The Women’s Bank will celebrate its 15th anniversary this May. In honour of the anniversary year, Jonna Hietala – co-owner, CEO and creative director of Laine Publishing – has designed Seela, a relaxed everyday sweater. All pattern sale proceeds are donated to the Women’s Bank and used to support women’s occupational training and entrepreneurship in Africa and Asia. Their goal is to give every woman financial freedom and empower them to write their own story. The campaign runs until the end of 2022.

PATTERN
Seela is a relaxed, basic sweater that you won’t get enough of. Trust me, I have already knitted three Seelas – and the rest of our Laine team has at least six versions on their needles – this pattern is suitable for beginners, too! Seela is knitted from the top down in the round with raglan increases (raglan “seams” are deeper than usual). The yoke is shaped with a few short rows. Seela has a lot of positive ease, also on the sleeves, but it is still easy to wear, all thanks to its light fluffiness.

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9)
Recommended ease: approx. 8–16” / 20–40 cm of positive ease.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust circumference: 44.5 (46.75, 48, 52.5) (56, 60.5, 64, 68.5)” / 111 (117, 120, 131.5, 140) (151.5, 160, 171.5, 180) cm.
Upper arm circumference: 19.75 (20.25, 20.75, 22.5) (22.5, 23, 23, 24.25, 24.75)” / 49 (50.5, 52, 56, 56.5) (58, 58, 60.5, 62) cm.
Length from back neck to hem (exl. collar): 21 (22, 22.5, 22.5, 23) (23.5, 24, 24, 24.5)” / 53 (55, 56, 56, 56) (59, 60, 60, 61) cm or desired length.
Length from underarm to hem: 11.5” / 29 cm or desired length.
Sleeve length from underarm: 16” / 41 cm or desired length.

MATERIALS
Yarn: 7 (7, 7, 8, 8) (8, 9, 9, 10) balls of Børstet Alpakka by Sandnes Garn (96% alpaca, 4% polyamide), 120 yds/ 110 m – 50 g, colourways: 2650 (beige), 8236 (green), 6003 (light blue). Or approx. 740 (772, 792, 864, 902) (960, 999, 1064, 1109) yds/ 678 (708, 726, 792, 827) (880, 915, 975, 1017) m of similar yarn.
Please note that even though Børstet Alpakka is categorised as a bulky weight yarn, it is rather light and airy. Should you wish to substitute it, try to find a similar yarn, i.e. Fashion Light Luxury by Rico Design, Luxair by Schulana, Painted Suri by Araucania…

Needles: US 6 / 4 mm circular needles for ribbing, US 10 / 6 mm needles for Stockinette Stitch.

Notions: 5 stitch markers, tapestry needle, scrap yarn.

GAUGE
14 sts x 20 rows to 4” / 10 cm on US 10 / 6 mm needles in Stockinette Stitch, after blocking.

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN PARTNERS
Women’s Bank
Women’s Bank supports occupational training, entrepreneurship and equality of women in fragile contexts in Africa and Asia. Our resources include active volunteers, important donors and responsible corporate partners. Finn Church Aid manages the Women’s Bank funds as well as executes projects and fundraising. naistenpankki.fi/en/

Laine Publishing
Laine Publishing is a publishing house based in Finland. We publish books focusing on knitting, crafts, food and lifestyle, as well as Laine, our international knit and lifestyle magazine. We draw influence from the beauty of the every-day, cherish natural fibres and want to create timeless, long-lasting garments. Our intention is to inspire you to gather and share, to be part of a community of like-minded knitters, makers and thinkers from near and far. lainemagazine.com