Stitches Sweater is a gorgeous colorwork sweater with a modern twist. The idea of incorporating text as a graphic element in a sweater had been on my mind for a long time, and it finally came to life in this statement piece. The design is inspired by traditional colorwork knits where decorative motifs are repeated around the yoke, but the text “Stitches” gives it an unexpected and contemporary look.

The sweater is worked top down, first the back of the neck is worked flat to create the neckline shaping. Then the stitches are joined together in the round and the yoke is worked top down until the sleeves. The body and sleeves are worked separately in the round and lastly stitches are picked up for the collar which is worked to double height and then folded.

Difficulty: Intermediate ★★★☆

Pattern available in: English

Sizes:
XXS (XS, S, M) (L, XL, 2XL) (3XL,4XL, 5XL)

Finished garment measurements:
a. Bust circumference: 75 (87.5, 94, 100) (112.5, 125, 137.5) (150, 156.5, 175) cm / 29.5 (34.5, 37, 39.25) (44.25, 49.25, 54.25) (59, 61.5, 69) “
b. Body length from underarm to hem: 31 (32, 32, 33) (34, 35, 36) (37, 39, 39) cm / 12.25 (12.5, 12.5, 13) (13.5, 13.75, 14.25) (14.5, 15.25, 15.25)” (or, desired length).
c. Sleeve length from underarm: 44 cm / 17.25” (or, desired length).
d. Upper sleeve circumference: 37.5 (37.5, 44, 50) (50, 56.5, 56.5) (62.5, 62.5, 69) cm / 14.75 (14.75, 17.25, 19.75) (19.75, 22.25, 22.25) (24.5, 24.5, 27)”.
e. Cuff circumference: 22 (22, 27, 27) (27, 27, 27) (27, 33, 43) cm / 8.75 (8.75, 10.5, 10.5) (10.5, 10.5, 10.5) (10.5, 13, 17)”.

The Stitches Sweater is designed to have 0-10 cm / 0-4” of positive ease. Choose a size that is 0-10 cm / 0-4” bigger than your bust circumference, or even bigger/ smaller depending on how oversized or tight fitting you want the sweater to be.

Cream sample in size M, Kika has a bust of approx. 89 cm / 35” and is 171 cm/ 5’6” tall.

Gauge:
16 sts x 26 rows/ rnds = 10 cm / 4” in Stockinette stitch on 5 mm / US8 needles, after blocking.
18 sts x 30 rnds = 10 cm / 4” in k1 tbl, p1 rib on 4 mm/ US6 needles, after blocking.

Needles:
4 mm / US6: circular needle 40-60 cm / 16-24” for neck opening and 80-100 cm / 32-40” for hem rib, and DPNs for sleeve rib (or use magic loop technique instead).
5 mm / US8: circular needle 40-60 cm / 16-24” for sleeves and 80-100 cm / 32-40” for body, or just an 80-100 cm / 32-40” needle if you’re using Magic Loop technique.

Notions:
Removable stitch markers, tapestry needle, stitch holder or scrap yarn.

Yarn suggestions:

The Stitches Sweater is worked in a DK or Worsted / Aran weight yarn (approx. 100-125m / 110-135 yds per 50 g) with one main color (MC) and three contrasting colors (CC).

You’ll need approx:

MC
375 (400, 425, 450) (475, 500, 525) (550, 575, 600) g /
950 (1000, 1100, 1150) (1200, 1250, 1300) (1350, 1400, 1450) m/
1040 (1110, 1200, 1250) (1300, 1350, 1425) (1500, 1540, 1600) yds DK / Worsted / Aran weight yarn.

CC1, CC2 and CC3
35 (40, 40, 40) (50, 55, 60) (65, 70, 70) g /
80 (100, 100, 100) (125, 140, 150) (160, 175, 175) m /
100 (110, 110, 110) (140, 150, 160) (170, 200, 200) yds DK / Worsted / Aran weight yarn.

Cream sample is knit with these yarns:

The cream colored sample was knitted by holding 1 strand of fingering weight yarn together with 1 strand of Aran weight yarn (MC), and by holding 2 strands of fingering weight yarn together with 1 strand of lace weight yarn (CC1, CC2, CC3).

MC (cream in sample)
175 (200, 225, 250) (250, 250, 275) (300, 325, 350) g Sysleriget Merino Singles (100% superwash merino - 366 m / 400m / 100 g) in the color Sprinkles held together with 250 (275, 300, 350) (350, 375, 425) (450, 450, 475) g Garnstudio Drops Melody (71% alpaca, 25% wool, 4% polyamide - 140 m / 153 yds / 50 g) in the color 01.

CC1 (blue in sample)
35 (40, 50, 55) (60, 70, 80) (80, 90, 100) g Walk Collection Merlino (90% wool, 10% linen - 360 m / 390 yds / 100g) in the color Washed Out held double together with 10 (15, 20, 20) (25, 30, 35) (40, 45, 50) g Knitting For Olive Soft Silk Mohair (70% mohair, 30% silk - 225 m / 246 yds / 25 g) in color Ice Blue.

CC2 (dark brown in sample)
35 (40, 50, 55) (60, 70, 80) (80, 90, 100) g Walk Collection Merlino in the color Italian Roast held double together with 10 (15, 20, 20) (25, 30, 35) (40, 45, 50) g Knitting For Olive Soft Silk Mohair in color Dark Cognac.

CC3 (caramel brown in sample)
35 (40, 50, 55) (60, 70, 80) (80, 90, 100) g Walk Collection Merlino in the color Squirrel held double together with 10 (15, 20, 20) (25, 30, 35) (40, 45, 50) g Knitting For Olive Soft Silk Mohair in color Rust.

Brown sample knit with colors:

MC (chocolate brown)
2 strands of Sandnes Garn Sunday in the color 2543
held together with
1 strand of Isager Silk Mohair in the color 63

CC1 (bubblegum pink):
1 strand Sandnes Sunday in the color Blossom 4213
held together with
1 stand of Filcolana Tilia in the color Flamingo 370

CC2 (almond white):
1 strand of Sandnes Garn Double Sunday in the color Almond 2511
held together with
1 strand of Knitting For Olive Soft Silk Mohair in the color Cloud

CC3 (coffee brown):
1 strand of Sandnes Garn Double Sunday in the color Coffee Bean 4081
held together with
1 strand of Isager Silk Mohair in the color 34