The Ocean Blooms Sweater is the epitome of elegant simplicity combined with subtle coastal inspiration. With its relaxed fit, dropped shoulders, wide neckline, and three-quarter-length sleeves, this top-down knit has the right amount of technique to challenge the adventurous beginner while offering advanced knitters a relaxing experience. Designed in The Fibre Co.’s Acadia, a luxurious blend of Merino, baby alpaca and silk noil, the sweater has a graceful drape and soft texture that feels exquisite against the skin. Inspired by the wild beauty of coastal landscapes, the designer includes an option to embellish the sweater with embroidery depicting a flower reminiscent of the plumeria that thrives along the Hawaiian coastlines. Alternatively, those favoring a minimalist aesthetic can opt for the sweater’s understated elegance without embroidery. Yarn: For the sweater:The Fibre Co. Acadia (60% Merino wool, 20% baby alpaca, 20% silk, 133 m (145 yd) per 50 g hank) in shade Egret or Granite – 9 [9: 10: 10: 11: 12: 13: 14: 14] hanks. For the embroidery:The Fibre Co. Cirro (40% Suri alpaca, 40% organic cotton, 20% Merino wool, 225 m (246 yd) per 50 g hank) in shades Uranus (A) – 1 hank and Pink Planet (B) – 1 hank. Construction notes: The Ocean Blooms Sweater is knitted from the top down in stockinette stitch, using the “Japanese Shoulders” technique. To begin, stitches for the back neck are cast on, and then the back is worked flat, adding stitches along the right and left shoulders in each row. After the shoulder lines are finished, the back is knitted flat to the underarms and then the back stitches are placed on hold. Next, along each shoulder, stitches for the left and right fronts are picked up and knitted. The left and right fronts are worked flat separately while the neckline is formed by adding stitches. When the neckline shaping is finished on both sides, the left and right fronts are joined by casting on central stitches between them. From here, the front is worked flat to the underarms. At the underarms, the front and back are joined together, and the body is worked down in the round and finished with a 2x2 rib hem. The sleeves are picked up in the round and knitted top down in stockinette stitch. German Short Row shaping is incorporated at the beginning of the sleeves for a perfect fit. The ribbed neckline is picked up last and worked in 2x2 rib. Lastly, after blocking, the sleeves are rolled up and sewn in place to create rolled cuffs. Sizes and measurements: 1 [2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: 8: 9]The given sizes are called Sizes 1-9 and are recommended to fit a chest circumference of: 76-81 [86-91: 97-102: 107-112: 117-122: 127-132: 137-142: 147-152: 157-162] cm (30-32 [34-36: 38-40: 42-44: 46-48: 50-52: 54-56: 58-60: 62-64] in) Finished chest circumference (at underarm): 111 [120: 129: 138: 147.5: 156.5: 165.5: 174.5: 183.5] cm (44.25 [48: 51.75: 55.25: 59: 62.5: 66.25: 69.75: 73.5] in)Finished length (from shoulder to hem): 56.5 [56.5: 57.5: 57.5: 58.5: 59.5: 60.5: 61.5: 62.5] cm (22 [22: 22.5: 22.5: 23: 23.5: 23.75: 24: 24.5] in) Photographs show the sweater with the embroidery knit in Size 4 on a model with a chest circumference of 86 cm (34 in). Photographs of the sweater without the embroidery is knit in Size 3 on a model with a chest circumference of 82 cm (32 in). Recommended ease: Designed with 21–35 cm (9.5–14.25 in) of positive ease at chest circumference. Gauge: 22 sts and 30 rows/rnds to 10 cm (4 in) measured over st st after blocking on 4.5mm (US 7) needles. Errata:The most current version of this pattern is V3. Please note you will be purchasing the latest pattern version. Pattern updates are sent to all customers who have purchased a pattern either through email or a Ravelry message. If you find you are working with an older version please go to our errata page for details of corrections and updates made. You can find the version you are working from by checking the pattern page footers. Languages available: English. Pattern format: This knitting pattern comes as a PDF file, which will be downloadable via a link that will be emailed to you after purchase.
