Ada, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com.

INTRODUCTION

Ada

beauty shot by Rachel Brockman

Tangy

Many of us get serious inspiration from cinema or other sources of media, myself included. A lover of horror films, I found myself especially smitten by the plethora of amazing sweaters in the 2021 Icelandic film, Lamb. The garments feature everything from stunning stranded colorwork to richly textured cables. I loved the strange young Ada's sweaters because I'm always drawn to texture.

Ada is a reimagined version of her yellow sweater from the film – this time with a cozy shawl collar, thicker yarn, and smaller stitch motif, perfect for snuggling into the winter ahead.

spacer models: Rachel Brockman (above), Patrick Trull (below)

spacer photos: Rachel Brockman, John Mojecki

SIZE

XXS[XS, S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X]
Patrick Trull wears Ada in size Medium with approximately 2” / 5 cm positive ease and sleeves uncuffed.
Rachel Brockman wears Ada in size Medium with approximately 6.25” / 16 cm positive ease and sleeves cuffed.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest Circumference at Underarm: 30.75[34.25, 37.75, 41.25, 44.5, 48, 51.5, 54.75, 58.25, 61.75, 65.25] inches / 78[87, 96, 105, 113, 122, 131, 139, 148, 157, 165.5] cm
Length: 19.75[20.5, 21, 21.75, 22.75, 24, 25, 25, 26.25, 27.25, 28] inches / 50[52, 53.5, 55, 58, 61, 63.5, 63.5, 66.5, 69, 71] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Universal Yarn Deluxe Bulky Superwash [100% superwash wool; 106 yds/97 m per 100g]; 907 Ginseng; 6[6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10, 11, 12, 13] balls

Yarn Characteristics
Ada is knit using Universal Yarn Deluxe Bulky Superwash. This yarn is a bulky-weight, 4-ply 100% superwash wool, available in a broad array of solid and heathered colors. If substituting yarns, choose a smooth, round, bulky-weight yarn in a solid color with excellent stitch definition to best show the knit-purl motif.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #10/6mm circular needle, 24-40 inches / 60-100cm long (for Body)
US #10/6mm needles for small circumference in the round
US #9/5.5mm circular needle, 24-40 inches / 60-100cm long (for Body)
US #9/5.5mm needles for small circumference in the round
US #9/5.5mm circular needle, 16 inches/40cm long (for collar)

Notions
stitch holders or waste yarn
removable stitch marker
stitch markers
yarn needle

Rachel's inspiration: Ada, the Lamb

GAUGE

14 sts x 21 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in Texture Patt with larger needles

PATTERN NOTES

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

The body of this sweater is worked seamlessly in the round from the bottom up. It begins with the body, which is worked in the round from the hem to the underarms. Then, the front and back are separated and worked flat. The shoulders are joined using three-needle bind-off. Stitches for the sleeves are picked up from around the armholes and knit in the round from the top down. Stitches for the collar are picked up from around the neck edge and worked flat and shaped with short rows.

K1, P1 Rib (worked flat)
Multiple of 2 sts
Row 1: *K1, p1; rep from * to end.
Rep Row 1 for patt.

K1, P1 Rib (worked in the round)
Multiple of 2 sts
Row 1: *K1, p1; rep from * to end.
Rep Row 1 for patt.

CHARTS

Texture Pattern (worked in the round)
Multiple of 6 sts
Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2: Purl.
Rnds 3-4: Rep Rnds 1-2.
Rnd 5: *P2, k3, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 6: *P1, k3, p2; rep from * to end.
Rnd 7: *K3, p3; rep from * to end.
Rnd 8: *K2, p3, k1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 9: *K1, p3, k2; rep from * to end.
Rnd 10: *P3, k3; rep from * to end.
Rnds 11-14: Rep Rnds 1-4.
Rnd 15: *K3, p3; rep form * to end.
Rnd 16: *P1, k3, p2; rep from * to end.
Rnd 17: *P2, k3, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 18: *P3, k3; rep from * to end.
Rnd 19: *K1, p3, k2; rep from * to end.
Rnd 20: *K2, p3, k1; rep from * to end.
Rep Rnds 1-20 for patt.

Texture Pattern (worked flat)
Multiple of 6 sts
Rows 1-4: Knit.
Row 5 [RS]: *P2, k3, p1; rep from * to end.
Row 6 [WS]: *K2, p3, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 7: *K3, p3; rep from * to end.
Row 8: *P1, k3, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 9: *K1, p3, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 10: *P3, k3; rep from * to end.
Rows 11-14: Knit.
Row 15: *K3, p3; rep from * to end.
Row 16: *K2, p3, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 17: *P2, k3, p1; rep from * to end.
Row 18: *P3, k3; rep from * to end.
Row 19: *K1, p3, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 20: *P1, k3, p2; rep from * to end.
Rep Rows 1-20 for patt.

DIRECTIONS

Body
With smaller circular needle for Body, CO 108[120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192, 204, 216, 228] sts. Pm and join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts.

Work in K1, P1 rib for 2 inches / 5 cm.

Change to larger circular needle.

Work Texture patt in the round until piece measures 14.5[14.5, 15, 15, 15, 15.5, 15.5, 15.5, 16, 16, 16] inches / 37[37, 38, 38, 38, 39.5, 39.5, 39.5, 40.5, 40.5, 40.5] cm from CO or desired length to underarm, ending after an even rnd of Texture patt.

Front
Note: You will now begin working flat.
Row 1 [RS]: Work next row of Texture patt across first 54[60, 66, 72, 78, 84, 90, 96, 102, 108, 114] sts, turn. Place rem 54[60, 66, 72, 78, 84, 90, 96, 102, 108, 114] sts of round on holder for Back. Turn and cont on these sts only for Front.

Cont working flat in Texture patt as est, if necessary, until piece measures .25[.5, .5, 1.5, 1.75, 2.5, 3.5, 3, 3.75, 4.25, 5] inches / .5[1.5, 1.5, 4, 4.5, 6.5, 9, 7.5, 9.5, 11, 12.5] cm from underarm, ending after a WS row.

Shape Front Neck:
Note: Maintain Texture patt as established throughout neck shaping.
Next row [RS]: Cont in patt as est over 16[19, 22, 24, 27, 30, 32, 35, 38, 40, 43] Left Front sts, BO center 22[22, 22, 24, 24, 24, 26, 26, 26, 28, 28] sts for neck, cont as est over rem 16[19, 22, 24, 27, 30, 32, 35, 38, 40, 43] Right Front sts. Place Left Front sts on holder and cont on Right Front sts only.

Right Front
Next row [WS]: Work even in patt.

Dec row [RS]: K1, k2tog, patt to end. 1 st decreased.
Cont in patt, rep Dec row every 4[4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 6, 6] rows 3[2, 2, 2, 0, 0, 0, 4, 4, 3, 3] more times, then rep Dec row every 6[6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 0, 0, 8, 8] rows 1[2, 2, 2, 4, 4, 4, 0, 0, 1, 1] time(s). 11[14, 17, 19, 22, 25, 27, 30, 33, 35, 38] sts rem.

Work even in patt as est, if necessary, until piece measures 5.25[6, 6, 6.75, 7.75, 8.5, 9.5, 9.5, 10.25, 11.25, 12] inches / 13.5[15, 15, 17, 19.5, 21.5, 24, 24, 26, 28.5, 30.5] cm from underarm, ending after a WS row.

Break yarn and leave sts on holder.

Left Front
Return held 16[19, 22, 24, 27, 30, 32, 35, 38, 40, 43] Left Front sts to needle, ready to work a WS row.
Next row [WS]: Work even in patt.

Dec row [RS]: Patt to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 1 st decreased.

Rep Dec row every 4[4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 6, 6] rows 3[2, 2, 2, 0, 0, 0, 4, 4, 3, 3] more times, then rep Dec row every 6[6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 0, 0, 8, 8] rows 1[2, 2, 2, 4, 4, 4, 0, 0, 1, 1] time(s). 11[14, 17, 19, 22, 25, 27, 30, 33, 35, 38] sts rem.

Break yarn and leave sts on holder.

Back
Return 54[60, 66, 72, 78, 84, 90, 96, 102, 108, 114] Back sts to needle, ready to work a RS row.

Cont even in Texture patt as est until piece measures approx. 5.25[6, 6, 6.75, 7.75, 8.5, 9.5, 9.5, 10.25, 11.25, 12] inches / 13.5[15, 15, 17, 19.5, 21.5, 24, 24, 26, 28.5, 30.5] cm from underarm or 1 row shorter than Front to shoulder, ending after a RS row.

Next row [WS]: Patt 11[14, 17, 19, 22, 25, 27, 30, 33, 35, 38] for right shoulder, BO center 32[32, 32, 34, 34, 34, 36, 36, 36, 38, 38] sts for back neck, patt over rem 11[14, 17, 19, 22, 25, 27, 30, 33, 35, 38] sts.

Break yarn and place each shoulder on a separate holder.

With WS facing, join shoulders using three-needle BO.

Sleeves (make 2)
With larger needle for working a small circumference, beg at the center of the underarm, pick up and knit 36[42, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, 66, 72, 78, 84] sts evenly around armhole. Pm and join to work in the rnd.

Work Rnds 1-10 of Texture patt.

Note: Maintain Texture patt as est throughout sleeve shaping.

Dec rnd: K2tog, patt to last 2 sts, ssk. 2 sts decreased.

Cont in patt, rep Dec rnd every 14[14, 14, 10, 10, 8, 6, 6, 6, 4, 4] rnds 1[2, 2, 1, 2, 0, 6, 10, 4, 14, 14] more time(s), then rep Dec rnd every 12[12, 12, 8, 8, 6, 4, 4, 4, 2, 2] rnds 4[3, 3, 7, 6, 11, 8, 1, 10, 3, 3] time(s). 24[30, 30, 30, 36, 36, 36, 42, 42, 42, 48] sts rem.

Cont even in patt as est until Sleeve measures approx. 16.25[16.5, 16.5, 16.25, 16.5, 16, 15.75, 15.25, 15, 14.5, 14.5] inches / 41.5[42, 42, 41.5, 42, 40.5, 40, 38.5, 38, 37, 37] cm from pick-up edge, ending after Rnd 2, 4, 12, or 14 of Texture patt. Change to smaller needle(s).

Cuff
Work in K1, P1 rib until piece meas 20.25[20.5, 20.5, 20.25, 20.5, 20, 19.75, 19.25, 19, 18.5, 18.5] inches / 51.5[52, 52, 51.5, 52, 51, 50, 49, 48.5, 47, 47] cm from pick-up edge. BO all sts in patt.

FINISHING

Soak finished sweater in cool water with a bit of soap, if desired. Remove from water, place on a towel, and roll the towel up to absorb the excess water. Unroll towel and place on a flat surface, patting it into shape. Let dry. Weave in ends.

Collar
With smaller 16-inch/40cm circular needle and with RS facing, beg at lower corner of Right Front Neck edge, pick up and knit 20[20, 20, 20, 22, 22, 22, 24, 24, 26, 26] sts along Right Front neck edge, pick up and knit 32[32, 32, 34, 34, 34, 36, 36, 36, 38, 38] sts along Back Neck, then pick up and knit 20[20, 20, 20, 22, 22, 22, 24, 24, 26, 26] sts along Left Front Neck Edge (do not pick up any stitches along BO edge of center Front). 72[72, 72, 74, 78, 78, 80, 84, 84, 90, 90] sts.
Work flat in K1, P1 Rib for 5.75[5.75, 5.75, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5, 7, 7, 7, 7.5, 7.5] inches / 14.5[14.5, 14.5, 16.5, 16.5, 16.5, 18, 18, 18, 19, 19] cm, ending after a WS row.

Shape collar:
Short Row 1 [RS]: Patt to last 10[10, 10, 11, 12, 12, 13, 14, 14, 15, 15] sts, w&t.
Short Row 2 [WS]: Patt to last 10[10, 10, 11, 12, 12, 13, 14, 14, 15, 15] sts, w&t.

Short Row 3: Patt to 4 sts before last wrapped stitch, w&t.
Short Row 4: Patt to 4 sts before last wrapped stitch, w&t.
Rep Short Rows 3-4 4 more times.

Next row [RS]: Patt to end, working wraps together with their corresponding sts.
Next row [WS]: Patt to end, working wraps together with their corresponding sts.

Work even in patt as est, if necessary, until piece measures 6.25[6.25, 6.25, 7, 7, 7, 7.5, 7.5, 7.5, 8, 8] inches / 16[16, 16, 18, 18, 18, 19, 19, 19, 20.5, 20.5] cm from pick-up edge, measuring from Left or Right Front edge (do not measure from Back Neck edge due to short rows).
BO all sts in patt.

Sew right side edge of collar to Front Neck BO edge. Sew left side of collar to Front Neck BO edge behind the right side. Gently block collar. Weave in rem ends.
Fold collar down and sleeve cuffs up (if necessary) to wear.

A - Chest Circumference: 30.75[34.25, 37.75, 41.25, 44.5, 48, 51.5, 54.75, 58.25, 61.75, 65.25] inches / 78[87, 96, 105, 113, 122, 131, 139, 148, 157, 165.5] cm
B - Body Length from Hem to Underarm: 14.5[14.5, 15, 15, 15, 15.5, 15.5, 15.5, 16, 16, 16] inches / 37[37, 38, 38, 38, 39.5, 39.5, 39.5, 40.5, 40.5, 40.5] cm
C - Armhole Depth: 5.25[6, 6, 6.75, 7.75, 8.5, 9.5, 9.5, 10.25, 11.25, 12] inches / 13.5[15, 15, 17, 19.5, 21.5, 24, 24, 26, 28.5, 30.5] cm
D - Shoulder Width: 3.25[4, 4.75, 5.5, 6.25, 7.25, 7.75, 8.5, 9.5, 10, 10.75] inches / 8.5[10, 12, 14, 16, 18.5, 19.5, 21.5, 24, 25.5, 27.5] cm
E - Neck Width: 9.25[9.25, 9.25, 9.75, 9.75, 9.75, 10.25, 10.25, 10.25, 10.75, 10.75] inches / 23.5[23.5, 23.5, 25, 25, 25, 26, 26, 26, 27.5, 27.5] cm
F - Neck Depth: 5[5.5, 5.5, 5.25, 6, 6, 6, 6.5, 6.5, 7, 7] inches / 12.5[14, 14, 13.5, 15, 15, 15, 16.5, 16.5, 18, 18] cm
G - Upper Arm Circumference: 10.25[12, 12, 13.75, 15.5, 17.25, 18.75, 18.75, 20.5, 22.25, 24] inches / 26[30.5, 30.5, 35, 39.5, 44, 47.5, 47.5, 52, 56.5, 61] cm
H - Cuff Circumference (stretched): 6.75[8.5, 8.5, 8.5, 10.25, 10.25, 10.25, 12, 12, 12, 13.75] inches / 17[21.5, 21.5, 21.5, 26, 26, 26, 30.5, 30.5, 30.5, 35] cm
I - Sleeve Length (Cuffs folded): 18.25[18.5, 18.5, 18.25, 18.5, 18, 17.75, 17.25, 17, 16.5, 16.5] ] inches / 46.5[47, 47, 46.5, 47, 45.5, 45, 44, 43, 42, 42] cm
J - Sleeve Length (Cuffs unfolded): 20.25[20.5, 20.5, 20.25, 20.5, 20, 19.75, 19.25, 19, 18.5, 18.5] inches / 51.5[52, 52, 51.5, 52, 51, 50, 49, 48.5, 47, 47] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Rachel Brockman is the creative lead for Universal Yarn and also designs independently. When she isn't knitting, she's probably playing with her pups, climbing, or watching John Carpenter's The Thing for the millionth time with her husband.

You can find her on Ravelry as Racheleilei and on Instagram as rachbrocknits.