Quick Work in Thick Wool is a delightful, easy-to-knit and easy-to-wear sweater which is knitted using a simple twisted rib pattern combined with a stylish yoke. The sweater is designed to be worn with negative ease, which increases proportionately with size from 9-14cm (3.5-5.5in) for the 1st size to 24-29cm (9.5-11.5in) for the 8th size. This means you should pick a size with a chest circumference smaller than the intended wearer in order for the ribbing to stretch over the body and create an elegant, fitted shape. Information on negative ease is included in the sizing table. If you prefer the sweater to have a slightly more relaxed fit as shown in the photographs, choose a size which has approximately 2.5-5cm (1-2in) negative ease.

Quick Work in Thick Wool is knitted using Bluem Worsted, a worsted or aran weight yarn, worsted spun, with a honey-like softness and a delightful, lustrous finish. Shown here in shade Cranbrooke. This worsted weight yarn enables this pattern knits up extremely quickly and requires only basic knitting skills.

Our model Ruth is shown wearing the third size 81-86cm (32-34in) worn with 2.5cm (1in) of negative ease.

The pattern includes instructions for eight sizes to fit chest measurements between 81cm (32in) and 157cm (62in) and contains clear written instructions plus a comprehensive schematic diagram and sizing chart. Instructions are provided for both working the sweater in one piece in the round on circular needles, or knitted flat as four separate pieces and then sewn together as shown in the original vintage version. In the flat version the yoke shaping decreases are unusually worked on the wrong side of the work, and to maintain the patterning it is essential that these decreases are worked as specified.

Yarn kits are available at Susan Crawford Vintage.

Yarn
Susan Crawford Bluem Worsted, 100% Bluefaced Leicester (165m / 180yds per 100g skein)
4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7) skeins, shade Cranbrooke

Gauge
20 sts and 23 rows = 10cm (4in) over twisted rib pattern worked flat, unstretched after blocking. We obtained this gauge using 5mm needles.

Suggested needles
Worked flat:
1 Pair of 4mm (US 6) needles
1 Pair of 5mm (US 8) needles

Worked in the round:
4mm (US 6) circular needle (60-80cm in length) and DPNs
5mm (US 8) circular needle (40cm in length

Notions
Waste yarn or stitch holders
6 buttons (optional)

Techniques
Simple decreases
Sewing up a garment or knitting in the round