The Dalloway sweater is a classic yoke pullover, which is sure to become an instant wardrobe staple. It uses just two shades of yarn to create a graphic colourwork design, inspired by a coat worn by Virginia Woolf.

Dalloway is named for Woolf’s captivating novel, Mrs Dalloway, and its titular character. The novel details a single day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway as she prepares for a party she will host in the evening, and as she reflects on her past and her relationships with others.

Throughout the book, Woolf references knitting as both a symbol of everyday life, and to evoke resilience of spirit and a quiet strength in the characters seen knitting. Woolf was a knitter herself, who often used the craft to help with her mental health, finding that knitting calmed and helped focus her mind. Talking to her husband, Leonard Woolf, she is quoted as saying “knitting is the saving of life”. Words many of us would agree with I’m sure.

Dalloway is a top-down colourwork yoke sweater. Increases are worked across the yoke with short row shaping also worked to create neck shaping. The work is separated at the underarm with the body and sleeves worked separately in the round. The colourwork yoke is worked from a chart, which is read from right to left on every round.

Susan Crawford Barn DK is an artisanal yarn, blended and spun exclusively for Susan Crawford at a local mill, using a unique blend of Jacob and white and black Shetland fleeces, to create a delightfully lofty, soft, grey yarn displaying the characteristics of British breed sheep. The yarn has been worsted spun for added smoothness, softness and longevity but retains a wonderful plumpness. This blend creates beautiful stitch definition alongside a soft halo, making it the perfect yarn for a warm and cosy colourwork garment.

The pattern is available in nine sizes, to fit 71–157cm (28–62in) chest with between 10–15cm (4–6in) of positive ease. It includes written instructions, full colour charts and a helpful schematic.

Yarn kits are available at Susan Crawford Vintage.

Yarn
Susan Crawford Barn, 100% British wool, a unique blend of Jacob, white Shetland and black Shetland fleeces,DK weight (225m / 246yds per 100g skein approx)
4 (4, 5, 5, 6) (6, 7, 7, 8) skeins, shade Dry Stone Wall
1 (1, 1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 2, 2) skeins, shade Night Sky

Suggested needles
Small Needles: 3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle (80-100 cm / 32-40 in)
3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle (40 cm / 16 in)
or set of DPNs
Large Needles: 4.5 mm (US 7) circular needle (80-100 cm / 32-40 in)
4.5 mm (US 7) circular needle (40 cm / 16 in)
or set of DPNs

Gauge
23 sts and 26 rounds = 10 cm / 4 in over Yoke Chart worked in the round, after blocking. We obtained this gauge using 4.5 mm needles.
20 sts and 26 rounds = 10 cm / 4 in over stocking stitch worked in the round, after blocking. We obtained this gauge using 4.5 mm needles.

Notions
Waste yarn or stitch holders, stitch markers, tapestry needle.

Techniques
Knitting in the round
Increases and decreases
Short rows
Reading a chart