The designs for Open and Opening Heart were inspired by Japanese lace patterns, and how they use twisted stitches to create defined shapes. I find it easier to navigate lace patterns with the right side facing, so once I had a lace chart sorted, I wanted to try to make it work in a circular yoke.

Opening Heart came first, knit in a DK yarn. I love how the stitch pattern reads at a large scale, but I wanted to try to make another version where the lace doesn’t end at the yoke. To do this and keep proper sizing options, I needed to go down to fingering weight yarn. The result is this pattern, Open Heart. The switch to the lighter yarn adds a delicacy and a lightness to the pullover that I think is something special.

You can buy both patterns together in the eBook Open(ing) Heart.

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Open Heart is knit from the top down in the round with a circular yoke. The collar is cast on first, then short rows are used to shape the neckline. The lace chart is established and carries throughout the sweater. The yoke is divided into sleeve and front and back stitches, with the sleeve stitches put on hold. Underarm stitches are cast on, and the body continues in the round in the lace pattern to the hem. The sleeves are then taken off of hold, and worked from the top down in the same lace chart as the bodice.

Sizing
Sizes XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)

Finished Measurements (Bust)
34.5 (38, 40.5, 46.75, 49.25) (54, 57.25, 60.25, 65.25) inches, OR
86 (95.5, 101.5, 117, 123)(135.5, 143, 150.5, 163) cm

Recommended Ease 2-5” (5-12.5 cm)
The garment is shown in size M with approximately 4“ (10 cm) ease at the bust.

Gauge
On US Size 3 (3.25mm) needles, after blocking:
26 sts/ 38 rows in 4” (10cm) in Lace in the round

Yarn
Julie Asselin Leizu Fingering, Fingering Weight, 90% SW Merino and 10% Silk, 420 yards (385 metres) per 115g skein,
OR
Any Fingering weight yarn with similar properties that knits to gauge.

954 (1106, 1208, 1389, 1411) (1696, 1768, 1999, 2152) yards, OR
875 (1014, 1107, 1274, 1294) (1554, 1621, 1832, 1973) meters

Techniques Used
Alternating Cable Cast-on
German Short Rows
Lace Knitting, and Reading Lace Charts
Purlwise Increases (m1Rp, m1Lp)
Twisted Stitches (k1tbl)