Maxine Sweater by Laura Penrose

Maxine Sweater

Knitting
November 2024
yarn held together
Fingering
+ Fingering
= DK (11 wpi) ?
20 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches
in stranded colourwork
US 4 - 3.5 mm
US 7 - 4.5 mm
US 6 - 4.0 mm
1028 - 1990 yards (940 - 1820 m)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
English
This pattern is available for £7.00 GBP buy it now

Also available:
Maxine Hot Water Bottle Cover


Sizes 
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Chest Circ: 
78 84.5 95.5 106.5 120 132 143.5 153.5 166.5 179cm
30.75 33.25 37.5 42 47.25 52 56.5 60.5 65.5 70.5

Upper arm circ: 
26 31 34.5 35.5 41.5 44 48.5 51 52 55 cm
10.25 12.25 13.5 14 16.25 17.5 19 20 20.5 21.75

Yarn 
Sample 1 - 2 strands of Natural Sock by Woolly Mammoth Fibre Co (held together), 100% British Wool 400m per100g for MC and all CC’s.
Sample 2 - 1 strand of Hearth Sock by Woolly Mammoth Fibre Co 100% British Wool 330m per 100g held with 1 strand of Isegar Silk Mohair 75% super kid mohair, 25% silk, 212 / per 25g for the MC, Natural Sock held double for CC1 (white/undyed), Hearth Sock held double for CC2 (grey/undyed).

See images for amounts. 

Gauge 
Stranded Colourwork: 20 sts x 24 rounds = 10 x 10cm / 4 x 4”, 4.5mm
Stockinette: 20 sts x 28 rounds = 10 x 10cm / 4 x 4”, 4mm

Needles 
3.5mm (rib), 4mm (stockinette) and 4.5mm (colourwork) circular
needles, 40/80cm / 16/30” cables or needles required to meet gauge

Accessories 
stitch markers, embroidery needle, scissors.

Construction
Worked top down and in the round, the neck is cast on and the yoke worked in stranded colourwork. Short rows are worked to raise the back neck, then sleeves are separated from the body. Options for a
regular hem or a split hem are included, both worked in 2x2 rib. Sleeves are worked in the round with regular decreases and finished with a 2x2 rib cuff. Stitches are picked up for the collar with options for both a turtle neck or a folded neck band. Both cuffs and hem have options for a cinched or relaxed look.

Sizing
This sweater has been graded to have a neutral to relaxed fit. Choose a size with a chest circumference that is 5-12.5cm / 2-5” larger than your own. It is also advised to consider your upper arm circumference
when choosing a size as this can vary greatly in comparison to chest circumference. If you are unsure which size to choose, it is better to size up. If you have broader shoulders or a larger chest but you don’t want excess fabric on the body, use the ‘modify’ section to size up for the yoke whilst maintaining the body size.

Gauge and yarn
This pattern has 2 gauges, one for the colourwork yoke and one for the stockinette body and sleeves. Most knitters will have a tighter gauge for colourwork so it is likely you will need to use a larger needle
size for the yoke. Make sure to work a colourwork and stockinette swatch to make sure your garment fits and the fabric is to your liking. Don’t forget to wash and block your swatches, making sure to not
stretch the fabric.

The sample uses a yarn made from 100% wool which is the best option for colourwork as the characteristics of the natural fibre help the stitches ‘stick’ together and create a cohesive fabric. Superwash and acrylic yarns are not recommended. Sample 1 uses 5 different CC’s plus a MC, sample 2 use2 different CC’s plus a MC, however you can use as many CC’s as you like, with a minimum of 2.

Difficulty 
Intermediate 

Techniques 
Stranded Colourwork
Working in the round 
Increasing/decreasing 
Picking up stitches 
German Short Rows

Additional Photos by @yarn_moomin, @strikkabra @knitsbysuzi