Autumn and winter can get a bit dull and grey in Yorkshire, and I wanted to create something to give me a bit of a zingy pop of cheer for cloudier days. Not very many people suit a whole sweater made of day-glow yarn (and I'm certainly not one of them!) so the brightness is balanced against a calmer backdrop. I love the combination of denim blue and the acid greeny yellow of Jessica of Ginger Twist's hand-dyed yarn, but I think it would also look great with a raspberry pink and pale biscuit, or what about carrot orange on coal grey?
A modern twist on a traditional top-down circular yoke Fair-Isle sweater, Cubes combines the speed of a chunky cropped sweater with the interest of a little bit of geometric colour-work and trims which give you the opportunity to add a real pop of colour to the darkening days.
The sweater is designed to fit closely with one or two inches of positive ease, but would also look good with slight negative ease. If you are between sizes, I recommend making the smaller size, or combining sizes to suit you. As it's knit from the top down in one piece, so you can try it on as you go.
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below -- every knitter's
gauge is unique] 1 set US #10/6mm double-pointed needles 1 US #10/6mm circular needle, 24 inches or longer [longer needle recommended for larger sizes]
Notions yarn needle
stitch markers - at least 2 distinct ones for shaping stitch holders or waste yarn
GAUGE
16 sts/20 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
Swatch carefully to ensure gauge is even on stockinette stitch as well as the stranded colorwork areas.
DIRECTIONS
YOKE
With CC and circular needle CO 72[72, 76, 76, 80, 80, 80] sts. Place marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.
Work 2x2 rib until work measures 0.5 inch from cast-on edge.
Begin working Cubes Chart, working 23[26, 28, 31, 34, 38, 42] repeats per rnd.
Work even until yoke measures 8[8.5, 9, 9.25, 9.5, 9.5, 9.75] inches
Divide sleeves from body:
Work 37[41, 42, 46, 50, 58, 66] sts and place on hold (sleeve); CO 4[5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7] sts, pm for side, CO 4[5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7] sts for underarm; work 55[63, 70, 78, 86, 94, 102] sts for Back; work 37[41, 42, 46, 50, 58, 66] sts and place on hold (sleeve); CO 4[5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7] sts, pm for side (this is the new beg of rnd), CO 4[5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7] sts for underarm; work 55[63, 70, 78, 86, 94, 102] sts for Front.
126[146, 160, 180, 196, 216, 232] sts, work even to beg of rnd marker.
BODY Next Rnd: K Front sts to side marker, sm, k17[20, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34] sts, place a distinct marker for shaping, k 21[23, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34] sts, place a distinct marker for shaping, k to end.
K 10[5, 1, 2, 3, 3, 3] rnds even.
Dec Rnd: [Ssk, k to 2 sts before underarm marker, k2tog] twice. 4 sts dec'd
K 4 rnds even.
Rep the last 5 rnds 3[2, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4] more times. 110[134, 140, 160, 176, 196, 212] sts
Dec Rnd 2: Ssk, k to 2 sts before side marker, k2tog, sm, ssk, k to shaping marker, sm, ssk, k to 2 sts before shaping marker, k2tog, sm, k to 2 sts before end of rnd, k2tog. 6 sts dec'd
K 4 rnds even.
Repeat the last 5 rnds 0[2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1] more times. 104[116, 128, 148, 164, 184, 200] sts
Work even if necessary until body measures 7[7, 7.25, 7.5, 7.75, 7.75, 7.75] inches from underarm.
Cut MC and join CC.
Work 2x2 rib for 2 inches.
BO loosely in patt.
SLEEVES
Place all held sleeve sts on dpns or circular needle. 37[41, 42, 46, 50, 58, 66] sts. With MC, beg at one end of underarm, pick up and k4[5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7] sts for underarm, pm, pick up and k4[5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7] sts. Join to work in the round and work to marker. This is the beg of rnd. 45[51, 52, 58, 62, 72, 80] sts.
Work even until sleeve measures 1 inch from underarm.
Dec Rnd: K1, k2tog, k to 3 sts before end of rnd, ssk, k1. 2 sts dec'd
Work 5[5, 5, 4, 4, 3, 3] rnds even.
Rep the last 6[6, 6, 5, 5, 4, 4] rnds 5[8, 8, 11, 12, 17, 21] more times. 33[33, 34, 34, 36, 36, 36] sts
Sizes M & L only: Next Rnd: K1, k2tog, k to end. 33 sts
ALL SIZES
Work even until sleeve measures 16.5[17, 17, 17.5, 17.5, 18, 18] inches or to wrist.
Work Sleeve Chart once.
Cuffs
Work 15 rnds in 2x2 rib, or until sleeve meets bottom of thumb.
Working FLAT, work 6 rows in 2x2 rib or until sleeve meets top of thumb.
Rejoin to work in the round.
Work 6 rnds in 2x2 rib.
BO loosely in patt.
FINISHING
Block to measurements according to yarn instructions.
Weave in ends.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Lauren took up fibre crafts as a way of making PhD-procrastination-time more productive and less guilt-inducing. When she's not knitting or spinning, writing her thesis or trying to save libraries, she's usually walking about on Ilkley Moor.
Swatch carefully to ensure gauge is even on stockinette stitch as well as the stranded colorwork areas.
