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Every year when the temperature drops and the snow begins to fly, I get the itch to make a stranded colourwork sweater. There are so many lovely patterns, both traditional and new, but while combing through them I realized there were modifications I would want to make, primarily to the construction method. This exercise quickly evolved into a completely new design!

For this design, the yoke is worked first, bottom up, since decreases are less noticeable in a round yoke than increases, and then the body and sleeves are worked top down, to make it easier to customize the length of each. This is enabled by a provisional cast on at the bottom of the yoke. Short rows are used to shape the yoke & neckline. Otherwise the sweater is knit entirely in the round.

With regard to colours, each contrasting colour only touches the main colour (other than within the motif immediately above and below the flowers), so it is easier to decide on colours or alter them as you go, compared to the more intricate designs where many of the colours are side by side. I felt this would give it a clean, modern, sort of “stencilled” look. It would work really well with only 2 or 3 colours as well.

It is intended to fit with anywhere from 0 to 5 inches of ease. I like my sweaters loose, so it’s shown here with about 5 inches of ease. The pattern includes optional waist shaping if you prefer a more fitted style.

Links that may be helpful (also provided in the pattern):
Provisional crochet cast on
’yo’ short rows
Stranded colour work

Yarn Requirements: MC / CC1 / CC2 / CC3 / CC4
Shown in BT Shelter: MC=sweatshirt, CC1 = snowbound, CC2 = long johns, CC3 = soot, CC4 = cast iron

XS: 800 / 85 / 22 / 30 / 25 yds
S: 900 / 90 / 22 / 30 / 25 yds
M: 1000 / 95 / 25 / 35 / 30 yds
L: 1100 / 100 / 25 / 35 / 30 yds
XL: 1220 / 110 / 30 / 40 / 35 yds
XXL: 1320 / 115 / 30 / 40 / 35 yds