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Soft, subtle colors mix with warm and cool neutrals for a sweater that will harmonize equally well with blue jeans or khakis. The grey bounces off the warmer tones so you would swear it was slate blue, a striking example of how a color can vary depending on its context. The yarn is a cotton-modal blend that is soft, drapey and a pleasure to knit.

The body is gently shaped to avoid a boxy shape and has a little bit of extra room in the front to help prevent gaping button bands.

Although it may look like fair isle at first glance, this is a mosaic pattern — no stranding, just one color per row.

model: Sarah Beal photos: Barbara Gregory

SIZE
XS [S, M, L, XL,] (shown in size S)
 
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 33.5[36.75, 41.25, 45, 49.5] inches
Length: 20.25[21.75, 22.75, 23.25, 24] inches
 
MATERIALS
Knit Picks Shine Sport [60% Pima Cotton, 40% Modal; 110yd/100m per 50 g skein]
[A] #23816 Willow; 5[5, 6, 6, 7] skeins
[B] #23620 Sand; 2[3, 3, 3, 4] skeins
[C] #23616 Cloud; 2[2, 3, 3, 3] skeins
[D] #23815 Silver Sage; 3[3, 4, 4, 4] skeins
[E] #23615 Cream; 3[3, 3, 4, 4] skeins

1 US #2/2.75mm circular needle, 24 inches or longer
1 set US #3/3.25mm straight needles
Stitch holders
Safety pins
Tapestry needle
5[6, 6, 6, 7] x 0.5 inch buttons
 
GAUGE
24 sts / 32 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch using larger needles
25 sts / 44 rows = 4 inches in charted pattern using larger needles, after blocking
 
PATTERN NOTES

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

This is a slip stitch, or mosaic pattern. Each row is worked using only one color, with stitches slipped in each row. As a result, stitches from previous rows appear to have been worked in a color pattern with the stitches in the current row.

When reading the chart, the column to the right of the chart indicates which color is to be used for each row. All stitches in a row which are shown in a contrasting color, should be slipped (as indicated). Every knit row is followed by a purl row of the same color, and the stitches that were worked in the knit row are worked again in the purl row.

To work a slip stitch, transfer it to the right needle without knitting or purling it. It should be slipped in such a way that it is ready to knit on the next row; for most knitters this means slipping purlwise. The working yarn is always held to the wrong side of the fabric as a stitch is slipped, and should be carried loosely behind the slipped stitch to prevent the fabric from puckering.

Do not slip the first or last stitch of any row. Maintain the first and last stitches of each row in stockinette stitch, working them in the working color for that row, regardless of what is indicated in the chart. This will produce a stable edge for seaming.

The knitted fabric produced by this pattern improves with blocking. It is important to block the gauge swatch before measuring, both to obtain an accurate measurement and to see the finished texture of the fabric.

Carry the colors not in use loosely up the side of the work. They may be cut and rejoined when necessary (at the beginning of the armhole shaping, for example). When beginning a RS row, bring the working yarn from under the other yarns to keep the edge tidy.

For all sizes, the sleeves to the beginning of the sleeve cap shaping are 40 rows (one full repeat) longer than the lower body to the beginning of the armhole shaping. This ensures that the pattern matches at the point where sleeve meets body. If you wish to change the length of the sleeves or body, ideally they should both be altered by the same number of rows. Alternately, the sleeve may be shortened by 1.25 inches by casting on 49[49, 55, 59, 65] sts and omitting the first 16 rows of the Sleeve Border (begin working border on Row 17).

The Long-Tail Cast On is recommended for this project. Directions for the Long-Tail Cast On can be found here.

Directions for the One-Row Buttonhole used for this sweater may be found here.


Three-Needle Bind Off using Two Needles:
This is my preferred method for working a Three-Needle Bind Off.
With right sides facing, slip the sts of the two pieces to be joined onto one smaller needle, so that they alternate: [1 st from front piece, 1 st from back piece] to end.
Using the yarn attached and the larger needle, k2tog, [k2tog, pass first st worked over second st] until all sts have been worked. Break yarn and draw through loop on needle.

1x1 Rib (Worked over an odd number of sts):
Row 1 [WS]: P1, [k1, p1] to end.
Row 2 [RS]: K1, [p1, k1] to end.
Repeat these 2 rows for 1x1 Rib.

Ssp: Slip the next 2 sts knitwise, one at a time, to the right needle. Slip them back to the left needle and purl them together through their back loops.

PATTERN
BACK
Using US #2/2.75mm needle and A, CO 109[119, 133, 145, 159] sts.

Lower Border:
Note: Row 1 is a WS row.
Rows 1-3: K all sts.
Row 4 [RS]: Using B, k all sts.
Rows 5-7: Using B, work in 1x1 Rib.
Rows 8-11: Using C, k all sts.
Row 12 [RS]: Using A, k all sts.
Rows 13-15: Using A, work in 1x1 Rib.
Rows 16-19: Using B, k all sts.
Row 20 [RS]: Using C, k all sts
Rows 21-23: Using C, work in 1x1 Rib.
Rows 24-27: Using A, k all sts.

Lower Back:
Using US #3/3.25mm needles and D, work 2 rows in stockinette st.

Work Row 1 of Chart, beginning with st number 5[11, 4, 9, 13], and ending with st number 3[19, 4, 21, 17].

Work 7 more rows in pattern as set.

Shape Waist:
Decrease Row [RS]: Continuing in pattern, k1, ssk, work to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Work 9[9, 11, 11, 11] rows in pattern.
Repeat these 10[10, 12, 12, 12] rows twice more, then work Decrease Row once more. 101[111, 125, 137, 151] sts.

Work 39 rows in pattern.
Increase Row [RS]: K1, m1, work to last st, m1, k1.

Work 9[9, 11, 11, 11] rows in pattern, then work Increase Row once more. 105[115, 129, 141, 155] sts.
Continue in pattern until work measures 13[13.75, 14.25, 14.5 14.5] inches, ending with a WS row. Make a note of the last pattern row worked.

Shape Armholes:
BO 4[4, 5, 6, 9] sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 97[107, 119, 129, 137] sts.
Decrease Row [RS]: K1, ssk, work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Repeat Decrease Row every 2 rows 2[2, 3, 7, 8] times. 91[101, 111, 113, 119] sts.
Repeat Decrease Row every 4 rows 2[4, 5, 3, 5] times. 87[93, 101, 107, 109] sts.
Continue in pattern as set until work measures 6.25[7, 7.5, 7.75, 8.5] inches from beginning of armhole, ending with a WS row.

Shape Back Neckline:
Row 1 [RS]: Work 34[36, 38, 39, 40] sts in pattern; place remaining sts on st holder.
Row 2 [WS]: BO 6 sts, work in pattern to end.
Row 3 [RS]: Work all sts in pattern.
Row 4 [WS]: Work as for Row 2. 22[24, 26, 27, 28] sts.
Row 5 [RS]: Work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Row 6 [WS]: Work all sts in pattern.
Rows 7-8: Work as for Rows 5-6. 20[22, 24, 25, 26] sts.
Work 3 more rows in pattern. Work measures 7.25[8.25, 8.5, 8.75, 9.5] inches from beginning of armhole. Place sts on st holder.

Replace held sts on needle with RS facing and rejoin yarn.
Row 1 [RS]: BO 19[21, 25, 29, 29] sts, work in pattern to end. 34[36, 38, 39, 40] sts.
Row 2 [WS]: Work all sts in pattern.
Row 3 [RS]: BO 6 sts, work in pattern to end.
Rows 4-5: Work as for Rows 2-3. 22[24, 26, 27, 28] sts.
Row 6 [WS]: Work all sts in pattern.
Row 7 [RS]: K1, ssk, work in pattern to end.
Rows 8-9: Work as for Rows 6-7. 20[22, 24, 25, 26] sts.
Work 2 more rows in pattern. Place sts on st holder.

LEFT FRONT
Note: Read ahead! Neckline shaping is worked at the same time as Waist and Armhole shaping.
Using US #2/2.75mm needle and A, CO 56[61, 68, 74, 81] sts.
Work Rows 1-27 of Border as for Back.

Using US #3/3.25mm needles and D, work 2 rows in stockinette st.
Work Row 1 of Chart, beginning with st number 4[11, 4, 8, 13], and ending with st number 15[5, 5, 15, 5].

Work 7 more rows in pattern as set.

Shape Waist:
Decrease Row [RS]: Continuing in pattern, k1, ssk, work in pattern to end.
Work 9[9, 11, 11, 11] rows in pattern.
Repeat these 10[10, 12, 12, 12] rows twice more, then work Decrease Row once more. 52[57, 64, 70, 77] sts.

Work 39 rows in pattern.
Increase Row [RS]: K1, m1, work in pattern to end.
Work 9[9, 11, 11, 11] rows in pattern, then work Increase Row once more. 54[59, 66, 72, 79] sts.
AT THE SAME TIME: When work measures 9.75[10.75, 11, 11.5, 12] inches, ending with a WS row, shape neckline as follows:
Neckline Decrease Row [RS]: Work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Repeat Neckline Decrease Row every 4 rows 21[17, 18, 26, 27] times.
Repeat Neckline Decrease Row every 6 rows 3[8, 9, 3, 2] times.
AT THE SAME TIME: When work measures same as Back to underarms, ending with same row of pattern, shape armhole as follows:
Next Row [RS]: BO 4[4, 5, 6, 9] sts, work in pattern to end.
Work 1 row in pattern.

Armhole Decrease Row [RS]: K1, ssk, work in pattern to end.
Repeat Armhole Decrease Row every 2 rows 2[2, 3, 7, 8] times.
Repeat Armhole Decrease Row every 4 rows 2[4, 5, 3, 5] times.
When all neckline and armhole shaping has been worked, 20[22, 24, 25, 26] sts remain. Continue in pattern until work measures same as Back to shoulder, ending with same pattern row.

Join sts on needle to sts of Back Left Shoulder using Three-Needle Bind Off (or Three-Needle Bind Off using Two Needles: see Pattern Notes, above).

RIGHT FRONT
Note: Read ahead! Neckline shaping is worked at the same time as Waist and Armhole shaping.
Using US #2/2.75mm needle and A, CO 56[61, 68, 74, 81] sts.
Work Rows 1-27 of Border as for Back.

Using US #3/3.25mm needles and D, work 2 rows in stockinette st.
Work Row 1 of Chart, beginning with st number 15[3, 3, 15, 3], and ending with st number 4[19, 4, 22, 17].
Work 7 more rows in pattern as set.

Shape Waist:
Decrease Row [RS]: Work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Work 9[9, 11, 11, 11] rows in pattern.
Repeat these 10[10, 12, 12, 12] rows twice more, then work Decrease Row once more. 52[57, 64, 70, 77] sts.
Work 39 rows in pattern.

Increase Row [RS]: Work in pattern to last st, m1, k1.
Work 9[9, 11, 11, 11] rows in pattern, then work Increase Row once more. 54[59, 66, 72, 79] sts.
AT THE SAME TIME: When work measures 9.75[10.75, 11, 11.5, 12] inches, ending with a WS row, shape neckline as follows:
Neckline Decrease Row [RS]: K1, ssk, work in pattern to end.
Repeat the Neckline Decrease Row every 4 rows 21[17, 18, 26, 27] times.
Repeat the Neckline Decrease Row every 6 rows 3[8, 9, 3, 2] times.
AT THE SAME TIME: When work measures 1 row longer than Back to underarms, shape armhole as follows:
Next Row [WS]: BO 4[4, 5, 6, 9] sts, work in pattern to end.
Armhole Decrease Row [RS]: Work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Repeat Armhole Decrease Row every 2 rows 2[2, 3, 7, 8] times.
Repeat Armhole Decrease Row every 4 rows 2[4, 5, 3, 5] times.
When all neckline and armhole shaping has been worked, 20[22, 24, 25, 26] sts remain. Continue in pattern until work measures same as Back to shoulder, ending with same pattern row.
Join sts on needle to sts of Back Right Shoulder using Three-Needle Bind Off (or Three-Needle Bind Off using Two Needles).

SLEEVES (Make 2)
Using US #2/2.75mm needle and A, CO 47[47, 53, 57, 63] sts.
Work Rows 1-9 of Border as for Back.
Row 10: K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1.
Work Rows 11-19 of Border as for Back.
Row 20 [RS]: Using C, k1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1. 51[51, 57, 61, 67] sts.
Work Rows 21-27 of Border as for Back.
Next Row [RS]: Using US #3/3.25mm needles and D, k1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1. 53[53, 59, 63, 69] sts.
P 1 row.
Work Row 1 of Chart, beginning with st number 22[22, 19, 17, 14], and ending with st number 8[8, 11, 13, 16].
Work 9[9, 11, 11, 11] rows in pattern.

Sleeve Increase Row [RS]: K1, m1, work in pattern to last st, m1, k1.
Repeat Sleeve Increase Row every 10[10, 10, 8, 8] rows 4[14, 9, 7, 20] times. 63[83, 79, 79, 111] sts.

Sizes XS, M, L Only:
Repeat Sleeve Increase Row every 12[-, 12, 10, -] rows 8[-, 5, 10, -] times. 79[-, 89, 99, -] sts.

All Sizes:
Continue in pattern until work measures 16.5[17.25, 17.75, 18, 18] inches, ending with last pattern row worked for Back at underarm.

Shape Sleeve Cap:
BO 4[4, 5, 6, 9] sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 71[75, 79, 87, 93] sts.
Decrease Row 1 [RS]: K1, ssk, work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Decrease Row 2 [WS]: P1, p2tog, work in pattern to last 3 sts, ssp, p1.
Repeat these 2 rows 2[2, 2, 1, 2] times more, then work Decrease Row 1 once more. 57[61, 65, 77, 79] sts.
Repeat Decrease Row 1 every 2 rows 6[6, 5, 10, 8] times. 45[49, 55, 57, 63] sts.
Repeat Decrease Row 1 every 4 rows 3[7, 7, 5, 6] times. 39[35, 41, 47, 51] sts.
Repeat Decrease Row 1 every 2 rows 5[3, 7, 6, 10] times. 29[29, 27, 35, 31] sts.
Work Decrease Row 1.
Work Decrease Row 2.
Repeat these 2 rows 2[1, 1, 3, 1] times more.

Size S Only:
Work Decrease Row 1.

All Sizes:
BO remaining 17[19, 19, 19, 23] sts.
FINISHING
Use safety pins to mark desired locations for 5[6, 6, 6, 7] buttons along right front edge. Place first buttonhole close to lower edge, and last buttonhole just below beginning of neckline shaping.

Front Band:
With RS facing, using #2/2.75mm needle and C, pick up and k 7 sts for every 12 rows and 1 st in each bound-off st along right front edge, along back neckline edge, and along left front edge.
Rows 1-3: K all sts. Break C.
Row 4 [RS]: Using B, k all sts.
Row 5 [WS]: Work in 1x1 Rib.
Row 6 [RS]: Work in 1x1 Rib, working buttonholes at points indicated by safety pins.
(See Pattern Notes above for a link to directions for the buttonhole used for this sweater.)
Row 7 [WS]: Work in 1x1 Rib. Break B.
Rows 8-10: Using A, k all sts.
Row 11 [WS]: BO all sts knitwise.

Sew sleeves into armholes. Sew sleeve seams and side seams.
Weave in any remaining ends.
Sew buttons to left front band, opposite buttonholes.

CARE
Although Knit Picks suggests careful machine drying for this yarn, the texture created by the mosaic pattern looks best when dried flat.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Barbara Gregory knits and illustrates in Toronto. She likes to use many colors in both of these pursuits. You can see examples of her efforts at barbaragregory.com