About the pattern:
This is a raglan sweater knitted top down. The construction includes short rows for neckline shaping. The pattern has detailed instructions with knitting charts and explanatory videos. It also explains in detail how to knit short rows (this isn’t the easiest technique if you’re a beginner, but I hope that with detailed instructions for each size + a video tutorial, it won’t be a problem for you).
The pattern also includes instructions for a T-shirt and offers 3 different collar and hem options (with or without slits).
Knitting gauge: Stockinette Stitch (3.5 mm needles): 25 sts in 10 cm and 36 rows in 10 cm.
Original yarn: Alpakka Ull Sandnes Garn / Weight: Worsted (9 wpi).
The gauge lends closer to a DK/Sport weight yarn, so you may choose a lighter weight yarn if needed.
The gauge of the pattern with worsted weight yarn (Alpakka Ull) is 25 sts per 10 cm (4 inches). Worsted (9 wpi | 10 ply) weight yarn typically knits to a gauge of 20-22 sts per 10 cm (4 inches). A lot depends on how tightly you knit and how dense or loose you prefer your fabric to be. I lean more towards dense than loose, so I knit tightly with a worsted wight yarn.
DK (11 wpi | 8 ply) weight yarn typically knits to a gauge of 22 sts per 10 cm (4 inches).
Sport (12 wpi | 5 ply) weight yarn typically knits to a gauge of 24–26 sts per 10 cm (4 inches).
Choose yarn based on your preferences and knitting density, but keep in mind that this textured star pattern looks best on dense fabric. The video shows a comparison of how the texture looks on worsted and sport weight yarns with a gauge of 25 sts per 10 cm (4 inches).
By the way, you will probably find it easier to meet the gauge if you use wooden needles instead of metal ones. Wooden needles are less slippery and make it easier to control the density of your knitting (the stitches with wooden needles are smaller than with metal needles), but of course the most important thing is how you knit and your personal preferences.
Yarn options from the test group:
• Drops Flora - 3.5 mm needles
• skeiNZ solo 8Ply - 3.5 mm needles - this yarn is hard to find outside of New Zealand, and it’s a little scratchy
• Berroco Ultra Alpaca - 3 mm needles
• Purl Soho Echo Wool (sport weight tweed, 100% wool) - 3 mm needles
• Drops Lima - 3 mm needles - this yarn makes very pronounced stars
• Lion Brand Wool Ease Worsted - 3.25 mm
• Woolen Cotton from KnitPicks - 3 mm
• Drops Karisma - 3.25 mm
• Drops Belle - 3.5 mm
• Cascade 220 Heather - 3.5 mm
• West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft - 3.25 mm
Needles:
• 3.5 mm (US 4) circular needles with 40 cm needle cord for the collar and sleeves.
• 3.5 mm (US 4) circular needles with 80-120 cm needle cord for the body.
• 3.5 (US 4) double pointed needles for the cuffs (you can use circular needles if you prefer Magic Loop technique).
Yardage: 1125-2050 m (1230-2242 yd) of yarn depending on you size XXS-6XL.
Sizes 3XL–6XL have not been tested.
Size grid: Bust circumference | Sweater circumference | Sleeve circumference:
• XXS 75-80 cm (29.5-31.5 inches) | 86 cm (33.8 inches) | 36.8 cm (14.5 inches)
• XS 80-85 cm (31.5-33.5 inches) | 91 cm (35.8 inches) | 38.8 cm (15.3 inches)
• S 85-90 cm (33.5-35.5 inches) | 96 cm (37.8 inches) | 41.2 cm (16.2 inches)
• M 90-95 cm (35.5-37.5 inches) | 101 cm (39.8 inches) | 43.6 cm (17.2 inches)
• L 95-100 cm (37.5-39.25 inches) | 106 cm (41.7 inches) | 45.2 cm (17.8 inches)
• XL 100-110 cm (39.25-43.25 inches) | 111 cm (43.7 inches) | 47.2 cm (18.6 inches)
• 2XL 110-120 cm (43.25-47.25 inches) | 121 cm (47.6 inches) | 51.6 cm (20.3 inches)
• 3XL 120-130 cm (47.25-51 inches) | 131 cm (51.7 inches) | 56 cm (22 inches)
• 4XL 130-140 cm (51-55 inches) | 141 cm (55.5 inches) | 59.2 cm (23.3 inches)
• 5XL 140-150 cm (55-59 inches) | 151 cm (59.4 inches) | 63.2 cm (24.9 inches)
• 6XL 150-160 cm (59-63 inches) | 161 cm (63.4 inches) | 68 cm (26.8 inches)
Measure your bust or around the widest part of your upper body. The pattern will give you 11 cm of positive ease. For example, if the bust circumference is 85 cm, then knit size S, the width of the sweater on the bust will be 96 cm.
Skills needed to knit this sweater: Stockinette Stitch, Seed Stitch, cast on (loop cast on), pick up stitches, M1R and M1L increase, SSK and K2Tog decreases, short rows (wrap and turn technique).
