 (90-95), 95-100 (100-105) 105-110 (110-115), 115-125 (125-135) 135-145 (145-155)
Chest measurement (in): 29.5-31.5 (31.5-33.5) 33.5-35.5 (35.5-37.5), 37.5-39.25 (39.25-41.25) 41.25-43.25 (43.25-45.25), 45.25-49.25 (49.25-53.25) 53.25-57 (57-61)

Actual circumference of garment at chest (cm): 89 (94.5) 100 (105.5), 111 (114.5) 120 (125.5), 131 (140) 151 (160)
Actual circumference of garment at chest (in): 35 (37.25) 39.25 (41.5), 43.75 (45) 47.25 (49.5), 51.5 (55) 59.5 (63)

Yoke depth (cm): 17 (17.5) 17.5 (18), 18.5 (18.5) 19 (19.5), 20.5 (21) 22 (22.5)
Yoke depth (in): 6.75 (7) 7 (7), 7.25 (7.25) 7.5 (7.75), 8 (8.25) 8.75 (8.75)

Body length from cast-on edge to hem at centre back (cm): 49.5 (50) 50 (50.5), 51 (51) 51.5 (52), 53 (53.5) 54.5 (55)
Body length from cast-on edge to hem at centre back (in): 19.5 (19.75) 19.75 (19.75), 20 (20) 20.25 (20.5), 20.75 (21) 21.5 (21.5)

Sleeve circumference at bicep (cm): 30 (32) 32.5 (33.5), 35.5 (36.5) 38 (39), 40 (43.5) 48 (52)
Sleeve circumference at bicep (in): 11.75 (12.5) 13 (13.25), 14 (14.25) 15 (15.5), 15.75 (17.25) 19 (20.5)

Sleeve length (cm): 48
Sleeve length (in): 19

Techniques include leaning increases and decreases, establishing and working in a textured stitch pattern (i.e., increasing and decreasing in pattern), working flat and in the round, picking up stitches along a cast-on edge, working lateral braids, working a tubular cast-off, and working an applied folded collar. This isn’t a beginner-friendly pattern, but if you feel comfortable working with a textured stitch pattern then this should be do-able for you. I am always happy to help via email.