From nature, to science, to art, one thing that always strikes my interest is the mystery of life. I love mythology and am always interested in visual symbolism about life and death. The Wheel of Life sweater was inspired by the mystery of life. The fleur de lis mimics the Lily flower, which is a symbol of birth. So at the bottom of the sweater, we have the planting of flowers or birth of life. In the yoke of the sweater, there are moons and stars. I’m always fascinated by the beauty of stars and their finite life in the Universe. To me, the exploding of a star is a stunning embodiment of death. So, the moons and stars symbolize death. Then, in between the symbols of birth and death, you have what looks mildly like a strand of DNA or the infinity symbol. In my design, this represents the wheel of life, ever turning, always moving.

I wanted the beautiful textures of the two yarns held together and of course, the colorwork to be the focus in this sweater. I chose a color palette that feels very much ‘me’ as a designer. Soft, yet saturated tones tend to be my favorites, and I always like a pairing of jewel tones with a pastel. Silhouette wise, I love things that feel elegant and elevated, that I can see a lot of people wearing and feeling wonderful in, so I always try to bring that to my design work.

Wheel of life is knit using Deluxe DK Superwash and Penna held together. Deluxe DK is a soft, plump, and smooth 100% superwash wool yarn with an impressive color palette. It makes a fantastic choice for garments and accessories. Penna is a lace weight blend of baby suri alpaca, merino wool, and nylon. This yarn has a romantic color palette and a super soft halo you can’t help but touch. It gives an ethereal quality to any piece.

SIZE
XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
sample shown in size Small, worn with 1 inch/2.5 cm of positive ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust: 34 (38, 41.5, 45.5, 49.25, 53.25, 56.75, 60.75, 64.5) inches / 86.5 (96.5, 105.5, 115.5, 125, 135.5, 144, 154.5, 164) cm
Length: 23.25 (23.75, 24.25, 24.75, 25.25, 26, 26.5, 27, 27.5) inches / 59 (60.5, 61.5, 63, 64, 66, 67.5, 68.5, 70) cm

MATERIALS
Yarn
Universal Yarn Deluxe DK Superwash 100% superwash wool; 284yd/259m per 100g ball
A1 color: 828 Pulp; 3 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6) balls
B1 color: 828 Starfish: 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2) ball(s)
C1 color: 846 Mulberry Heather: 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2) ball(s)

Universal Yarn Penna 50% baby suri alpaca, 28% extra fine merino, 22% nylon; 186yd/170m per 25g ball
A2 color: 106 Eggshell: 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10) balls
B2 color: 111 Whisper: 1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) ball(s)
C2 color: 115 Dusk: 1 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) ball(s)
Note: Yarns are held together throughout, with one strand of A1 and A2 held together for Yarn A, one strand of B1 and B2 held together for Yarn B, and one strand of C1 and C2 held together for Yarn C.

Yarn characteristics: Deluxe DK is a bouncy, multi-ply yarn with good stitch definition, while also being machine washable.

Recommended needle size
always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter’s gauge is unique
US #7/4.5mm circular needle, 32-40inch / 80-100 cm long

US #7/4.5mm needles for working a small circumference in the round
US #8/5mm circular needle, 32-40inch / 80-100 cm long

US #8/5mm needles for working a small circumference in the round

US #6/4mm circular needle, 32-40inch /80-100 cm long
US #6/4mm needles for working a small circumference in the round

Notions
stitch markers
yarn needle

GAUGE
20 sts /30 rnds = 4 inches/10cm in St st with middle-sized needles
20 sts /26 rnds = 4 inches/10cm in stranded knitting with largest needles

PATTERN NOTES

This sweater is knit in the round from the bottom up. Sleeves are knit separately and then attached at the yoke.

This sweater uses colorwork patterns on the hemline and yoke. Carry the unused yarn loosely across the back. Unless your tension is loose, floats across the back can become too tight and result in a sweater without enough elasticity.