Gradient Mesh - Sweater

GRADIENT MESH - Sweater

This sweater is based on a triple-square motif, which highlights a beautiful gradient of 8, 9 or 10 shades of Milarrochy Tweed (depending on the size) across a neutral background or vice versa. The Gradient Mesh set of beanie and gauntlets, published in Colour Moves, is featuring a doubled-square motif; in this design, I chose to use a bigger allover repeat.

YARN

Fingering weight woollen yarn, 100m / 109yds per 25g, WPI = 14. Yarn used for the sample: Kate Davies Designs Milarrochy Tweed (70% Wool; 30% Mohair; 100m / 109yds per 25g ball) in shades:

A Birkin

B Foxglove

C Gloamin’

D Tarbet

E Ardlui

F Garth

G Stockiemuir

H Cowslip

I Lochan’

J Cranachan

For size 1 you need shades A-H; for sizes 2-4 shades A-I; for sizes 5-8 shades A-J. 

The estimated amount of fingering wool you will need for colourway 1 is: 

Size 1: Shade A 124.5 gr, Shade B 15 gr, Shade C 22 gr, Shade D 19.5 gr, Shade E 19.5 gr, Shade F 19 gr, Shade G 16 gr, Shade H 12.5 gr. 

Sizes 2 (3; 4): Shade A 157 gr (169 gr; 182.5 gr), Shade B 16 gr (19 gr; 20.5 gr), Shade C 25 gr (26.5 gr; 28 gr), Shade D 20 gr (22 gr; 23.5 gr), Shade E 21 gr (23.5 gr; 24.5 gr), Shade F 20 gr (22 gr; 24 gr), Shade G 17.5 gr (19.5 gr; 21.5 gr), Shade H 13.5 gr (15.5 gr; 16 gr), Shade I 24.5 gr (26.5 gr; 28 gr). 

Sizes 5 (6; 7; 8): Shade A 224 gr (238.5 gr; 246 gr; 257 gr), Shade B 32 gr (33.5 gr; 35 gr; 36.5 gr), Shade C 29.5 gr (31 gr; 32.5 gr; 34 gr), Shade D 24.5 gr (26 gr; 27 gr; 29 gr), Shade E 26 gr (28.5 gr; 29 gr; 30.5 gr), Shade F 25.5 gr (27 gr; 27 gr; 28 gr), Shade G 22.5 gr (23 gr; 24.5 gr; 25 gr), Shade H 17 gr (18 gr; 19 gr; 19 gr), Shade I 29.5 gr (31 gr; 32.5 gr; 34 gr) , Shade J 23 gr (23.5 gr; 24.5 gr; 25.5 gr).

The estimated amount of fingering wool you will need for colourway 2 is: 

Size 1: Shade A 122.5 gr, Shade B 16.5 gr, Shade C 25.5 gr, Shade D 23.5 gr, Shade E 21 gr, Shade F 20 gr, Shade G 17.5 gr, Shade H 16 gr. 

Sizes 2 (3; 4): Shade A 156 gr (173 gr; 184.5 gr), Shade B 17.5 gr (20.5 gr; 22 gr), Shade C 29 gr (30.5 gr; 32.5 gr), Shade D 24.5 gr (27 gr; 29 gr), Shade E 22.5 gr (25.5 gr; 26.5 gr), Shade F 21 gr (23 gr; 25 gr), Shade G 19 gr (21.5 gr; 23.5 gr), Shade H 17.5 gr (19.5 gr; 20.5 gr), Shade I 26.5 gr (29 gr; 31.5 gr). 

Size 5 (6; 7; 8): Shade A 227 gr (240 gr; 248 gr; 260 gr), Shade B 36 gr (38 gr; 40 gr; 41 gr), Shade C 34 gr (36 gr; 37.5 gr; 39.5 gr), Shade D 30 gr (32 gr; 33 gr; 35.5 gr), Shade E 28.5 gr (31 gr; 31.5 gr; 33 gr), Shade F 26.5 gr (28 gr; 28.5 gr; 29.5 gr), Shade G 24.5 gr (25 gr; 26.5 gr; 27 gr), Shade H 21.5 gr (22.5 gr; 23.5 gr; 24 gr), Shade I 31.5 gr (33.5 gr; 36 gr; 37.5 gr) , Shade J 23.5 gr (24.5 gr; 25 gr; 26 gr).

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS 

Gauge-size needle(s) of your preferred type for working in the round (for sweater body and sleeves)Below gauge-size needle(s) of your preferred type for working in the round (for rib) Stitch markers Tapestry needle Waste yarn or spare cables to hold sleeves stitches

GAUGE Ribbing: 30 sts and 32 rounds to 10cm / 4in over 1x1 ribbing in the round on below gauge-size needle(s). Use 3mm needle(s) as a starting point for swatching. Main pattern: 27.5 sts and 31 rounds to 10cm / 4in over stranded stockinette in the round on gauge-size needle(s). Use 3.25mm needle(s) as a starting point for swatching.

SIZES

The garment has a positive ease of 5cm/2in and the instructions include 8 sizes. Finished Bust/Waist circumference: 87.5cm 34 1/2in (96cm 37 3/4in; 104.5cm 41 1/4in; 113.5cm 44 3/4in) (122cm 48in; 131cm 51 1/2in; 139.5cm 55in; 148.5cm 58 1/2in)

Select a size above your actual bust measurement with 5cm / 2in positive ease.The sample shown in the photos is knitted in size 2 colourway 1.

PATTERN NOTES

This sweater is knitted from top to bottom. After the neck corrugated rib, where the shades are alternating every round, the sweater is worked in stranded colourwork. It is a raglan construction and after finishing the yoke the sleeves are separated and worked later, one at a time. The construction is very simple and a bit constrained by the pattern motif, as I wanted it to flow as smoothly as possible along the garment, especially on the body. For instance, the length of the garment is dictated by the repeats of the motif that I planned in a mirrored gradient. The shade at the centre of the gradient is worked only once. If a longer sweater is desired, it will be simple to introduce another shade. The garment doesn’t have any back neckline shaping (using short rows), nor any shaping on the back bottom hem, because they wouldn’t fit into the colourwork pattern.It is a unisex garment. In colourway 1 the neutral shade (Birkin) is used as the background colour, while in colourway 2 it is used for the triple-square motif. Of course, it will be easy for knitters to switch to whichever colour option suits them the best.

CHART NOTES

The chart shows the colourway for the collar, bottom edge and cuff ribs, and for the main pattern. The instructions refer to the shades (A, B, C etc) used in colourway 1. The numbers in red are marking the round where the sleeves start. The green lines mark the central shade of the garment.

PLEASE NOTE:

the pattern is for personal use only

Technical Editing: Frauke Urban / www.urbanyarning.com
Design, Photography and Graphics: Claudia Fiocchetti