ALPACA SOFT SWEATER
DIFFICULTY = Intermediate
YARN = ALPACA SOFT line H.Couture by Laines du Nord, 6 balls col. 012 light blue
NEEDLES = size 4 mm circular needle for the bands – Size 6 mm circular needle for everything else
OTHERS = Darning needle
Cast on – 1X1 rib - stockinette stitch - increases - decreases
RS = right side
WS = wrong side
SM = stitch marker
r = row(s)
st(s) = stitch(es)
w&t = “wrap and turn” (short-row technique)
k = knit
ktbl = knit through the back loop
yo = yarn over
tog = together
bind off = bind off(bind off the stitches using the skp technique).
rep = repeat/ing
foll = following
SIZE = M oversized fit (the instructions refer to size M; the first number in parentheses refers to size S and the second to size L)
Procedure
NECK CAST ON
Using size 4 mm circular needle, cast on 60 stitches (60 for size S - 64 for size L), work first round in stockinette stitch, and 6 rounds in 1x1 rib.
Place one stitch marker at the first stitch.
After working the band, switch to size 6 mm circular needles and knit every round, obtaining stockinette stitch.
Across the first round, increase one stitch every 5 stitches (=75 stitches). Work the same for size S. For size L work 1 increase every 4 stitches (= 80 stitches).
Knit 2 rounds with no increases.
One round with one increase every 5 stitches (= 90 stitches). For size S work 1 increase every 15 stitches (= 80 stitches) and add 1 stitch at the end (= 81 stitches). For size L always work 1 increase every 5 stitches (= 96 stitches).
Knit 3 rounds without increases (approx. 2 cm).
Knit one round, increasing 1 stitch every 3 stitches (=120 stitches). Size S = 108 stitches – Size L = 128 stitches.
Knit 5 rounds without increases (approx. 3 cm).
Knit one round, increasing 1 stitch every 4 stitches (=50 stitches). (135 - 160).
Knit 5 rounds without increases (approx. 3 cm).
Knit one round, increasing 1 stitch every 5 stitches (= 180 stitches). (162 - 192).
Knit 5 rounds without increases (approx. 3 cm).
Work one round with increases every 6 stitches for a total of 210 stitches. (189 - 224).
Knit 5 rounds without increases (approx. 3 cm).
Knit one round increasing 1 stitch every 7 stitches (=240 stitches). (216 - 256).
Knit 16 (14 - 18) rounds without increases (approx. 23 cm) (approx. 20 cm - 25 cm).
(Leave 48 stitches for each sleeve shaping.)
Across the next round, leave 48 stitches (42 - 52), then cast on 6 stitches (6 - 8), then knit 72 stitches (66 - 76), leave 48 stitches (42 - 52) or the second sleeve, then cast on 6 stitches (6 - 8), and knit the remaining 72 stitches. (66 - 76)
Continue working the body (=156 stitches, i.e. 72 72 for front and back 6 6 for armholes) (144 for size S and 168 for size L) as follows: knit about 64 rounds (60 - 68), 33 cm from the armholes approx. (30 - 36).
Across the next round, decrease 14 stitches (k2tg) evenly distributed (= 142 stitches). 12 decreases for size S (= 132 stitches). 14 decreases for size L (154 stitches).
Knit 12 rounds without increases (approx. 5 cm).
Switch to size 4 mm circular needles, and work 6 rounds in 1x1 rib (as given for neckline band)
At last, bind off the stitches as they appear.
SLEEVES
Using size 6 mm circular needles, pick-up 48 (42 - 52) held stitches and 6 (6 - 8) new stitches = 54 (48 - 60) stitches and work the sleeves from the center of 6 (6 - 8) new stitches, (center of the armhole) and place a stitch marker.
Knit 35 rounds (35 - 38) = 18 (18 - 20) cm approx. from the armhole (SM).
Knit one round, increasing 1 stitch every 6 stitches = 63 (56 - 70) stitches.
Knit 47 (47 - 50) rounds without increases (approx. 21 cm) (approx. 21 - 24 cm).
Work one decreasing round evenly distributed.
Decrease 15 stitches = 48 stitches (12 decreases for size S = 44 stitches - 14 decreases for size L = 56 stitches).
Work one decreasing round evenly distributed.
Decrease 16 stitches = 32 stitches (12 decreases for size S = 32 stitches - 16 decreases for size L = 40 stitches).
Switch to size 4 mm circular needles and work 6 rounds in 1x1 rib (as given for neckline band).
At last, bind off the stitches as they appear.
Work the second sleeve as given for first one.
FINISHING
Weave in all ends.
