Dave Brubeck wrote Blue Rondo a la Turk inspired by rhythms used by Turkish street musicians. As a composer, he married two traditions (American jazz, Turkish poly rhythms) with his own melody. In the many recordings of this most familiar of Brubeck's compositions, his fellow musicians improvise further, and have made this song a source of constant creative discovery.
Last spring, Beth Casey of Lorna's Laces and I agreed that their new yarn, Haymarket -- a 100% Blue-Faced Leicester wool -- would make a fine version of the classic Icelandic Lopapeysa. I love those kinds of sweaters, and I was excited to see what effect Lorna's Laces jewel toned palette could have on the form: this was my gig!
The yoke pattern is a riff on a German embroidery motif, but elongated and colored in a way that begins to feel a bit Turkish to me.
A Turkish/German/Lopapeysa? Why not? At the time, I had suggested to a friend that she would enjoy The Mummies of Urumchi, a book by Elizabeth Wayland Barber that reminds us that all our various textile traditions come from shared mothers. All it takes is a little jazz to help us marry the common threads throughout.
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below -- every knitter's
gauge is unique] One 24-32 inch US #7/4.5 mm circular needle US #7/4.5 mm needles for small circumferences in the round US #6/4.0 mm needles for small circumferences in the round
Notions stitch markers yarn needle circular needles in similar or smaller size to serve as sleeve stitch holders
scrap yarn
GAUGE
20 sts/26 rounds = 4 inches in single color stockinette stitch
20sts/26 rounds = 4 inches in stranded colorwork pattern, after blocking
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
Rondo is knit seamlessly from the bottom up. Sleeves and body are knit separately and joined to finish as one piece. Underarm holes are closed using Kitchener stitch. Yoke chart is graded according to size.
Charts The charts for this pattern are very large.
Each fits on a letter-sized
page.
Click below and print the appropriate page for the size you are knitting.
SLEEVES
Using smaller needles for small circumference and MC, CO 60[64, 72, 76, 80, 88, 92, 96, 100. 108] sts. Place marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist.
Ribbing round: [K2, p2] around.
Work ribbing as set for 1.5 inches.
Change to larger needle for small circumference and work even in St st until sleeve measures 8 inches from CO edge, or to desired length to underarm.
Final round: K to 6[7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 9, 9] sts before marker, place next 12[14, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 19, 19] sts on stitch holder or scrap yarn.
Place remaining sts on holding needle and set aside.
BODY
Using smaller long circular needle and MC, CO 168[180, 196, 208, 224, 236, 252, 264, 292, 308] sts.
Place marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a second marker after st 84[90, 98, 104, 112, 118, 126, 132, 146, 154], for the side seam.
Ribbing round: [K2, p2] around.
Work ribbing as set for 2 inches.
Adding contrast colors as indicated, work Hem Chart 12[13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22] times around.
Next round, start waist decreases: *K2, k2tog, k to 4 sts before marker, ssk, k2; rep from * once more. 4 sts decreased.
Work 6 rounds even.
Repeat the last 7 rounds 3 times more. 152[166, 180, 194, 208, 222,
Next round, start waist increases: *K2, m1, k to 2 sts before marker, m1, k2; rep from * once more. 4 sts increased.
Work 8 rounds even.
Repeat the last 9 rounds 3 times more. 168[182, 196, 210, 224, 238, 252, 266, 294, 308] sts.
Continue even in MC until piece measures 16 inches from CO edge, or to desired length to underarm.
Next round: Work to last 6[7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 9, 9] sts before first marker, place next 12[14, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 19, 19] sts on stitch holder or scrap yarn, removing marker as you come to it. Knit across 48[50, 58, 61, 64, 71, 73, 76, 81, 89] held sts of first sleeve. Knit across back sts to 6[7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 9, 9] sts before second marker, place next 12[14, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 19, 19] sts on stitch holder or scrap yarn, removing marker as you come to it. Knit across 48[50, 58, 61, 64, 71, 73, 76, 81, 89] held sts of second sleeve. Place marker to mark new start of round. 240[254, 284, 302, 320, 346, 360, 378, 418, 448] sts.
In next round, adjust st count by increasing or decreasing evenly around so that st total is 234[252, 288, 306, 324, 342, 360, 378, 414, 450] sts; in other words, -6[-2, +4, +4, +4, -4, 0, 0, -4, +2].
Work 0[0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 3, 3, 4, 5] rounds even.
Note: You'll now establish the Yoke Chart.
For 1st size, work Yoke Chart 1
For 2nd and 3rd sizes, work Yoke Chart 2.
For 4th size, work Yoke Chart 3.
For 5th, 6th, 7th sizes, work Yoke Chart 4.
For 8th and 9th sizes, work Yoke Chart 5.
For 10th size, work Yoke Chart 6.
Work Yoke Chart according to size using contrast colors as indicated, including decreases where indicated, through rnd 41[41, 45, 45, 45, 48, 48, 48) of chart. 117[112, 128, 136, 126, 133, 140, 147, 161, 150]sts.
Work 0[1, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 3, 4, 5] rounds even.
Shape Back Neck: Row 1 [RS]: K61[59, 67, 70, 66, 69, 73, 76, 72, 78] sts, wrap and turn.
Ribbing round: [K2, p2] around,
Work ribbing as set for 1 inch. BO all sts loosely.
FINISHING
Using Kitchener Stitch, close underarm holes. Weave in all ends. Wet block and lay flat to dry.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Julia Farwell-Clay lives and knits in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in a old white house with an overgrown garden. If the bike isn't propped by the back door, it's because either she's out for the day, or it's snowing.
Rondo is knit seamlessly from the bottom up. Sleeves and body are knit separately and joined to finish as one piece. Underarm holes are closed using Kitchener stitch. Yoke chart is graded according to size. 
