INTRODUCTION

McVie

by Stephanie Earp

I'm a summer lover, no doubt about it. And the sun brings out a different side of me, fashion-wise. A basic sweater-and-jeans gal 8 months out of 12, June arrives and suddenly it's all ikat sundresses, bold prints, and turquoise jewelry. But I'd never fully incorporated hand knits into my boho summer vibe, and clearly, that needed to change.

The McVie Sweater is designed to be layered over favorite summer staples like tanks, camisoles and dresses. It also looks great with rolled-up jeans. The eyelets in the body and sleeves serve two purposes – they keep this already lightweight garment nice and breezy, and they let pops of color and print show through. The sleeves are loose fitting and bracelet length, ideal for showing off chunky bangles, leather cuffs or camp-made friendship bracelets.

Knit flat and seamed, this drop-shoulder sweater features very simple construction, but it does require time and attention to detail in the finishing – unless you feel comfortable using a sewing machine to stitch it up, as I did for my sample. Then it flies by in no time!

model + photos: Stephanie Earp

SIZE

 XS[S,  M,  L,  1X,  2X,  3X,  4X,  5X]
shown in size S with 9 inches/23 cm of positive ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest circumference at underarm:  41.25[45.25, 49.25, 53.25, 57.25, 61.25, 65.25, 69.25, 73.25] inches /  105[115, 125, 135.5, 145.5, 155.5, 165.5, 176, 186] cm
Length:  19.5[20, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 22, 23, 23.25, 23.5] inches /  49.5[51, 52, 53, 54.5, 56, 58, 59, 59.5] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
BC Garn Bio Balance [55% Organic Wool; 45% Organic Cotton; 246 y/225 m per 50 g skein]; shown in colour 16 Curry;  4[4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7] skeins

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses a 3-ply blend of cotton and wool in fingering weight. This blend gives a nice balance of softness and crispness, allowing for both drape and stitch definition.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 US 2.5/3mm circular needle, 24 inches / 60 cm long for working neckline in the round
1 pair US 6/4mm straight or circular needle for working body and sleeves flat
1 pair US 4/3.5mm needles for working flat (for ribbing)

Notions
stitch markers
cable needle, if desired
darning needle

GAUGE

20 sts/28 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch with largest needles

PATTERN NOTES

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

This garment is worked flat from the bottom up and seamed. The sleeves are bracelet length and loose fitting, even at the cuff. When choosing a size, refer to your chest circumference at the underarm and choose a size that gives 9-11 inches/23-28 cm of positive ease. If you are between sizes, let your shoulders guide you. If you are broad shouldered, go up a size, and if you have narrow shoulders, go down.

3/3 RC: Sl next 3 sts to cn and hold in back, k3 from left needle, k3 from cn.
3/3 LC: Sl next 3 sts to cn and hold in front, k3 from left needle, k3 from cn.

DIRECTIONS

Back

Using middle sized needles (for ribbing), CO 105[115, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165, 175, 185] sts.

Set-up row [WS]: K1, p to last st, k1.

Row 1 [RS]: K1, (k1, p1) to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2 [WS]: K1, p1, (k1, p1) to last st, k1.

Rep Rows 1-2 until rib measures 1.5 inches / 4 cm, ending after a RS row. Change to largest needles (for Body).

Next row [WS]: K 36[41, 46, 51, 56, 61, 66, 71, 76] , pm, p1, k1, (p6, k1) twice, p1, k1, (p6, k1) twice, p1, pm, k 36[41, 46, 51, 56, 61, 66, 71, 76] .

Begin Pattern:
Row 1 [RS]: K1, p to m, sl m, k1, (p1, k6) twice, p1, k1, (p1, k6) twice, p1, k1, sl m, p to last st, k1.
Row 2 and every foll WS row: K to m, slip marker, p1, (k1, p6) twice, k1, p1, (k1, p6) twice, k1, p1, sl m, k to end.
Row 3: K1, (p3, yo, p2tog) to m, sl m, k1, (p1, 3/3 LC, p1, 3/3 RC, p1, k1) twice, sl m, (p2tog, yo, p3) to last st, k1.
Row 5: Rep Row 1.
Row 7: Rep Row 1.
Row 9: K1, p5, (yo, p2tog, p3) to m, sl m, k1, (p1, k6) twice, p1, k1, (p1, k6) twice, p1, k1, sl m, (p3, p2tog, yo) to last 6 sts, p5, k1.
Row 11: Rep Row 1
Row 12 [WS]: K to m, sl m, p1, (k1, p6) twice, k1, p1, (k1, p6) twice, k1, p1, sl m, k to end.

Rep Rows 1-12 until work measures 18.5[19, 19.5, 20, 20.5, 20.5, 22, 22.25, 22.5] inches / 47[48.5, 49.5, 51, 52, 52, 56, 56.5, 57] cm, ending after a WS row. Make note of last pattern row worked.

Divide for Back Left and Right Shoulders:
Next row [RS] Patt 30[35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70] , BO 45 sts for back neck, patt to end. Cont on these 30[35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70] sts only for back left shoulder.

Left Back Shoulder
Row 1 [WS]: K to last 2 sts, k2tog. 1 st decreased.
Row 2 [RS]: Work even in patt.
Rep Rows 1-2 twice more.

BO rem 27[32, 37, 42, 47, 52, 57, 62, 67] sts.

Right Back Shoulder
With WS facing, join yarn to 30[35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70] sts held for back right shoulder.

Row 1 [WS]: SSK, k to end. 1 st decreased.
Row 2 [RS]: Work even in patt.
Rep Rows 1-2 twice more.

BO rem 27[32, 37, 42, 47, 52, 57, 62, 67] sts.

Front

Work as for Back until piece measures 12 rows shorter than Back to neck BO (ending after a WS row).

Divide for neck:
Next row [RS]: Patt 33[38, 43, 48, 53, 58, 63, 68, 73] , BO 39 sts, patt to end. Cont on these 33[38, 43, 48, 53, 58, 63, 68, 73] sts only for Front Right Neck and Shoulder.

Front Right Neck and Shoulder
Row 1 [WS]: K to last 2 sts, k2tog. 1 st decreased.
Row 2 [RS]: Work even in patt.
Rep Rows 1-2 another 5 times.

BO rem 27[32, 37, 42, 47, 52, 57, 62, 67] sts.

Front Left Neck and Shoulder
Join yarn to 33[38, 43, 48, 53, 58, 63, 68, 73] sts held for front left neck and shoulder with WS facing.

Row 1 [WS]: SSK, k to end. 1 st decreased.
Row 2 [RS]: Work even in patt.
Rep Rows 1-2 another 5 times.

BO rem 27[32, 37, 42, 47, 52, 57, 62, 67] sts.

Sleeves (make 2)

Using middle sized needles (for ribbing), CO 63[67, 67, 67, 73, 73, 79, 79, 83] sts.

Set-Up Row [WS]: K1, p to last st, k1.

Row 1 [RS]: K1, (k1, p1) to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2 [WS]: K1, p1, (k1, p1) to last st, k1.
Rep Rows 1-2 until rib measures 1.5 inches / 4 cm, ending after a RS row. Change to largest needles (for Body and Sleeves).

Set-up row [WS]: K 2[1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] , pm, k to last 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 1] st(s), pm, k to end.

Note: Read ahead! Pattern stitch begins at the same time as increases are worked.

Row 1 [RS]: Purl.
Row 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10 [WS]: Knit.
Row 3 [RS]: P to m, (p3, yo, p2tog) to m, sl m, p to end.
Row 5: Purl.
Row 7: Purl.
Row 9: P to m, p5, (yo, p2tog, p3) to 3 sts before m, p to m, sl m, p to end.
Row 11: Rep Row 1
Row 12 [WS]: Purl.

Rep these 12 rows for patt; AT THE SAME TIME, inc 1 st at each end of Row 7[7, 7, 7, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5] , then every foll 6[6, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4] rows 10[10, 13, 13, 15, 15, 20, 20, 20] times more, working inc row as follows and keeping increased sts outside of markers:

Inc row [RS]: P1, m1p, patt to last st, m1p, p1. 2 sts increased.

 85[89, 95, 95, 105, 105, 121, 121, 125] sts after all inc rows have been worked.

Work even in patt if necessary until sleeve measures 13.5 inches / 34.5 cm, ending after a WS row.

BO loosely.

FINISHING

For easy seaming, block pieces first. To block, soak in cool water for at least 5 minutes, with wool wash if desired. Press out water and lay flat to dry.

Seam by hand using mattress stitch, or by machine using straight stitch with an 1/8 inch/3mm seam allowance. Sew shoulder seams. Center sleeves in armhole and sew into place. For best fit, be sure not to crowd the sleeve.

Sew side seams and sleeve seams.

Neck Edging
With smallest circular needle, pick up and knit 116 sts around neck opening, beginning at center back. Place marker and join for working in the round.

Rib rnd: (K1, p1) to end.
Rep this rnd until neck edging measures 1.5 inches/4 cm.

BO loosely in rib or using a stretchy bind off technique.

Weave in ends and, if desired, block again to relax seams and set neck ribbing. With a steamer or steam iron, apply steam gently to sewn seams and edging. If using an iron, press gently -- don't flatten your stitchwork.

A – Back Width at Underarm:  20.5[22.5, 24.5, 26.5, 28.5, 30.5, 32.5, 34.5, 36.5] inches / 52[57, 62, 67.5, 72.5, 77.5, 82.5, 87.5, 92.5] cm
B – Body Length: 11[11.25, 11, 11.5, 11, 11, 11, 11.25, 11] inches / 28[28.5, 28, 29, 28, 28, 28, 28.5, 28] cm
C – Back Neck Width: 10.25 inches / 26 cm
D – Sleeve Length: 13.5 inches / 34.5 cm
E – Armhole Depth/Upper Arm Circumference: 17[17.75, 19, 19, 21, 21, 24.25, 24.25, 25] inches / 43[45, 48.5, 48.5, 53.5, 53.5, 61, 61.5, 63.5] cm
F – Cuff Circumference (stretched):  12.5[13.5, 13.5, 13.5, 14.5, 14.5, 15.75, 15.75, 16.5] inches / 32[34.5, 34.5, 34.5, 37, 37, 40, 40, 42] cm
G – Armhole Depth: 8.5[8.875, 9.5, 9.5, 10.5, 10.5, 12.125, 12.125, 12.5] inches / 8.5[8.875, 9.5, 9.5, 10.5, 10.5, 12.125, 12.125, 12.5] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Stephanie Earp lives in Montreal, where she designs patterns and cases for knitters. Her designs have appeared in 52 Weeks of Shawls, Pom Pom Quarterly and Making Stories. She recently released a fall capsule collection with Manos del Uruguay.

Find her online at stephanieearp.com and on Instagram. She is the co-owner of Espace Tricot, an LYS in Montreal.

Pattern & images © 2022 Stephanie Earp