This pattern is part of The Confluence Collection.

This lovely sweater, with just a bit of texture at the cast on edges and smocking across the shoulders is a versatile addition to any wardrobe. The V neck shaping is echoed by a V at the back of the neck. The smocking is continuous across the front shoulder and the back shoulder, where it’s attached to an angled back for a better fit.

This sweater is knit flat with fronts and back in one piece from the bottom hem to the armhole bind off, with waist shaping set in to form darts on both fronts and the back. At the armholes, the fronts and back split. The back is gently shaped and then short rows are added to make a peak of fabric at the center back. The smocked fronts of the sweater wrap over the tops of the shoulders to create the back neck shaping, then they are seamed into the short row peak on the center back. This creates a V at the neck in both front and back, with angled shoulders for fit and continuous smocking pattern over the shoulder. This sweater is designed to be worn with 1-2 inches (2.5-5cm) of positive ease. The narrowest point of the sweater will hit at the natural waist. Sweater is shown in 37 inch finished size on a 36 inch bust.

Yarn: 890{1000, 1150, 1250, 1350, 1475, 1575} yards of heavy worsted or aran weight yarn. Sample shown in Swans Island Merino Worsted (Natural Heathers are colored with natural alpaca, and dyed versions are 100% Organic Merino Wool, 250 yds per 100 gm skein) in ‘Oatmeal’; 11 wpi

Needles: 4.5mm (US 7) circular needle or size needed to obtain gauge. A 32-inch or longer circular needle recommended.

Gauge: 19 stitches & 26 rows in 4 inches (10cm) square in stockinette stitch after blocking.

Finished Sizes: XS{S, M, L, 1x, 2x, 3x} corresponding to bust circumference of 32{36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56} inches (81.5{91.5, 101.5, 112, 122, 132, 142}cm). For specific measurements, see schematic on page 2.

Notions: 4 stitch markers, cable needle, scrap yarn or stitch holders to hold live stitches, tapestry needle to weave in ends. Seven buttons (5/8-inch).

Cast on should be worked with a long-tail method over two needles (or a circular needle with the two points held together) as shown in the tutorial video at http://youtu.be/IhQaIckH5H0. When the extra needle is removed, the cast on is even, but loose enough to block easily. It also makes knitting your first row a breeze.

All charts are also given with text transcriptions of the chart.

Short rows in this pattern are to be worked as follows: w&t on RS: sl next st purlwise, bring the yarn to the front between the needles, return slipped stitch to the left needle. Bring the yarn to the back of the work, turn and continue. w&t on WS: sl next st purlwise, bring the yarn to the back between the needles, return slipped stitch to the left needle. Bring the yarn to the front of the work, turn and continue. Pick up Row on RS: insert the right needle from bottom to top through the wrap and then through the wrapped stitch as if to knit. Knit the two sts together. Pick up Row on WS: insert the left needle from top to bottom into the wrap and then through the wrapped stitch as if to purl, then purl these two loops together as one. It might be helpful to lift the wrap onto the left hand needle first and then purl the two sts together.

A tutorial for picking up stitches for the bands can be found here (http://youtu.be/qJ73Rl_UskA)

Stitches Used: knit, purl, k2tog, slipped stitches, ssk, p2tog, wrap & turn short rows with detailed instructions, make 1 left, make 1 right, make 1 purl, smocking with detailed instructions, working buttonholes.

Photos Copyright Caro Sheridan