Wabi Sabi by Cheryl Oberle

Wabi Sabi

Knitting
November 2008
Worsted (9 wpi) ?
20 stitches and 38 rows = 4 inches
in garter stitch using MC and largest needles; 20 sts and 38 rows = 4" / 10 cm in garter stitch using CC and middle-size needles; 22 sts and 30 rows = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette using CC and smallest needles
US 8 - 5.0 mm
US 7 - 4.5 mm
US 5 - 3.75 mm
1730 - 2243 yards (1582 - 2051 m)
45.5 (49.5, 53)" / 115.5 (125.5, 134.5) cm chest circumference
English

Based on traditional Japanese country garments made of recycled clothing, this jacket expresses the Wabi Sabi concept of understated elegance. Front and back panels are worked first and joined at the shoulders. Stitches for the side panels are picked up along the edges of the fronts and back, knit outward, and then joined at the side seams. Sleeves are worked from armhole to cuff using the unjoined side panel stitches above the side seams. After joining the two halves of the jacket at the center back, a hemmed front band is worked.

Fit: Loose (4-6” / 10-15 cm)

Measurements:

  • Chest: 45.5 (49.5, 53)“ / 115.5 (125.5, 134.5) cm
  • Length: 25.5 (27.75, 29.5)“ / 64.5 (70.5, 75) cm

Yarn:

  • 6 (7, 8) balls Main Color, shown in Diakeito RU Diarufran (100% wool; 161 yd / 147 m = 40 g), #215 Multicolor.
  • 4 (4, 5) skeins Contrast Color, shown in Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool (65% wool, 35% silk; 191 yd / 175 m = 50 g), #33 Deep Charcoal

Needles

  • Back and front panels: US 8 / 5 mm straight needles
  • Side panels and front border: US 7 / 4.5 cm, 24” / 60 cm circular needles.
  • Sleeves and front border facing: US 5 / 3.75 mm, 24” and 16” / 60 and 40 cm circular needles, and set of four double-pointed needles.

Notions:

  • Safety pin
  • Stitch markers
  • Smooth cotton scrap yarn for holders

Techniques (included in book):

  • Three-needle bind-off
  • Pick up by knitting