Sweater Mermaid
is a casual oversized sweater with extravagant handwork. The patterns look sophisticated and are still easy to follow. The beautiful name was my daughter’s idea. I am flattered by her association and feel even more charmingly dressed in this new garment. Do you also need a Mermaid Sweater?

Knitting Skills & Technique
Intermediate knitters,
Top-down construction, slip sts pattern, Short Rows, seamless

Finished Knitted Size
Available in 6 sizes
Positive ease with 14-22 cm / 5½- 8½”
Chest width of finished garment:
(cm): 99-111-123-135-147-159
(inch): 39-44-48½-53-58-62½

Yarn
Worsted/light Aran
John Arbon Textiles Appledore, Aran
40% Devon Closewool / 40% Romney / 20% Exmoor Blueface
yardage 166m/100g
Material quantity (g): 600-700-700-800-800-900
Gauge (10cm x 10cm) & Needles (washed and blocked)
Plain stitches/Chart E: 20 sts x 26 Rows - EU size 5.0mm / US 8
Rib/Chart A: 19 sts x 28 Rows - EU size 4.5mm / US 7
or needle sizes to achieve given gauge

Notions
Stitch marker, tapestry needle

General Information for Construction
Mermaid sweater is worked top down, starting with the back. The shoulder slope is shaped with Short Rows. Knit back and forth to the end of the armhole height. The stitches of the back are then placed on hold.
Stitches for the left front piece are picked up from the right shoulder slope (WS!). The shoulder slope is shaped again with
Short Rows, and the neckline is formed with increases. Once the desired neckline depth is achieved, the stitches are placed on hold.
Proceed in a mirrored fashion for the right front piece.
At the end of the neckline, both front pieces are joined and worked in Rows until reaching the same height as the back piece.
Next, all pieces are joined. To ensure the pattern is correct, decreases must be worked on the first continuous pattern round across front and back. Rounds are then worked to the desired hem length.
Stitches are then picked up from the armscye to create sleeves. The shoulders are shaped with Short Rows to prevent excess fabric under the arms. The sleeve slope is specified very accurately so that the pattern can be shaped continuously. Check and adjust arm length before binding off. Finally, stitches for the collar are picked up along the neckline, and a patterned chain is knit in the round as a finishing touch.