https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovg16xcXup8
How to knit linen stitch
Thoughts on long color repeats and where to put stripes: http://tutorials.knitpicks.com/stripes/
My gauge 14st 28rows 10cms 7mm metal circs after wet blocking. I like the fabric so knitting the M size should give me a smaller S size, rather than buying new 8mm needles.
German twisted CO 80sts with 40cm14号6.3㎜. Running alternating rows of two similar skeins to stretch the color sections in the yoke.
Single for darker red and then two skeins alternating for orange!
How much yarn did you use?
297g total. Equivalent to 6 skeins, but in order to set up the color striping I cannibalized another skein so I needed 7 skeins, and have some individual colors left. I doubled the skeins knitting the same color twice in alternating rows in body and yoke to get wider color stripes. In the sleeves using single skeins I flipped the color grading at the turquoise yoke edge so that the turquoise stripe is a focal point of interest and the only time the color appears in the sweater.
Did you meet gauge?
After wet blocking, my gauge is all over the place. In the yoke I am at 14 sts/30 rows, in the body I am at 15sts/30 rows, and in the arms I am at 17sts/28rows. My gauge is particularly tight over magic loop… and I made the mistake of gauge blocking with my circs but not knitting in the round… fortunately it fits, but not exactly with much negative ease. I think for a loose fit, I would have to go up two sizes, not just one ( I went for an M hoping to get an S size and am closer to an XS).
What is the finished size of your sweater?
Neck Opening: 57cm
Yoke Depth excl. collar: 21.5cm
Bust circ.: 92cm
Total Length from Top of Shoulder: 52cm
Body Length: 30.5cm
Upper sleeve circ.: 30cm
Underarm Sleeve length: 30cm
Cuff circ.:31cm slightly flared by JSSB
I realized due to gauge issues I was getting a tighter fit than the 3” negative ease the pattern suggests, so with the designer’s permission I made this particular sweater shorter in the body and sleeves. I’m active so I don’t like long sleeves anyway. Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretch Bindoff looks really cute with this linen stitch pattern and gives a slight A-line flare to both cuffs and hem which I really like.

Did you follow the written pattern? The pattern is well thought out using KFB increases which match the linen pattern. I followed it carefully throughout the yoke and into the body. I shortened the body due to not meeting gauge and getting a tighter fit. For the sleeves I included two extra stitches either side of the underarm between the backloop cast on (6sts) and the yoke stitches, similar to picking up extra stitches at the top of a thumb gusset. I have hard working, well developed arms, so need plenty of room in the sleeve. As a result and because my biceps is also large, I didn’t do any of the arm shaping suggested in the pattern, just knit straight down (with the designer’s permission). I also shortened the sleeves for practical purposes (doggie mama).
Were the instructions clear? The instructions were clear and detailed. Taking gauge knitting in the round and wet blocking as suggested is vital for sizing with this pattern. The pattern leaves you free to choose your own CO and BO, and gives detailed instructions on the yoke shaping and yoke, which are very helpful and easy to follow, marking finished rows or sections in my printed pattern with a pen and post-its.
Was the layout easy to follow?
Perfect. I printed it out and took it on holiday, and it was fine. I particularly like the wee diagram showing the sweater measurements and detailed sizes on the final page for double-checking the knitting.
Are you pleased with the results?
Couldn’t be more pleased! I was a bit worried about the fit what with my gauge swings, but after wet blocking it’s relaxed in all the right places and fits perfectly. Striking colors, I think of it as my “Chakra Dance” pullover, and the color work and sizing is totally me. I’m particularly happy with the orange in the yoke, to give my face sunshine, and love the pinks and reds. The linen stitch works great with Kureyon. Up to now I’ve only knitted summer cotton and a sweater for DH linen stitch, so I’m really happy with this new idea in Noro fabric. Thank you, Natsuko!