Lightning, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com.

INTRODUCTION

Lightning

beauty shot by Elizabeth Felgate

Tangy

Electrify your wardrobe with a bolt out of the blue (or whatever color suits you best!) For the days when your storm-wielding superheroine is at the fore, this graphic yoke sweater is knit top down in the round with stranded colorwork for the lightning motif.

Short rows shape the back of neck and give some extra length to the back. This avoids the draughty gap between your sweater and your waistband that can occur at the back of handknit sweaters made with equal length backs and fronts (especially when it's blowing in that tempest you have summoned). Full sleeves are gathered at the wrist for a touch of extra panache.

spacer model: Elizabeth Felgate

spacer photos: John Felgate

SIZE

XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
shown in size S with 2.75 inches/7 cm of ease at chest

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

32.75[34.25, 39.5, 43.25, 47.5, 52, 56.75, 60.5, 64.5] inches / 83[87, 100.5, 110, 120.5, 132, 144, 153.5, 164] cm
Note: This design is intended to be worn with approx. 10% or 2.75–4.5 inches/7–11.5 cm positive ease

MATERIALS

Yarn
The Fibre Co. Cumbria [60% Merino, 30% Masham, 10% Mohair; 236 yds/216 m per 3.53 oz/100 g skein]
[MC] Blackbeck: 4[4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 8] skeins
[CC] Buttermere: 1[1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] skeins

Yarn Characteristics:
The sample shown uses a worsted-weight plied wool yarn wool blended with mohair, the latter providing a subtle haze and a lighter drape. Pure wool yarns will be acceptable substitutes. This is a non-superwash yarn.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #7/4.5mm circular needle, of a length a little shorter than your target chest size as main. You may wish to switch to a shorter cable for the sleeves and cuff.
US #6/4mm circular needle, length-inch/length-cm for bottom hem

Notions
waste yarn or stitch holders
tapestry needle for weaving in ends
stitch markers

GAUGE

20 sts/28 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch
Note: gauge is always taken after blocking

PATTERN NOTES

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

You should work a gauge swatch in the round for this sweater to ensure an accurate measurement. Be sure to wash and dry your swatch before measuring. You should aim to maintain your colorwork at the same gauge as stockinette by carrying your floats loosely.

Your contrast yarn should be carried under/to the left of the main yarn so that floats are always brought under the main color when changing color. This video explains yarn dominance and how to hold yarns. You may wish to catch floats halfway across longer stretches of a single color in the last few rounds of the main chart. Always take care to ensure your floats are loose and the fabric is laying flat and even.

Techniques:

CHARTS

DIRECTIONS

Yoke
Using MC and larger needle cast on 90[90, 93, 96, 99, 102, 108, 111, 120] sts using the German Twisted cast on. Pm to indicate the start of the round and after 45[45, 46, 48, 49, 51, 54, 55, 60] sts to indicate the halfway point of the round.
Rnd 1: *K2, p1; rep from * to end.
Repeat Rnd 1 until neckband measures 0.5[0.5, 0.5, 0.75, 0.75, 0.75, 0.75, 0.75. 0.75, ] inches / 1.5[1.5, 1.5, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] cm.

Begin short rows:
Note: The sample used German short rows, but you can substitute your preferred method.
Short row 1 [RS]: Work in pattern as to first marker, sm, work 1 more st, turn.
Short row 2 [WS]: Work in pattern to first marker, sm, work in pattern to BOR marker, sm, work 1 more st, turn.
Short row 3: Work in pattern to BOR marker, sm, work in pattern to first marker, sm, work to 2 sts past previous turn, turn.
Short row 4: Work in pattern to first marker, sm, work in pattern to BOR marker, sm, work to 2 sts past previous turn, turn.
Rep Short rows 3 and 4 one more time.

Next rnd: Work in pattern to end of rnd, resolving short rows as you come to them.

Work yoke chart:
Begin working from the chart, repeating the chart 30[30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36. 37, 38, ] times to end of rnd. Work through Rnd 42. 270[270, 279, 288, 297, 306, 324, 333, 360] sts. Break CC, leaving a long tail.

Sizes 2X[3X, 4X, 5X] only:
Using MC, knit 2 rounds.
Next rnd: *K9, M1L; rep from * to end. -[-, -, -, -, 340, 360, 370, 400] sts.

Sizes 3X[4X, 5X] only:
Using MC, knit 16 rnds.
Next rnd: *K10, M1L; rep from * to end. -[-, -, -, -, -, 396, 407, 440] sts.

All sizes:
Knit additional rounds with MC until yoke measures approximately 7.5[8, 8.5, 9.25, 9, 75, 10.25, 11, 11.5] inches / 19.5[20, 21.75, 23, 25, 26.5, 28, 29.5, 31] cm.

Separate the sleeves and body:
Next rnd: K26[26, 26, 25, 25, 30, 36, 37, 40] sleeve sts, pm, k83[83, 88, 94, 98, 111, 127, 130, 140] back sts, pm, k52[52, 51, 50, 50, 59, 71, 73, 80] sleeve sts, removing marker when you reach it, pm, k83[83, 89, 94, 99, 111, 127, 131, 140] front sts, pm, k26[26, 25, 25, 25, 29, 35, 36, 40] sleeve sts, removing BOR marker when you reach it.

Place sleeve sts on waste yarn or holders and cut working yarn. Rejoin yarn at the beginning of the front sts.

Next rnd: K 83[83, 89, 94, 99, 111, 127, 130, 140] back sts, cast on 0[2, 6, 8, 11, 10, 8, 11, 12] sts, pm, cast on 0[2, 6, 8, 11, 11, 9, 12, 12] sts, k 83[83, 89, 94, 99, 111, 127, 130, 140] front sts, cast on 0[2, 6, 8, 11, 10, 8, 11, 12] sts, place BOR m, cast on 0[2, 6, 8, 11, 11, 9, 12, 12] sts. 166[174, 199, 220, 241, 264, 288, 307, 328] sts.

Work in stockinette stitch for approx. 1 inch / 2.5 cm.

Work underarm short rows and body:
Short row 1 [RS]: Knit to 5 sts beyond first m, turn.
Short row 2 [WS]: Purl to 5 sts beyond BOR m, turn.
Short row 3: Knit to 3 sts beyond first m, turn.
Short row 4: Purl to 3 sts beyond BOR m, turn.
Short row 5: Knit to 1 st beyond first m, turn.
Short row 6: Purl to 1 st beyond BOR m, turn.
Resume knitting in the round, resolving short rows as you reach them.

Work in stockinette stitch until body measures 12.25[12.25, 12.25, 12.75, 13, 12, 13.25, 13.5, 13.75] inches / 31[31, 31. 5, 32, 32.5, 33, 33.5, 34, 34.5] cm, or desired length from underarm.

Hem
Switch to smaller needle.

Sizes XS[M, L, 1x, 4X, 5X] only:
Next rnd: Knit to 2 sts before first m, k2tog, knit to end of rnd. 165[-, 198, 219, 240, -, -, 306, 327] sts.

All sizes:
Rib rnd: *K2, p1; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rep Rib rnd for 2 inches / 5 cm.

Bind off as follows: K1, *k1, pass first st on RH needle over the second st; k1, slip both sts from RH needle to LH needle and k2tog tbl; rep from * until 1 st remains on RH needle. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail, and pull through remaining st.

Sleeves
Place 52[52, 51, 50, 50, 59, 71, 73, 80] sleeve sts back on larger needle. With RS facing and beginning at right side on CO underarm sts, pick up and knit 0[2, 6, 8, 11, 10, 8, 11, 12] underarm sts, place BOR m, pick up and knit 0[2, 6, 8, 11, 11, 9, 12, 12] underarm sts, pick up and knit 2 sts in corner between underarm sts and held sleeve sts, knit across 52[52, 51, 50, 50, 59, 71, 73, 80] sleeve sts, pick up and knit 2 sts in corner between sleeve sts and underarm, knit to end of rnd. 56[60, 67, 70, 76, 84, 92, 100, 108] sts.

All sizes except M:
Next rnd: K1, k2tog, k2tog, knit to 5 stitches before end of round, ssk, ssk, k1.

Size M only:
Next rnd: K1, k2tog, k2tog, knit to 3 stitches before end of round, ssk, k1.

52[56, 64, 66, 72, 80, 88, 96, 104] sts.

Sizes 2X[3X, 4X, 5X] only:
Knit 6 rnds.
Dec rnd: K1, k2tog, knit to 3 sts before end of rnd, ssk, k1. 2 sts decreased.
Repeat last 7 rnds -[-, -, -, 2, 2, 4, 4] times. -[-, -, -, 74, 82, 86, 94] sts.

All sizes:
Work in stockinette st until your sleeve measures 14.5[15, 15, 15.5, 15.5, 16, 16, 16.5, 16.5] inches / 37[38, 38, 39.5, 39.5, 40.5, 40.5, 42, 42] cm, or desired length before cuff.

Next rnd: *K2tog; rep from * to end of rnd. 26[28, 32, 33, 36, 37, 41, 43, 47] sts.

Size S[2X, 4X] only:
Next rnd: K2tog, knit to end. -[27, -, -, -, -, 36, 42, -] sts.

Sizes XS[M, 3X, 5X] only:
Next rnd: K2tog, k11[-, 14, -, -, -, 19, -, 22], k2tog, knit to end of rnd. 24[-, 30, -, -, -, 39, -, 45] sts.

Ribbing
Next rnd: *K2, p1; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rep last rnd until ribbing measures 2 inches/5 cm, or desired length.

Bind off sleeve as for the bottom hem. Repeat for second sleeve.

FINISHING

Sew up any small holes at the underarm. Weave in ends. Wash and dry your sweater according to the yarn instructions.

A - Neck circumference: 17.75[17.75, 18.25, 19, 19.5, 20, 21.25, 21.75, 23.5] inches / 45[45, 46.5, 48, 49.5, 51, 54, 55.5, 60] cm

B - Chest circumference: 32.75[34.25, 39.5, 43.25, 47.5, 52, 56.75, 60.5, 64.5] inches / 83[87, 100.5, 110, 120.5, 132, 144, 153.5, 164] cm

C - Armhole depth: 7.75[8, 8.75, 9, 9.75, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12.25] inches / 19.5[20, 22, 23, 25, 26.5, 28, 29.5, 31] cm

D - Body length from underarm to hem: 12.25[12.25, 12.5, 12.75, 12.75, 13, 13.25, 13, 5] inches / 31[31, 31.5, 32, 32.5, 33, 33.5, 34, 34.5] cm

E - Sleeve length from underarm to end of cuff: 16.75[17.25, 17.25, 17.75, 17.75, 18, 18, 18.75, 18.75] inches / 42.5[43.5, 43.5, 45, 45, 46, 46, 47.5, 47.5] cm

F - Upper arm circumference: 10.25[11, 12.5, 13, 14.25, 15.75, 17.25, 19, 20.5] inches / 26[28, 32, 33, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52] cm

G - Wrist circumference: 5.25[5.5, 6.25, 6.5, 7, 7.25, 8, 8.5, 9.25] inches / 13[14, 16, 16.5, 18, 18.5, 20.5, 21.5, 23.5] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Elizabeth Felgate is an independent designer living in a stone cottage in rural Wiltshire in the UK, with eight walnut trees in the garden and roses around the windows. She is slightly obsessed with aquilegias and serama bantams. When not knitting she is a marketing consultant and mother of two.

She likes designing from first principles. Many of her patterns feature custom-designed lace patterns or unusual construction methods like her gaugeless sweaters. She loves aran weight jumpers and airy lace.

You can find her Payhip store here. She's also on Ravelry and Instagram.