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arisaigsamuscinxiajosephineblackberryrevolutionlacey
leaves in reliefbloomellaflorahipsterfalling leavesbubby
edgarastrodomepumpkinstit bitsyorick

One of the latest additions to my video game fanatic husband's collection was a Metroid game, starring a futuristic orange-armored warrior heroine named Samus Aran.  I immediately thought of this in a knitting context and wondered what sort of Aran sweater Samus might wear when she's not saving the world from evil. 

Instead of a traditional up and down cable pattern, these cables are worked separately to make them sideways.  The patterned band was adapted from the Saxon Braid in Nicky Epstein's Knitting on the Edge.  The body of the cardigan is worked back and forth in one piece to allow an uninterrupted cable across the bottom of the sweater.  Both charted and written instructions are included for the cable pattern.  An applied i-cord edging finishes the rough edges for a more modern feel. 

If bright orange isn't the color for you, this yarn comes in practically every color of the rainbow.  Try using different colors for the body, braid and edging. 

model: Brynne Sutton photos: Christian Sutton/Laurie Trowbridge

SIZE
S [M, L, XL, XXL] (shown in size M)
 
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest: 36[41, 46, 51, 56] inches
Length: 23[24.75, 26.25, 27.75, 29.25] inches

 

MATERIALS

Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted [85% wool/15% mohair; 190 yds/171m per 100g skein]; color: Orange You Glad; 6[7, 8, 9, 10] skeins

1 set US #8/5mm double-point needles
1 36-inch US #8/5mm circular needle
Cable needle
Stitch holder or waste yarn
Tapestry needle
1.25[1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.75] yards 7/8 inch grosgrain ribbon
Sewing needle
Sewing thread
Large hook and eye
20[22, 24, 24, 26] inch separating zipper

GAUGE
19 sts/25 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations can be found here]

3PRC: Slip next st to cable needle, hold to back of work, k2, p1 from cable needle.
3PLC: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle, hold to front of work, p1, k2 from cable needle.
4RC: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle, hold to back of work, k2, k2 from cable needle.
4LC: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle, hold to front of work, k2, k2 from cable needle.
4PRC: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle, hold to back of work, k2, p2 from cable needle.
4PLC: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle, hold to front of work, p2, k2 from cable needle.
M1L: Make 1 Left. Lift strand between st just worked and next st by inserting left needle from front to back, k through back loop.
M1R: Make 1 Right. Lift strand between st just worked and next st by inserting left needle from back to front, k through front loop.

Saxon Braid (Worked over 26 sts):
[Note: The cable chart contains the same information as the directions below.]
Set-Up Row [WS]: K3, [p4, k4] 2 times, p4, k3
Row 1 [RS]: P3, [4RC, p4] 2 times, 4LC, p3
Row 2 [WS]: K3, [p4, k4] 2 times, p4, k3
Row 3 [RS]: P2, 3PRC, [4PLC, 4PRC] 2 times, 3PLC, p2
Row 4 [WS]: K2, p2, k3, p4, k4, p4, k3, p2, k2
Row 5 [RS]: P1, 3PRC, p3, 4RC, p4, 4LC, p3, 3PLC, p1
Row 6 [WS]: K1, p2, [k4, p4] 2 times, k4, p2, k1
Row 7 [RS]: P1, k2, p2, [4PRC, 4PLC] 2 times, p2, k2, p1
Row 8 [WS]: K1, p2, k2, p2, k4, p4, k4, p2, k2, p2, k1
Row 9 [RS]: P1, k2, p2, k2, p4, 4RC, p4, k2, p2, k2, p1
Row 10 [WS]: K1, p2, k2, p2, k4, p4, k4, p2, k2, p2, k1
Row 11 [RS]: P1, k2, p2, [4PLC, 4PRC] 2 times, p2, k2, p1
Row 12 [WS]: K1, p2, [k4, p4] 2 times, k4, p2, k1
Row 13 [RS]: P1, 3PLC, p3, 4LC, p4, 4RC, p3, 3PRC, p1
Row 14 [WS]: K2, p2, k3, p4, k4, p4, k3, p2, k2
Row 15 [RS]: P2, 3PLC, [4PRC, 4PLC] 2 times, 3PRC, p2
Row 16 [WS]: K3, [p4, k4] 2 times, p4, k3
Row 17 [RS]: P3, 4LC, [p4, 4RC] 2 times, p3
Row 18 [WS]: K3, [p4, k4] 2 times, p4, k3
Row 19 [RS]: P2, 3PRC, [4PLC, 4PRC] 2 times, 3PLC, p2
Row 20 [WS]: K2, p2, k3, p4, k4, p4, k3, p2, k2
Row 21 [RS]: P1, 3PRC, p3, 4RC, p4, 4LC, p3, 3PLC, p1
Row 22 [WS]: K1, p2, [k4, p4] 2 times, k4, p2, k1
Row 23 [RS]: P1, k2, p2, [4PRC, 4PLC] 2 times, p2, k2, p1
Row 24 [WS]: K1, p2, k2, p2, k4, p4, k4, p2, k2, p2, k1
Row 25 [RS]: P1, k2, p2, k2, p4, 4RC, p4, k2, p2, k2, p1
Row 26 [WS]: K1, p2, k2, p2, k4, p4, k4, p2, k2, p2, k1
Row 27 [RS]: P1, k2, p2, [4PLC, 4PRC] 2 times, p2, k2, p1
Row 28 [WS]: K1, p2, [k4, p4] 2 times, k4, p2, k1
Row 29 [RS]: P1, 3PLC, p3, 4LC, p4, 4RC, p3, 3PRC, p1
Row 30 [WS]: K2, p2, k3, p4, k4, p4, k3, p2, k2
Row 31 [RS]: P2, 3PLC, [4PRC, 4PLC] 2 times, 3PRC, p2
Row 32 [WS]: K3, [p4, k4] 2 times, p4, k3
End Row [RS]: P3, 4LC, [p4, 4RC] 2 times, p3

Applied I-Cord:
Using double-point needle, CO 4 sts.
Next Row: K3, sl 1 knitwise, pick up and k 1 st from edge of work, psso. Slide 4 sts just worked to other end of  needle and bring yarn around back of work, ready to begin working next row.
Work 1 row of Applied I-Cord for each row along vertical knitted edges, 3 rows of Applied I-Cord for every 4 rows along horizontal knitted edges, and 3 rows of Applied I-Cord in each corner st when turning a corner.
Note: For this pattern, long edges of Saxon Braid bands are considered vertical knitted edges.

 

 
DIRECTIONS

Lower Band:
CO 26 sts. Work Set-Up Row of Saxon Braid, work Rows 1-32 7[8, 9, 10, 11] times, work End Row. BO in patt.

Lower Body:
Using circular needle and with RS facing, pick up and k 168[192, 216, 240, 264] sts along long edge of braid (approx. 3 sts for every 4 rows worked).

Work in stockinette st until work measures 13[14, 15, 16, 17] inches, including width of braid, ending with a WS row.

Right Front:
Next Row [RS]: K42[48, 54, 60, 66], place rem 126[144, 162, 180, 198] sts on st holder or waste yarn. 
Next Row [WS]: BO 4[4, 5, 5, 6] sts, p to end. 38[44, 49, 55, 60] sts rem.
K 1 row.
Next Row [WS]: BO 3[3, 3, 4, 4] sts, p to end. 35[41, 46, 51, 56] sts rem.

Next Row [RS]: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 2[3, 3, 4, 4] times more. 32[37, 42, 46, 51] sts rem.

Cont in stockinette st until work measures 6.5[7, 7.25, 7.25, 7.75] inches from base of armhole, ending with a WS row.

Next Row [RS]: BO 8[9, 10, 10, 11] sts, k to end. 24[28, 32, 36, 40] sts rem.
P 1 row.
Next Row [RS]: BO 3[3, 3, 4, 4] sts, k to end. 21[25, 29, 32, 36] sts rem.
P 1 row.
Next Row [RS]: BO 2[2, 2, 3, 3] sts, k to end. 19[23, 27, 29, 33] sts rem.
P 1 row.                         

Sizes L, XL, XXL Only:
Next Row [RS]: BO 2 sts, k to end. _[_, 25, 27, 31] sts rem.
P 1 row.

All Sizes:
Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to end.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 1[2, 2, 3, 3] times more. 17[20, 22, 23, 27] sts rem.

Cont in stockinette st until work measures 8.5[9.25, 9.75, 10.25, 10.75] inches from base of armhole, ending with a RS row.

Next Row [WS]: BO 6[7, 8, 8, 9] sts, p to end.
K 1 row.
Next Row [WS]: BO 6[7, 7, 8, 9] sts, p to end.
K 1 row.
BO rem 5[6, 7, 7, 9] sts. 

Back
With RS of work facing, place next 84[96, 108, 120, 132] held sts on needle and rejoin yarn.
BO 4[4, 5, 5, 6] sts at beg of next 2 rows. 76[88, 98, 110, 120] sts rem.
BO 3[3, 3, 4, 4] sts at beg of next 2 rows. 70[82, 92, 102, 112] sts rem.

Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 2[3, 3, 4, 4] times more. 64[74, 84, 92, 102] sts rem.

Cont in stockinette st until work measures 8.5[9.25, 9.75, 10.25, 10.75] inches from base of armhole, ending with a WS row.

BO 6[7, 8, 8, 9] sts at beg of next 2 rows.
BO 6[7, 7, 8, 9] sts at beg of next 2 rows.
BO 5[6, 7, 7, 9] sts at beg of next 2 rows.
BO rem 30[34, 40, 46, 48] sts.

Left Front
With RS of work facing, place rem 42[48, 54, 60, 66] held sts on needle and rejoin yarn.
Next Row [RS]: BO 4[4, 5, 5, 6] sts, k to end. 38[44, 49, 55, 60] sts rem.
P 1 row.
Next Row [RS]: BO 3[3, 3, 4, 4] sts, k to end. 35[41, 46, 51, 56] sts rem.
P 1 row.

Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to end.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 2[3, 3, 4, 4] times more. 32[37, 42, 46, 51] sts rem.

Cont in stockinette st until work measures 6.5[7, 7.25, 7.25, 7.75]inches from base of armhole, ending with a RS row.

Next Row [WS]: BO 8[9, 10, 10, 11] sts, p to end. 24[28, 32, 36, 40] sts rem.
K 1 row.
Next Row [WS]: BO 3[3, 3, 4, 4] sts, p to end. 21[25, 29, 32, 36] sts rem.
K 1 row.
Next Row [WS]: BO 2[2, 2, 3, 3] sts, p to end. 19[23, 27, 29, 33] sts rem.

Sizes L, XL, XXL Only:
K 1 row.
Next Row [WS]: BO 2 sts, p to end. _[_, 25, 27, 31] sts rem.

All Sizes:
Next Row [RS]: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 1[2, 2, 3, 3] times more. 17[20, 22, 23, 27] sts rem.

Cont in stockinette st until work measures 8.5[9.25, 9.75, 10.25, 10.75] inches from base of armhole, ending with a WS row.

Next Row [RS]: BO 6[7, 8, 8, 9] sts, k to end.
P 1 row.
Next Row [RS]: BO 6[7, 7, 8, 9] sts, k to end.
P 1 row.
BO rem 5[6, 7, 7, 9] sts. 

Sleeves (Make 2)
Cuff
CO 26 sts. Work in Saxon Braid pattern as follows:

Size S Only:
Work Rows 28-32, work Rows 1-32, work Rows 1-21. BO in patt.

Sizes M, L Only:
Work Set-Up Row, Work Rows 1-32 twice, work End Row. BO in patt.

Sizes XL, XXL Only:
Work Rows 28-32, work Rows 1-32 twice, work Rows 1-5. BO in patt.

Sleeve
Using circular needle and with RS facing, pick up and k 42[48, 48, 54, 54] sts along long edge of braid (approx. 3 sts for every 4 rows worked). P 1 row.

Increase Row [RS]: K1, m1R, k to last st, m1L, k1.
Work 3 rows in stockinette st.
Repeat these 4 rows 11[9, 14, 13, 19] times more. 66[68, 78, 82, 94] sts.

Sizes S, M, L, XL Only:
Work Increase Row.
Work 5 rows in stockinette st.
Repeat these 6 rows 3[5, 2, 3, _] times more. 74[80, 84, 90, _] sts.

All Sizes:
Cont in stockinette st until work measures 16.25[16.75, 17.25, 17.5, 17.5] inches (or desired length to underarm), including width of braid, ending with a WS row.

Sleeve Cap
BO 4[4, 5, 5, 6] sts at beg of next 2 rows. 66[72, 74, 80, 82] sts rem.
BO 3[3, 3, 4, 4] sts at beg of next 2 rows. 60[66, 68, 72, 74] sts rem.

Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Work 3 rows in stockinette st.
Repeat these 4 rows 2[2, 3, 4, 5] times more. 54[60, 60, 62, 62] sts rem.

Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 7[9, 8, 8, 8] times more. 38[40, 42, 44, 44] sts rem.

BO 2 sts at beg of next 4 rows.
BO 3 sts at beg of next 6 rows.
BO rem 12[14, 16, 18, 18] sts.

 
FINISHING

Block all pieces to measurements; schematic shows measurements at this stage, before i-cord edging is applied.

Sew sleeve and shoulder seams. 

Sew sleeves into armholes.

Beg at center back neck, work Applied I-Cord as described above around left neck edge, down left front edge, along lower edge, up right front edge, and around right neck edge. Sew live sts of I-Cord to CO sts of I-Cord.

Work Applied I-Cord as described above around lower edges of sleeves.

Weave in ends.

Lightly steam front edges of sweater.  Cut two lengths of ribbon, each slightly longer than front of sweater.  Fold cut edges of ribbon under and sew ribbon to inside front edges, as shown in photo.  Sew separating zipper to inside front edges. Sew hook and eye at collar. 

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Brynne now knits in Houston, Texas, where it may never get cold enough to actually wear this sweater.  See how she deals with her first warm fall at her blog.