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

This pattern came first, knit in a DK yarn, then Open Heart was developed in fingering weight yarn so the lace could continue through the yoke. I love how the stitch pattern pops in DK yarn and reads at this large scale. Hopefully you do too!

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

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Opening 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 then established and carries through to just before the underarm. 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 to the hem. The sleeves are taken off of hold, and worked from the top down.

Sizing
Sizes XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
Finished Measurements (Bust)
32.75 (36, 40, 44.75, 48.75) (52.75, 56, 60.75, 64) inches, OR
82 (90, 100, 112, 122) (132, 140, 152, 160) cm

Recommended Ease 2 - 6” (5 - 15 cm)
The garment is shown in size M with 4“ ease at Bust.

Gauge
On US Size 6 (4 mm) needles, after blocking:
20 sts/ 30 rows in 4” (10cm) in Stockinette stitch in the round

Yarn
Brooklyn Tweed Arbor, DK weight, 100% American Targhee wool, 145 yards (132 metres) per 50g skein,
OR
Any DK weight yarn with similar properties that knits to gauge.

838 (940, 970, 1158, 1306) (1401, 1555, 1721, 1903) yards, OR
769 (862, 889, 1062, 1198) (1285, 1427, 1578, 1745) meters.

Techniques Used
Alternating Cable Cast-on
German Short Rows
Lace knitting, reading Lace charts
Purlwise Increases (m1Rp and m1Lp)
Twisted stitches