RUSTIK is a round yoke sweater with a top-down construction. The yoke, cuff and hem ribbing design are achieved through a combination of knits and purls, slipped stitches and simple 1/1 cables. Only 1 colour is worked at a time, so this sweater is going to be a great first colourwork project.

Starting with tubular cast on for the neckline, the sweater is worked seamlessly top down. After the yoke pattern, short rows are worked to shape the neckline, then the body and sleeves are separated while casting on stitches for the underarms.

As the sweater is knitted top-down, you can also decide on the length as you go. The pattern and the yardage have been given for an average height of 165 cm / 5‘5’’.

SIZING:
The measurements listed below are for the final sweater after washing and blocking. The pattern comes in 10 sizes (1, 2, 3) (4, 5, 6, 7) (8, 9, 10) with finished sweater bust circumference measuring (86, 94, 102) (110, 120, 128, 135) (142, 150, 158) cm / (34.5, 37,5, 40,75) (44, 48, 51.25, 54) (56.75, 60, 63.25) inches and is meant to be worn with a positive ease of 7-22 cm / 2.75-8.75 inches in the bust. The wearer is 162 cm / 5‘4 with 89 cm / 35 inches bust. Sample 1 (light grey) is shown in size 4 with full length and 21 cm / 8.5 inches of positive ease at the bust, Sample 2 (beige)- in size 3 with cropped length and 13 cm / 5.25 inches of positive ease at the bust

YARN:
Sample 1 (full length): Rustic Merino DK from Woollentwine Fibrestudio, 100% German merino, 100 grams / 285 meters (312 yards). MC - Pebble, CC - Cream.
Sample 2 (cropped): 2ply handspun approx. 100 grams / 260 meters (284 yards). MC - Jacob from Kerry Woollen MIll, CC - Shetland from Hilltop Cloud.

YARN SUBSTITUTIONS:
Heavy DK / worsted weight to achieve gauge. Rustic Merino is technically a DK weight yarn, however it is woolen spun, blooms a lot after washing and produces solid fabric even at a looser gauge. When using worsted spun, smoother yarns, it might be easier to achieve gauge with worsted weight.

YARDAGE:
MC: (670, 741, 784) (827, 912, 955, 1012) (1098, 1140, 1169) meters / (733, 811, 858) (905, 998, 1045, 1107) (1201, 1247, 1279) yards
CC: (242, 257, 280) (285, 314, 356, 399) (428, 470, 520) meters / (265, 281, 306) (312, 344, 389, 437) (468, 514, 569) yards

Yardage is given for a full-length version (as seen in Sample 1) and includes extra yarn for swatching. Please note that your yarn consumption will depend on yarn choice, gauge, the length of your finished garment and any other alterations you might make to the pattern.

GAUGE:
20 sts / 26 rnds per 10 cm / 4 inches in stockinette and 20 sts / 32 rnds in slip stitch pattern on size C needles

NEEDLES:
● Size A Circular needles - 2.5 (US 1.5) mm for tubular cast on only
● Size B Circular needles - 3 mm (US 2.5) for ribbing
● Size C Circular needles - 4 mm (US 6) or other to achieve gauge in stockinette and slip stitch pattern in the round
Please note that needle size is just a suggestion, you might need to change the size of your needles to achieve gauge.

TECHNIQUES USED:
Tubular cast on and bind off (can be substituted for other methods)
Knitting flat (short rows) and in the round
Knit increases and decreases
Wrap and turn short rows (can use other short row methods)
Slipped stitches
1/1 cables
picking up stitches (for underarms)