This garment was based on a sweater I bought—with bows at the shoulder and hip. But after knitting my own version of it, I realized that I could give it a little hourglass with a third bow. (And three of something is always a better design than two.) The advantage of this third bow is not only the shape itself but that you are in control of how much shape you want, and you don’t make that decision until after the piece is knit. Maybe there are other garments you have knit that could benefit from this treatment.

Skill Level: Intermediate
Sizes
Finished circumference at hem (approximate) 53 (57, 61, 65, 69)“ (134.5 145, 155, 165, 175 cm)
Finished circumference at bust 35.5 (39, 43.5, 47.5, 51.5)” (90 99, 110.5, 120.5, 131 cm)
Finished length (on long side, over weight 3 yarn) 27.5 (28, 28.5, 29, 29.5)“ (70 71, 72.5, 74, 75 cm) Weight 4 yarn garment will be approximately 2” (5 cm) longer unless shortened.
Finished shoulder width 14.5” (37 cm) Shoulders may stretch 2” (5 cm) wider than this measurement.
Finished sleeve length 28.5 (29, 29.5, 30, 30.5)” (72.5 74, 75, 76, 77.5 cm)

Materials

• 1,080 (1,200, 1,320, 1,440, 1,560) yd. (988 1,098, 1,207, 1,317, 1,426 m)/10 (11, 12, 13, 14) skeins Koigu Kersti (100% merino wool, each approximately 1.75 oz. (50 g) and 114 yd. (104 m), in color P700
• 1,080 (1,200, 1,320, 1,440, 1,560) yd. (988 1,098, 1,207, 1,317, 1,426 m)/5 (5, 6, 6, 7) skeins Mountain Colors River Twist (100% merino wool, each approximately 3.5 oz. 100 g and 240 yd. 220 m), in color Crazy Creek (Ed. note: These appear to be either/or options, a DK or a worsted, not needing both types of yarn for one sweater.)
• One pair size 7 (4.5 mm) needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.

Gauge

• 18 stitches and 28 rows = 4” (10 cm) on weight 3 yarn, over stockinette stitch, after steam-pressing or washing
• 18 stitches and 27 rows = 4” (10 cm) on weight 4 yarn, over stockinette stitch, after steam-pressing or washing.

Notes

• This garment is an A-line with a diagonal hem. The third bow—which gives an hourglass shape—is optional and added to the front as part of finishing.
• Because of the side tie, the hem measurement is approximate.
• Variegated yarns can create “pooling” of colors. You can deal with this by working from three balls of yarn, one row in each.