INTRODUCTION

Wheel of Life

by Aubrey Busek

As a designer, I'm inspired by many things. From nature, to science, to art, one thing that always strikes my interest is the mystery of life. I love mythology and am always interested in visual symbolism about life and death. The Wheel of Life sweater was inspired by the mystery of life. The fleur de lis mimics the Lily flower, which is a symbol of birth. So at the bottom of the sweater, we have the planting of flowers or birth of life. In the yoke of the sweater, there are moons and stars. I'm always fascinated by the beauty of stars and their finite life in the Universe. To me, the exploding of a star is a stunning embodiment of death. So, the moons and stars symbolize death. Then, in between the symbols of birth and death, you have what looks mildly like a strand of DNA or the infinity symbol. In my design, this represents the wheel of life, ever turning, always moving.

I wanted the beautiful textures of the two yarns held together and of course, the colorwork to be the focus in this sweater. I chose a color palette that feels very much ‘me' as a designer. Soft, yet saturated tones tend to be my favorites, and I always like a pairing of jewel tones with a pastel. Silhouette wise, I love things that feel elegant and elevated, that I can see a lot of people wearing and feeling wonderful in, so I always try to bring that to my design work.

Wheel of life is knit using Deluxe DK Superwash and Penna held together. Deluxe DK is a soft, plump, and smooth 100% superwash wool yarn with an impressive color palette. It makes a fantastic choice for garments and accessories. Penna is a lace weight blend of baby suri alpaca, merino wool, and nylon. This yarn has a romantic color palette and a super soft halo you can't help but touch. It gives an ethereal quality to any piece.

model: Aubrey Busek

photos: Rachel Brockman

SIZE

 XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
sample shown in size Small, worn with 1 inch/2.5 cm of positive ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Bust:  34[38, 41.5, 45.5, 49.25, 53.25, 56.75, 60.75, 64.5] inches / 86.5[96.5, 105.5, 115.5, 125, 135.5, 144, 154.5, 164] cm
Length:  23.25[23.75, 24.25, 24.75, 25.25, 26, 26.5, 27, 27.5] inches / 59[60.5, 61.5, 63, 64, 66, 67.5, 68.5, 70] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Universal Yarn Deluxe DK Superwash [100% superwash wool; 284yd/259m per 100g ball]
[A1] color: 828 Pulp; 3[4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6] balls
[B1] color: 824 Starfish: 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2] ball(s)
[C1] color: 846 Mulberry Heather: 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2] ball(s)

Universal Yarn Penna [50% baby suri alpaca, 28% extra fine merino, 22% nylon; 186yd/170m per 25g ball]
[A2] color: 106 Eggshell: 5[5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10] balls
[B2] color: 111 Whisper: 1[1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] ball(s)
[C2] color: 115 Dusk: 1[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] ball(s)
Note: Yarns are held together throughout, with one strand of A1 and A2 held together for Yarn A, one strand of B1 and B2 held together for Yarn B, and one strand of C1 and C2 held together for Yarn C.

Yarn characteristics: Deluxe DK is a bouncy, multi-ply yarn with good stitch definition, while also being machine washable.

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, 32-40inch / 80-100 cm long

US #7/4.5mm needles for working a small circumference in the round

US #8/5mm circular needle, 32-40inch / 80-100 cm long

US #8/5mm needles for working a small circumference in the round

US #6/4mm circular needle, 32-40inch /80-100 cm long
US #6/4mm needles for working a small circumference in the round

Notions
stitch markers
yarn needle

GAUGE

20 sts /30 rnds = 4 inches/10cm in St st with middle-sized needles
20 sts /26 rnds = 4 inches/10cm in stranded knitting with largest needles

PATTERN NOTES

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

This sweater is knit in the round from the bottom up. Sleeves are knit separately and then attached at the yoke.

This sweater uses colorwork patterns on the hemline and yoke. Carry the unused yarn loosely across the back. Unless your tension is loose, floats across the back can become too tight and result in a sweater without enough elasticity.

K1, P1 Rib
(multiple of 2 sts)
Rnd 1: * K1, p1; rep from * to end.
Rep Rnd 1 for patt.

CHARTS

Work charts in St st unless otherwise noted.

DIRECTIONS

SLEEVES (make 2)
With smallest needles for working a small circumference in the round and Yarn A, cast on 36[36, 36, 36, 36, 36, 40, 40, 40] sts. PM and join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist.

Work in K1, P1 Rib until piece measures 1.5 inches/ 4 cm from cast-on edge.

Change to middle-sized needles.

Inc rnd: K1, m1L, knit to last st, m1R, k1. 2 sts increased.
Work 11[11, 9, 9, 7, 7, 7, 5, 5] rnds in St st.
Rep last 12[12, 10, 10, 8, 8, 8, 6, 6] rnds 5[1, 2, 4, 3, 2, 1, 15, 15] times more. 48[40, 42, 46, 44, 42, 44, 72, 72] sts.

Sizes S-5X only:
Rep Inc rnd.
Work 9[7, 7, 5, 5, 5, 3, 3, ] rnds in St st.
Rep last -[10, 8, 8, 6, 6, 6, 4, 4] rnds -[5, 6, 6, 11, 13, 15, 2, 3] times more. -[52, 56, 60, 68, 70, 76, 78, 80] sts.

All Sizes:
Work even, if necessary, in St st until sleeve measures 17.5[17.5, 17.5, 17.5, 18, 18, 18, 18.5, 18.5] inches / 44.5[44.5, 44.5, 44.5, 45.5, 45.5, 45.5, 47, 47] cm from cast-on edge.

Next rnd: Knit to last 4[4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8] sts, break yarn and place next 8[8, 10, 10, 12, 12, 14, 14, 16] sts on holder (removing marker) for underarm; place remaining 40[44, 46, 50, 56, 58, 62, 64, 64] sts on separate holder for Sleeve.

BODY
With smallest long circ and color A, cast on 170[190, 208, 228, 246, 266, 284, 304, 322] sts. PM and join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist.

Work in K1, P1 Rib until piece measures 1.5 inches / 4 cm from cast-on edge.

Change to largest circ.

Knit 1 rnd, inc 1[0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1] st at beg of rnd. 171[190, 209, 228, 247, 266, 285, 304, 323] sts.

Join Yarns B and C (do not break Yarn A) and work charts as foll:

Work Rnds 1-24 of Hem Chart, working 19-st patt repeat 9[10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17] times across each round.

Break Yarns B and C. Cont with Yarn A only.

Change to middle-size circ.

Knit 1 rnd, dec 1[0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1] st at beg of rnd. 170[190, 208, 228, 246, 266, 284, 304, 322] sts.

Work even in St st until piece measures 14.5[14.5, 14.5, 14.5, 14.5, 15, 15, 15, 15] inches / 37[37, 37, 37, 37, 38, 38, 38, 38] cm from cast-on edge.

Next rnd: Knit to last 4[4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8] sts.

Join Body and Sleeves
Joining rnd: Place next 8[8, 10, 10, 12, 12, 14, 14, 16] sts of Body on holder (last 4[4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8] sts and first 4[4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8] sts of rnd), knit across 40[44, 46, 50, 56, 58, 62, 64, 64] held Sleeve sts, k 77[87, 94, 104, 111, 121, 128, 138, 145] Body sts, place next 8[8, 10, 10, 12, 12, 14, 14, 16] sts on holder, knit over 40[44, 46, 50, 56, 58, 62, 64, 64] held Sleeve sts, k 77[87, 94, 104, 111, 121, 128, 138, 145] Body sts. 234[262, 280, 308, 334, 358, 380, 404, 418] sts.

YOKE
Work even in St st until piece measures 1.5[2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 3.75, 4.25, 4.75, 5.25] inches / 4[5, 6.5, 7.5, 9, 9.5, 11, 12, 13.5] cm from underarm.

Size XS only:
Inc rnd: K19, (M1, k39) 5 times, M1, k20. 240 sts.

Size S only:
Dec rnd: K21, (k2tog, k42) 2 times, k2tog, k41, (k2tog, k42) 2 times, k2tog, k20. 256 sts.

Size M only:
Inc rnd: K17, (M1, k35) 7 times, M1, k18. 288 sts.

Size L only:
Dec rnd: K38, (k2tog, k75) 3 times, k2tog, k37. 304 sts.

Size 1X only:
Inc rnd: K1, m1R, knit to last st, m1L, k1. 336 sts.

Size 2X only:
Dec rnd: K29, (k2tog, k58) 2 times, k2tog, k57, (k2tog, k58) 2 times, k2tog, k28. 352 sts.

Size 3X only:
Inc rnd: K47, (M1, k95) 3 times, M1, k48. 384 sts.

Size 4X only:
Dec rnd: K50, (k2tog, k99) 3 times, k2tog, k49. 400 sts.

Size 5X only:
Dec rnd: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 416 sts.

All sizes
Note: Change to shorter circ when there are too few sts to fit comfortably on longer ndl.

Change to largest circ.

Next rnd: Join Yarns B and C and work Rnd 1 of Yoke patt to end, working 16-st patt repeat 15[16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26] times across each rnd.

Cont as est'd through Rnd 36 of Yoke patt, working decreases as indicated on chart. 90[96, 108, 114, 126, 132, 144, 150, 156] sts rem.

Sizes 2X-5X Only
Dec Rnd: Knit, decreasing -[-, -, -, -, 6, 16, 22, 26] sts evenly around. -[-, -, -, -, 126, 128, 128, 130] sts rem.

All sizes
Change to smallest short circ. Break Yarns B and C. Cont with Yarn A only.

Neckband
Work in K1, P1 Rib for 1.5 inches / 4 cm.
BO all sts in rib patt.

FINISHING

Use Kitchener st to graft held stitches at armholes. Use tails to close any gaps at the ends of the grafts. Gently wash and block to finished measurements. Weave in ends.

A – Hem/Bust:  34[38, 41.5, 45.5, 49.25, 53.25, 56.75, 60.75, 64.5] inches / 86.5[96.5, 105.5, 115.5, 125, 135.5, 144, 154.5, 164] cm
B - Hem to underarm: 14.5[14.5, 14.5, 14.5, 14.5, 15, 15, 15, 15] inches / 37[37, 37, 37, 37, 38, 38, 38, 38] cm
C - Wrist:  7.25[7.25, 7.25, 7.25, 7.25, 7.25, 8, 8, 8] inches / 18[18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 20.5, 20.5, 20.5] cm
D – Upper arm: 9.5[10.5, 11.25, 12, 13.5, 14, 15.25, 15.5, 16] inches / 24[26.5, 28.5, 30.5, 34.5, 35.5, 38.5, 39.5, 40.5] cm
E – Neck (stretched): 18[19.25, 21.5, 22.75, 25.25, 25.25, 25.5, 25.5, 26] inches / 45.5[49, 54.5, 58, 64, 64, 65, 65, 66] cm
F – Yoke Depth: 7.25[7.75, 8.25, 8.75, 9.25, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11] inches / 18.5[19.5, 21, 22, 23.5, 24, 25.5, 26.5, 28] cm
G – Sleeve Length: 17.5[17.5, 17.5, 17.5, 18, 18, 18, 18.5, 18.5] inches / 44.5[44.5, 44.5, 44.5, 45.5, 45.5, 45.5, 47, 47] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Aubrey Busek is a designer for Universal Yarn. She has been knitting since her teens, and worked as a fashion designer prior to starting her job at Universal in 2019. Outside of her work at Universal Yarn, Aubrey continuously expresses her love of all things nerdy. She is an avid costume maker in her free time and loves attending comic book conventions.

Pattern & images © 2021 Aubrey Busek