I love sweaters with simple all-over stitch patterns. I find the repetitive stitches soothing to work with just enough interruption to keep my attention.

Varina is worked mostly in double seed stitch (a multiple of 2 stitches and 4 rows) and accented with a narrow cable-rib panel along the center front and back. Worked from the bottom up in four easy pieces that are seamed together, this pullover features a slight A-line shape for ease of movement and is finished with a mock turtleneck that includes extensions of the two cable panels.

The yarn shown here, a terrifically luxurious blend of merino, yak, and alpaca, produces a light and lofty fabric that booms beautifully with wet-blocking, and feels sumptuous next to the skin

Yarn Worsted weight (CYCA #4 Medium): Lion Brand LB Collection Merino Yak Alpaca (70% merino wool, 15% yak, 15% alpaca; 126 yd 115 meters/50 g): Oatmeal, 8 (9, 10, 10, 11) (11, 12, 12, 13) balls.
Needles Body and Sleeves: Size U.S. 9 (5.5 mm).
Neckband: Size U.S. 8 (5 mm): 16” (40 cm) circular.
Gauge 19 sts and 26 rows = 4” (10 cm) in Double Seed Stitch using larger needles, after blocking.
12 sts of Cable Panel = 2” (5 cm) using larger needles, after blocking.

Notes
• Sweater shown measures 47” (119.5 cm) bust/chest circumference, worn with about 6” (15 cm) of positive ease.
• A garter-stitch (knit every row) selvedge stitch is worked at each of the needle throughout.
• The Cable Panel chart is worked in back and forth in rows and in also rounds. When working back and forth in rows, work odd-numbered chart rows as RS rows, and even-numbered chart rows as WS rows. When working in the round, work every chart row as a RS row.
• The Tubular method of binding off was used for the funnel neck on the sample shown; a tutorial is available online at shibuiknits.com/pages/tubular-bind-off.