Sekhmet by Maria Bourne

Sekhmet

Knitting
May 2020
Light Fingering ?
24 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette
US 4 - 3.5 mm
US 2½ - 3.0 mm
1388 - 2061 yards (1269 - 1885 m)
1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7, 8)
English

Yarn and pattern packs in two different colourways are available here.

Sekhmet is an Egyptian goddess, warrior, protector, healer. She was envisioned as a fierce lioness and her name translates as “the (one who is) powerful or mighty”. She was also called upon to ward off disease, as well as assure a safe passage for the newly deceased to the world of the dead.

My hope is that every time you wear your Sekhmet you will feel that bit closer to the might of the Goddess within you!

The inspiration for this design came from Ancient Egypt. Particularly interpretations of something called Usekh or Wesekh which is a personal ornament, a type of broad collar or necklace, familiar to many because of its presence in images of the ancient Egyptian elite.
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CONSTRUCTION
Sekhmet is a top-down, seamless sweater with a round yoke.
Slipped stitches (mosaic knitting) are used to add colour to the yoke, so only a single colour is used in any given round.

The sweater has a less common method of raising the back. A unique but straightforward technique that doesn’t disrupt the neck area with short rows, yet does what it supposed to beautifully. If you are not familiar with this method I’m sure you’ll love this nifty addition to your knitting techniques arsenal!
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This pattern has been professionally tech edited and tested.

FINISHED BUST CIRCUMFERENCE
81 (86, 96, 106) (116, 126, 136, 146) cm / 32 (34, 38, 42) (46, 50, 54, 58)”
Shown here: Size 3 on a model with 5 cm / 2” ease around bust.

GAUGE
24 sts x 36 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4” in stocking stitch after blocking
31 sts x 70 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4” in slipped stitch pattern after blocking

YARN

Light fingering weight yarn which gives you the required gauge and approx. 246 m / 270 yd per 50 g.
Colour 1 (C1) – dark brown in sample: 276 (290, 305, 320) (334, 349, 363, 378) m / 302 (318, 334, 349) (365, 381, 397, 413) yd Colour 2 (C2) – brown in sample: 36 (38, 40, 42) (44, 46, 48, 50) m / 40 (42, 44, 46) (48, 50, 52, 54) yd
Colour 3 (C3) – beige in sample: 40 (42, 45, 50) (56, 60, 65, 71) m / 43 (46, 49, 55) (61, 66, 71, 77) yd
Colour 4 (C4) – cream in sample: 36 (38, 40, 42) (44, 46, 48, 50) m / 40 (42, 44, 46) (48, 50, 52, 54) yd
Colour 5 (C5) – light blue in sample: 36 (38, 40, 42) (44, 46, 48, 50) m / 40 (42, 44, 46) (48, 50, 52, 54) yd
Colour 6 (C6) – blue in sample: 845 (872, 938, 996) (1063, 1135, 1208, 1286) m / 924 (954, 1026, 1089) (1163, 1241, 1321, 1406) yd
Shown here: JC Rennie Supersoft lambswool 4ply in following colours, C1 - Midnight,
C2 - Nutmeg, C3 - Tusk, C4 - Putty, C5 - Stardust, C6 - Clipper.

NEEDLES

Body & sleeves – circular needle at least 80 cm / 32” long in size needed to obtain the correct gauge (main needle).
Suggested size: 3.5 mm / US 4.
Neck rib & hem rib – circular needle 40 cm / 16” long and two sizes smaller than main needle.
Suggested size: 3 mm / US 2.5
– circular needle 40 cm / 16” long and four sizes smaller than main needle (for Tubular CO).
Suggested size: 2.5 mm / US 1.5
Needle(s) suitable for working small circumferences in the round in main needle size and two sizes smaller for cuff ribbing.
Suggested size: 3 mm / US 2.5

NOTIONS
Tapestry needle, stitch markers, smooth scrap yarn, crochet hook size 3.5 mm / US E (if using crochet chain for provisional CO for underarm).

SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate

Techniques used:
Tubular CO of knitter’s choice (optional), increasing, decreasing, provisional cast on (underarm), regular BO of knitter’s choice.