Mothed pullover: Knitty Deep Fall 2010

by Mags Kandis

I guess the name really does say it all, but here’s the back story...
I have had more than my fair share of loss by moth over the years. Every time it
happens my heart feels a little more heavy.
How do those winged monsters know which knit in my closet is my latest
favourite woolly to wear?!?!

What I want for this season is an easy as pie, super soft, wonderfully warm, top down raglan with the simplest of details that weighs about two feathers. The kicker? I’ll be adding some real/simulated moth activity as I knit! Hey, if you can’t beat ‘em ... join ‘em!

I’ve kept the design very simple so that my increasing collection of scarves and wraps will not be fighting for attention when I layer them on. The nice, open neckline has a very simple thick ridge pattern achieved by alternating double rounds of knit and purl. Neither the body nor sleeves have any shaping. All hems end with a round of reverse stockinette stitch before loosely binding off. The moth “activity” (aka- simple yarn over eyelets) can be found only on the sleeves-- starting with small nibbles at the top and working with increased hunger down to the bracelet length wrist.

Americo’s yarns are one of the most thrilling. Their thick and thin spun Winter Flamme offers the perfect combination of lightness and coverage when working with larger than labelled needles. This yarn blocks like a dream but I chose to let the edges of my version lightly roll for a casual and relaxed look. I know I will be stuffing this into my bag on those occasions when I am uncertain as to how chilly
I’ll be when out and about. It can be quickly pulled out, flicked open and tossed on.

Maybe next summer when those moths are up to their mischief they’ll see the “damage” on the sleeves... consider it leftovers... and move on. Fingers crossed...

model: Julie Bowser

photos: Mags Kandis

SIZE
XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X] (shown in size S)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 32[35.75, 39.5, 44.25, 48, 51.75, 56.5] inches
Length: 20[21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26] inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
Americo Winter Flamme [69% Superfine Alpaca, 31% Wool; 371yd/340m per 100g skein]; color: #J354 Dark Mustard; 2[2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4] skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 set US #8/5 mm double-point needles
2 US #8/5 mm circular needles, recommended lengths as follows:
Sizes XS, S, M: 16-inch and 24-inch
Sizes L, 1X: 16-inch and 32-inch
Sizes 2X, 3X: 24-inch and 40-inch

Notions
4 stitch markers – be sure one marker is a different color or type from the others
Waste yarn
Yarn needle

GAUGE
17 sts/ 24 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette st

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Charts
The chart for this pattern is very large and fits on a letter-sized page.
Click here and print the resulting page.

DIRECTIONS
YOKE
Using shorter circular needle, CO 96[104, 108, 120, 124, 132, 140] sts. Place marker and join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist. Use marker which is different from the others, to indicate beginning of round.

K 1 round.

P 2 rounds.

K 2 rounds.

P 2 rounds.

Set-up Round: K14[16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20], place marker, k34[36, 38, 42, 44, 46, 50], place marker, k14[16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20], place marker, k34[36, 38, 42, 44, 46, 50].
Sets of 14[16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20] sts are sleeve sts, sets of 34[36, 38, 42, 44, 46, 50] sts are front and back sts.

Raglan Increase Round: [Kfb, k to 1 st before marker, kfb, slip marker] four times. 8 sts increased.

K 1 round.

Repeat these 2 rounds 16[19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34] times more, switching to longer needle when necessary. 232[264, 292, 328, 356, 388, 420] sts: 48[56, 62, 70, 76, 84, 90] sts for each sleeve, and 68[76, 84, 94, 102, 110, 120] sts for each front/back.

LOWER BODY
Dividing Round: Place first 48[56, 62, 70, 76, 84, 90] sts (all sts to first marker) on waste yarn, remove marker, k to next marker, remove marker, place next 48[56, 62, 70, 76, 84, 90] sts on waste yarn, remove marker, k to end. Rejoin to continue working in the round. 136[152, 168, 188, 204, 220, 240] sts.

Work in stockinette st until work measures 14 inches from underarm or desired length.
P 1 round.
Loosely BO all sts knitwise.

SLEEVES
Place held sts of one sleeve on double-point needles and join yarn at underarm. Use waste yarn to mark beginning of round.

K 4 rounds.

Note: As written, sleeve will measure 16 inches. If more length is desired, k more rounds before proceeding.

Next Round: K0[4, 7, 11, 2, 6, 9], place marker, [work Round 1 of Eyelet Chart, place marker] 2[2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3] times, k0[4, 7, 11, 2, 6, 9].

This round establishes pattern for sleeve. Continue in pattern until you have completed all rounds of chart.

P 1 round.

Loosely BO all sts knitwise.

FINISHING
Weave in ends and block as desired.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Mags Kandis is a writer of books, designer of things and maker of stuff. Her latest book is Gifted: Lovely Little Things to Knit and Crochet (Interweave Press 2010).

You can keep up with her comings and goings on her blog.