Frost Fair by Elizabeth Felgate

Frost Fair

Knitting
March 2021
Worsted (9 wpi) ?
20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette
US 8 - 5.0 mm
US 7 - 4.5 mm
886 - 1810 yards (810 - 1655 m)
XS-X6L
English
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Frost fair: inspired by the idea of lanterns stringing across the tents and booths on a frost fair after dark, this yoke sweater is a simple worsted knit in a wide range of sizes.

Frost fairs were held on the River Thames when it froze solid, and are recorded occurring between the 7th and 19th Century. As the Thames has not frozen solid since 1814, they now have an almost legendary status. These impromptu festivals featured all manner of entertainments from bull-baiting to ice skating, puppet shows , vendors of food and drink, gambling and even barbers plying their trade. For this sweater I imagined the lanterns strung from tents and sideshows to light the gloom of winter.

Being modelled here with about 10% positive ease (circa 9cm/4in)

Worked top down in the round, sleeves and yoke are increased together and sleeves are then held on waste yarn while the rest of the body is worked. Short rows are used to raise the back of neck and to lengthen the back.

Pattern contains
written instructions and schematic. Chart only for colourwork. Links to tutorials for help with colourwork, suggested cast on etc.

Sizes:

The pattern is written out in ascending order of size with 4 ascending sizes grouped in a set for ease of reference throughout the pattern. Set A is the smallest set and set D the largest. Measurements are finished garment sizes. This design is intended to be worn with approx 10% positive ease against actual measurements as modelled:
Set A cm (83, 88,93.5,99.5)
Set A inches (32.75, 34.75, 36.75, 39.25)
Set B cm (104, 110, 116, 120.5)
Set B inches (41, 43.75, 45.75, 47.5)
Set C cm (126,132,139,144)
Set C inches (49.5, 52, 54.75, 56.75)
Set D cm (148, 153.5, 159, 164)
Set D inches (58.25, 60.5, 62.5. 64.5)

#sizeinclusive

Gauge & needles:
20 stitches and 28 rounds to 10 cm/4 inches over stockinette using main working needle.

5 mm/US 8 circular needle with a long cable or correct needle size to achieve gauge, plus a needle ½ mm/ 1 US size smaller for bottom hem.

Skills required:

knit & purl in the round
increasing and decreasing
short rows
stranded knitting

Yarn and yardage
Cascade 220 or similar worsted weight wool yarn in the following approximate amounts:
MC (Aporto 4009): Set A 4 skeins or (685,745,800,850) metres/(715,780,835,890) yards
Set B: (5,5,6.6) skeins or (905,975,1035,1095) metres/(945,1015,1085,1140) yards
Set C: (6,7,7,7) skeins or (1150,1230,1300,1370) metres/(1200,1285,1355,1430) yards
Set D: (7,7,8,9) skeins or (1445,1525,1605,1680) metres/(1505,1595,1675,1755) yards
CC (Natural 8010): Set A 1 skein or (95,105,110,120) metres/(100,110,115,125) yards
Set B: 1 skein or (125,135,145,150) metres/(130,140,150,160) yards
Set C: 1 skein or (160,170,180,190) metres/(165,175,185,195) yards
Set D: 2 skeins or (200,210,220,230) metres/(210,220,230,240) yards

These allowances are based on sweater lengths for an average height of 165cm/5’4”. If you are tall you may wish to allow extra. Where the amount used is very close to the end of a skein, I have suggested an extra skein for safety.

Always allow extra yarn