The Spinnaker Swoncho is knitted seamlessly, top-down, in-the-round, with a generous fit, starting with the neckband. Choose from a tapered, balloon, kimono or short sleeves to suit your style. The Spinnaker Swoncho can also be made using different combinations of yarn, from a single strand of DK to Chunky to holding together your favourite hand dyed 4ply and lace weight flooff.

Our sample was made using Life In The Long Grass DK Twist extra-fine merino in shade ‘Harbour’ and the tapered, 7/8 sleeve and a cropped body in the first size. This used exactly 3 skeins of DK Twist, 230m, 100gm.

Kits can be found here.

CONSTRUCTION:
The neck, yoke, body and sleeves are worked in the round, top-down on circular needles. Firstly casting on the neckband, rows of twisted rib, then German short rows to shape the back neck. The yoke then has gradual radiating increases, which is finally split into raglan shaping into the underarm. The sleeve stitches are left on hold, while the body is worked in the round. Stitches are cast on under the arm and the body is worked to the hem without shaping and finally finished with rows of twisted rib. The sleeve stitches and under arm stitches are then picked up and worked in the round with or without decreases depending on the type of sleeve you choose. The cuffs are finished on slightly smaller needles to keep them neat, or you can leave them on 6mm for a floaty fit. The Spinnaker has several sleeve options and can be knit to any body or arm length being a top-down knit.

There are many options to customise your Spinnaker Swoncho, with 3 body lengths (cropped, midi, long), and 4 different sleeve styles (tapered, kimono, balloon and short sleeve)

SIZING
The Spinnaker Swoncho is meant to have a generous 15-20cm of positive ease (bigger than your chest size).
Size 1 & Size 2: Finished bust: 130cm, 140cm. Front neck to hem: 40cm (cropped). Back neck to hem: 47cm (cropped). Side seam from underarm to hem: 20cm (cropped). Sleeve from neck to cuff: 72cm. Sleeve from underarm to cuff: 35cm. (long, tapered).

GAUGE
14sts x 20rows per 10cm square using 6mm circular needles in-the-round in stocking stitch, using DK SW merino, after washing and blocking.

YARN SUGGESTIONS
You can use a variety of yarns for the Spinnaker. From holding double a 4ply/fingering with a strand of mohair, or DK, Aran or chunky. Linens and cottons work well as a Summer or light weight version.

YARN REQUIREMENTS(Approx.)
Cropped body, long sleeves: 690m (920m).
Regular length body (65cm), kimono sleeves: 920m (1150m).
Cropped body, short sleeve: 550m (650m).
ALL YARNAGES ARE APPROXIMATE AND ARE A GUIDE ONLY.

The sample used exactly 3 skeins of LITLG DK Merino Twist 230m, 100gm, so if you choose to make it longer in any way or choose the balloon sleeve, you will need more than 3 skeins.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
6mm x 40cm (neckband + sleeves) & 6mm x 80cm/100cm) (yoke, body, hem) circular needles (Or needles required to meet the gauge and technique). 5mm double pointed needles for cuffs on long sleeves. Approx 6 stitch markers, wool needle, stitch holders or scrap yarn to hold sleeve stitches.

SKILLS REQUIRED
Knitting on circular needles in the round, top down. German short rows, (gsr), and increasing by making one (m1). Casting on mid-row with a cable/backwards loop cast-on.

ABBREVIATIONS
CO= cast on stitches using a backwards loop. Insert the needle between the two stitches and pull the yarn through and onto the LHN.
K1 = knit 1. P1 = purl 1. Tbl = through the back of the loop. K2tog, knit 2 together. WS = wrong side of work. RS = right side of work. BOR = beginning of round. Pm = place marker. Sm = slip marker. M1 = make one by lifting up the bar of yarn between stitches, placing it on the left hand needle LHN and knitting it through the back loop, so as not to make a hole in the work.
GSR = German Short Rows: After turning the work, keep yarn in front. Slip the next stitch onto the RH needle and pull the yarn back over the needle firmly to the back of the work, creating a firm ‘V’ over the needle and knit or purl the next stitch. You will knit this as one stitch when required. Knit or purl the next stitch as required.

PRINTED pattern available here: https://bantryyarns.ie/spinnaker-swoncho-printed-pattern/