by Hannah Fettig

Blue Sky Alpacas contacted me before Techno officially came out and asked if I might like to try it. The description of the yarn was so intriguing. Whipped up alpaca? How could I say no! The yarn is made by blowing baby alpaca into a mesh tube of silk.

It knits up incredibly fast on a suggested needle size of US 10.5. The line is a modern take on 1970's neon and natural. This immediately made me think of an oversized batwing sweater. And so Flügel was born! This sweater is cozy, but oh so lightweight. Whip one up!

This dolman sleeve, or “batwing” pullover is worked in the round until you reach the underarms. The front and back are then worked separately.  Finally the shoulders are seamed and collar stitches picked up and knit.  The intention is for this sweater to be big and slouchy.  Go for at least 4” of positive ease!

SIZE
Chest: XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X]
shown in size S

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Lower body circumference: 32[36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56] inches
Length: 23[23.25, 24.75, 25, 26.5, 26.75, 28] inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
Blue Sky Alpaca Techno [68% baby alpaca, 10% extra fine merino, 22% silk; 120yd/109m per 50 g skein]; #1972 Suede; 6[7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 11] skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 16-inch US #9/5.5mm circular needle
1 32-inch US #9/5.5 mm circular needle
1 32-inch US #10.5/6.5 mm circular needle

Notions
Yarn needle
Stitch holders
Stitch markers

GAUGE

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

1x1 Rib (worked in the round over an even number of sts):
All Rounds: [K1, p1] to end.

Instructions for the Backward Loop Cast On can be found here.

DIRECTIONS
LOWER BODY
Using long circular needle in smaller size, CO 112[126, 140, 154, 168, 182, 196] sts. Place marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.

Work 20 rounds 1x1 Rib.

Using circular needle in larger size, continue as follows:
Next Round: K56[63, 70, 77, 84, 91, 98], place side marker, k56[63, 70, 77, 84, 91, 98].
K 8[9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14] rounds.

Decrease Round: *K1, ssk, knit to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1; repeat from * once. 4 sts decreased.
K 9 rounds, then work Decrease Round once more. 104[118, 132, 146, 160, 174, 188] sts.
K 5 rounds.

Increase Round: *K1, M1L, knit to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sm; repeat from * once. 4 sts increased.

K 1 round.

Repeat these 2 rounds 13[13, 15, 15, 17, 17, 19] times more, then work Increase Round once more. 164 [178, 200, 214, 236, 250, 272] sts. Work measures approx. 14[14.25, 15.25, 15.5, 16.5, 16.75, 17.75] inches.

UPPER RIGHT FRONT
Next Round: K first 32[35, 40, 43, 48, 51, 56] sts and place these sts on st holder for upper left front; k next 18[19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24] sts and place these sts on st holder for front neck; k32[35, 40, 43, 48, 51, 56]; place last 82[89, 100, 107, 118, 125, 136] sts on st holder for upper back. 32[35, 40, 43, 48, 51, 56] sts remain on needle. Turn work so that WS is facing; from this point, piece will be worked back and forth in rows.

Next Row [WS]: CO 37[35, 33, 31, 29, 27, 25] sts using backward loop method, p all sts. 69[70, 73, 74, 77, 78, 81] sts.

Shape Neckline:
Next Row [RS]: K1, k2tog, k to end.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows twice more. 66[67, 70, 71, 74, 75, 78] sts.

Work 25 rows in stockinette st, ending with a RS row.

Shape Shoulder:
Next Row [WS]: BO 10[10, 9, 9, 8, 8, 7] sts, p to end.
K 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 5[5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8] times more.
BO remaining 6[7, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15] sts.

Next Row [RS]: CO 37[35, 33, 31, 29, 27, 25] sts using backward loop method, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 68[69, 72, 73, 76, 77, 80] sts.

P 1 row.
Next Row [RS]: K to last 3 sts, ssk,
Repeat these 2 rows once more. 66[67, 70, 71, 74, 75, 78] sts.

Work 25 rows in stockinette st, ending with a WS row.

Shape Shoulder:
Next Row [RS]: BO 10[10, 9, 9, 8, 8, 7] sts, k to end.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 5[5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8] times more.
BO remaining 6[7, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15] sts.

UPPER BACK
Place 82[89, 100, 107, 118, 125, 136] held sts of upper back on needle and join yarn with RS facing.
K 1 row.

Next Row [WS]: CO 37[35, 33, 31, 29, 27, 25] sts using backward loop method, p all sts. 119[124, 133, 138, 147, 152, 161] sts.

Next Row [RS]: CO 37[35, 33, 31, 29, 27, 25] sts using backward loop method, k all sts. 156[159, 166, 169, 176, 179, 186] sts.

Work 31 rows in stockinette st, ending with a WS row.

Hannah Fettig designs knitwear from her home in Portland, Maine.

She became well known for her Whisper Cardigan, which appeared in the Spring 2009 issue of Interweave Knits. She is now known for her self-published pattern line, Knitbot. Most recently she has co-authored a book, Coastal Knits.

View her full line of Knitbot patterns and wholesale information at knitbot.com. Learn more about Coastal Knits at coastalknits.com.