Spyra Designs Fun Funky Fiber Arts P. O. Box 2340, Bangor, ME 04402-2340 Email: spyradesigns@roadrunner.com www.spyradesigns.com
Watercolor Ribbon Sweater
The Scoop: A classic straight pullover with lantern sleeves morphs into something unexpected when knitted with ribbon yarn. This multi-season sweater is lightweight, stretchy and a pleasure to wear with it's $50\%$ cotton and $40\%$ rayon/ $10\%$ nylon mix. With big needles, the knitting goes quickly. Be sure to use needles with a blunt end, the ribbon will be easier to handle. This is a perfect first time sweater project for the beginner knitter. Recommended Fiber/Quantity: Colinette's Giotto yarn (156 yds per 100 gr skein), Small and Medium: 4 skeins, Large and XL: 5 skeins Sizing: Choose closest to your bust size: $s{=}32{-}34"$ $M=36-38^{\prime\prime}$ and L=40-42" Recommended tools: US size 10 & 11 needles or needles to obtain gauge, tapestry needle (blunt end) for finishing and several stitch holders. Gauge: 2.75 sts/inch on US size 11 needles Gauge is important in this project for a correct fit. You will want a gauge of 2.75 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch, preferably over a $\mathbf{4}\mathbf{\times}\mathbf{4}$ square. Measure your stitches per inch over 2 or more inches and adjust you needle size accordingly. If your gauge is too large try a smaller needle, and if your gauge is too small try a larger needle. Instructions: Sizes will be listed for women's Small, (Medium, Large). Note: As you knit, check for sizing against a favorite top. BACK: Cast on 48, (55, 61) sts with the size 10 needles. Work in Seed st for your hem pattern for 1.5 inches. Change to size 11 needles and work in Stockinette st (knit the right side and purl the wrong side) for 2 more inches. Waist shaping: (and this is subtle) $A\dag3.5$ ins, on RS row, decrease 1 st at the beginning (ssk) and end of the row (K2tog). Then work 3 rows and on next RS row, decrease 1 st at the beginning (ssk) and end of the row (K2tog). This is a decrease total of 4 sts, you now have 44, (51, 57) sts. Knit in Stockinette for 3 rows then on the RS row increase 1 st in the beginning (kf&b) and end (kf&b). Work 3 rows, then on the RS row increase 1 st in the beginning (kf&b) and end (kf&b) for a total of 48, (55, 61) sts. Continue to knit in Stockinette until the pieces measures $12^{\prime\prime}$ (12.5", 12.5") excluding hem. Armhole shaping: Bind off 2 (2, 3) sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows. Then decrease one st at the beginning (ssk) and end (K2tog) of each RS row 3, (5,6) times until 38 (41, 43) sts remain. Continue in Stockinette until armhole measures 8 inches (8.5 inches, 9 inches) ending with wrong side (ws) row. Shape Back neck: (RS) Working both sides, knit 12 (13, 13) sts, slip next 14 (15, 17) sts to a stitch holder. Attach a second ballof yarn, knit remaining 12 (13, 13) sts. (WS) Purl across both shoulders (no decrease). Note: (Rs) Work all neck decreases on RS row at neck edge. Work decrease as follows: Right shoulder: knit to last 2 sts, then K2tog. Left shoulder: ssk, then knit across. (WS) Purl. (RS) Work decreases as follows: Right shoulder: knit to last 2 sts, then K2tog. Left shoulder: ssk, then knit across. You now have 10 (11, 1) sts. on each side. Place remaining sts on holder for a 3 needle bind off. Cut yarn leaving a tail. FRONT: Cast on 48 (55, 61) sts with the size 10 needles. Work in Seed st for your hem pattern for 1.5 inches. Change to size 11 needles and work in Stockinette st for 2 more inches. Waist shaping: At 3.5 ins, on RS row, decrease 1 st at the beginning (ssk) and end of the row (K2tog). Then work 3 rows and on next RS row, decrease 1 st at the beginning (ssk) and end of the row (K2tog). This is a decrease total of 4 sts, you now have 44, (51, 57) sts. Knit in Stockinette for 3 rows then on the RS row increase 1 st in the beginning (kf&b) and end (kf&b). Work 3 rows, then on the RS row increase 1 st in the beginning (kf&b) and end (kf&b) for a total of 48, (55, 61) sts. $12^{\prime\prime}$ Armhole shaping: Bind off 2 (2, 3) sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows. Decrease one st at the beginning (ssk) and end (K2tog) of each RS row 3, (5, 6) times until 38 (41, 43) sts remain. Continue until armhole measures 5, (5, 6) inches. Ending with WS row. Shape Front neck: (RS) Working both sides, knit 15, (16, 17) sts. Slip the next 8,(9, 9) sts to a stitch holder. Attach a second ball of yarn, knit remaining 15, (16, 17) sts. (WS) Purl across both shoulders (no decrease). Note: (Rs) Work all neck decreases on RS row at neck edge. Work decrease as follows: Right shoulder: knit to last 2 sts, then K2tog. Left shoulder: ssk, then knit across. \*(WS) Purl. \*(RS) Work decreases as follows: Right shoulder: knit to last 2 sts, then K2tog. For Left shoulder: ssk, then knit across. Repeat $\star(\mathsf{W}S)$ and $\star({\sf R S})$ until 10, (11, 11) sts remain on each shoulder. Work the sides until the armhole measures 8, (8.5, 9) inches. Place shoulder sts on holder. Cut yarn leaving a tail for a 3 needle bind off of the shoulder seams. Sleeves: Cast on 33, (37, 39) sts with #10 needles. Work in Seed stitch for approximately 1.5 inches. Change to #11 needles and work in Stockinette stitch. Work for 10 rows, then increase 1 st. at beginning (kf&b) and end (kf&b) of the RS row for a total of 35, (39, 41) sts. Continue in Stockinette until sleeve measures 11, (11.5, 11.5) inches. Shape cap of sleeve: Bind off 2, (3, 3)sts at the beginning of the next two rows, 31,(33, 35) sts remain. Decrease 1 st at each end of RS row 3, (4, 3) times. (Decrease on RS row by ssk, then knit across to last 2 sts, then K2tog.) You now have 25,(25, 29) sts. Then decrease 1 st at each end every third row 4, (4, 6) times with 17 sts remaining. Finally, decrease 1 st at each end of RS row 3 times. Cast off the remaining 11 sts loosely. Finishing: Use 3 needle bind-off to attach the front shoulder seams to the back shoulder seams. Sew sleevetop to armhole and ease in the fitting. Sew side seams and then sleeve seams. Weave in any loose ends. Neck Edge: Change to size 10 needles and beginning with right side of your work facing. pick up and knit 1 st (to the right of the back stitch holder), then pick up and knit the 14, (15, 17) sts from the back holder. Next, pick up and knit from the left shoulder 12,(14, 14) st before picking up the front holder sts. Pick up and knit from the front st holder to add 8, (9, 9) sts. Continue picking up and knitting sts on the right shoulder - 11, (13, 13)sts, for a total of 46, (52, 54) sts. Work 4 rows of the Seed st and then loosely bind off in Seed st pattern. Definitions: Seed stitch (with even number of sts) Row 1: $\star_{\sf K I}$ , P1; repeat from \* Row 2: \*P1, K1; repeat from \* (Odd number of sts - First Row: $\star_{\sf K I}$ , P1 and repeat from \* Next Rows: Purl the knit sts and Knit the purl sts) 3 Needle Bind Off - This is used to join 2 edges that have the same number of stitches. Arrange the pieces with right sides facing each other, with the needles parallel. Insert the $3^{r d}$ needle into the first st on each needle and wrap your yarn around the $3^{r d}$ needleasif to knit. \*Knit these 2 sts together and slip off the end of the two needles (you now have 1 stitch on the $3^{r d}$ needle). Then knit the next st the same way you did the first. You now have two stitches on the $3^{r d}$ needle. On the $3^{r d}$ needle, slip the first st over the second st. Repeat from \* until all the stitches are bound off, slip the yarn through the last st., leave tail and secure later. Care instructions: Gentle wash or dry clean. Do not soak or spin or tumble dry. For best results, dry flat. Level of Difficulty: EASY
