From the beginning, I knew I wanted to design a stranded sweater – I love knitting with multiple colors and combining colors. While developing SELENE SWEATER, my thoughts circled the idea of a feminine sweater with Nordic references and a distinct look; at the same time, I wanted to give the knitter both a challenge and a cozy project that you want to keep working on because it’s so enjoyable.
I’ve chosen to work in Isager Tweed, a rustic and classic fall yarn. The tweed yarn is held together with two strands of silk mohair yarn, which are light, soft, and feminine. This combination of threads lends itself perfectly to mixing colors to create your personalized favorite colors. For example, I have combined the blue tweed yarn with a bright blue and a pastel purple silk mohair for the blue version of the sweater. This combination of colors gives the sweater its lovely and unique blue mélange main color.
The combination of yarns is also suitable for finding one's leftover yarns and creating your unique and personal version – I know I’ll be doing the same this fall.
First, stitches are cast on for the neck edge using the Italian cast on technique, and the neck edge is worked in a twisted rib. Then, the yoke is worked in the stranded pattern from the right side. Before the work is divided into sleeves and body, short rows are worked across the back of the yoke to create roominess and a good fit.
If you want a slightly less advanced project, a regular long-tail cast-on can replace the Italian cast-on. Just take care not to cast on too tightly. A regular bind-off can also replace the Italian bind-off.
Sizes
Sizes: 1 (2) 3 (4) 5 (6) 7
Bust circumference: 94 (98) 104 (110) 118 (126) 134 cm
Length: 53 (54) 56 (58) 60 (61) 62 cm
Sleeve length: 40 (41) 42 (42) 42 (42) 42 cm
Sleeve circumference: 34 (35) 36 (37) 39 (40) 42 cm
How much positive ease you like in your clothes varies from person to person. Measuring some of your favorite tops can be a good idea to help you choose the perfect size.
My SELENE SWEATER has 11 cm of positive ease.
The blue and the brown versions of SELENE SWEATER in the photos are both size 1. The blue version has been worked 4 cm shorter than what the pattern says, so it goes perfectly with my high-waist jeans.
Needles
4 mm double-pointed needles
4 mm and 4.5 mm circular needles, 40, 60, and 80 cm
Optional: a 4 mm needle for the Italian cast on
NOTE: I choose a needle 0.5-1 mm larger when working the stranded pattern to maintain the same gauge as when working in stockinette stitch. It is different from knitter to knitter whether or not your gauge changes when you’re knitting with more than one color. For this reason, I recommend knitting a swatch before beginning your sweater.
Gauge
20 sts x 28 rows in stockinette stitch on a 4 mm needle = 10 x 10 cm
20 sts x 23 rows in pattern on a 4.5 mm needle = 10 x 10 cm
Materials
Version 1 (blue)
Color A: 200 (250) 250 (250) 300 (300) 350 g Isager Tweed by Isager in color Topaz (70% wool, 30% mohair; 200 m/50 g)
Color A: 75 (100) 100 (100) 125 (125) 125 g Cava by Garna in color Lyseblå (73% super kid mohair, 27% silk; 250 m/25 g)
Color A: 75 (100) 100 (125) 125 (125) 150 g Fine Kid Mohair by Walløe in color 38 (72% fine kid mohair, 28% silk; 210 m/25 g)
- the three strands of yarn are held together throughout
Color B: 50 (50) 50 (50) 50 (50) 50 g Isager Tweed by Isager in color Raw White (70% wool, 30% mohair; 200 m/50 g)
Color B: 25 (25) 25 (25) 25 (25) 25 g Silk Mohair by Isager in color 0 (75% super kid mohair, 25% silk; 212 m/25 g)
Color B: 25 (25) 25 (25) 25 (25) 25 g Fine Kid Mohair by Walløe in color 5 (72% fine kid mohair, 28% silk; 210 m/25 g)
- the three strands of yarn are held together throughout
Version 2 (dark brown)
Color A: 200 (250) 250 (250) 300 (300) 350 g Isager Tweed by Isager in color Charcoal (70% wool, 30% mohair; 200 m/50 g)
Color A: 75 (100) 100 (125) 125 (125) 150 g Silk Mohair by Isager in color 30 (75% super kid mohair, 25% silk; 212 m/25 g)
Color A: 75 (100) 100 (125) 125 (125) 150 g Silk Mohair by Isager in color 34 (75% super kid mohair, 25% silk; 212 m/25 g)
- the three strands of yarn are held together throughout
Color B: 50 (50) 50 (50) 50 (50) 50 g Isager Tweed by Isager in color Raw White (70% wool, 30% mohair; 200 m/50 g)
Color B: 25 (25) 25 (25) 25 (25) 25 g Silk Mohair by Isager in color E0 (75% super kid mohair, 25% silk; 212 m/25 g)
Color B: 25 (25) 25 (25) 25 (25) 25 g Silk Mohair by Isager in color 0 (75% super kid mohair, 25% silk; 212 m/25 g)
- the three strands of yarn are held together throughout.
