The Dahlia Sweater is a top-down raglan sweater with a floral lace motif running down the centre of the front. It is worked in the round. You will begin by working the folded collar and then the yoke, which is shaped German short rows and leaning increases at various rates to ensure a good fit across the size range. You will then leave the sleeve stitches to rest whilst you work the length of the body, whilst maintaining the lace pattern established through the the yoke. Finally, you will work the sleeves, which are shaped with a gentle taper.

This is not a beginner-friendly pattern as such, but it would be a good option for knitters wanting to deepen their lace-knitting skills. The lace repeat is worked over 6 rounds and is very easy to memorise. It is presented in a chart, but it is also written out in works in the Stitches section of the pattern.

This pattern has been tech edited and test knitted, but if you require any help please do not hesitate to get in touch by email (the.knit.purl.girl2020@gmail.com) or via the contact form on my website. Please allow up to 7 working days for a response.

Please note that this is a digital pdf download and not a physical knitting pattern.

Materials and Fit

Notions: 4 mm / US 6 circular needles with 40-, 60-, and 80-cm / 16-, 24-, and 32-in cords; 3 mm / US 2.5 circular needles with 40- and 80-cm / 16- and 32-in cords. If you’re making one of the larger sizes, you may also find it helpful to have both needles with a 100-cm / 40-in cord.

You will also need at least 10 ring stitch markers, your preferred stitch holder (i.e., scrap yarn, a set of spare needles, or a cord), a darning needle, and you may find some clip-on markers helpful to track your work.

Tension: 22 stitches x 40 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 in in Stockinette stitch on 4 mm / US 6 needles.

Sizing and ease: The Dahlia Sweater has a recommended positive ease of 7.5-12.5 cm / 3–5 in for Sizes A-H, and 2.5-12.5 cm / 1-5 in for Sizes I-L. However, if you wanted less ease, you would be welcome to choose a smaller size relative to your chest measurement and vice versa.

Size: A (B) C (D), E (F) G (H), I (J) K (L)

Chest measurement (cm): 75-80 (80-85) 85-90 (90-95), 95-100 (100-105) 105-110 (110-115), 115-125 (125-135) 135-145 (145-155)
Chest measurement (in): 29.5-31.5 (31.5-33.5) 33.5-35.5 (35.5-37.5), 37.5-39.25 (39.25-41.25) 41.25-43.25 (43.25-45.25), 45.25-49.25 (49.25-53.25) 53.25-57 (57-61)

Actual circumference of garment at chest (cm): 87.5 (92.5) 97.5 (102.5), 107.5 (112.5) 117.5 (122.5), 127.5 (137.5) 147.5 (157.5)
Actual circumference of garment at chest (in): 34.25 (36.5) 38.25 (40.5), 42.25 (44.5) 46.25 (48.25), 50 (54) 58 (62)

Yoke depth (cm): 20.5 (20.5) 20.5 (22.5), 23 (25) 26.5 (26.5), 26.5 (27.5) 29 (30.5)
Yoke depth (in): 8 (8) 8.5 (8.5), 9 (9.75) 10.25 (10.25), 10.25 (11) 11.5 (12)

Body length from cast-on edge to hem at centre back (cm): 51 (51.5) 52 (53), 55 (56.5) 57 (59), 60 (61) 62 (64)
Body length from cast-on edge to start of hem at centre back (in): 20 (20.25) 20.5 (21), 21.5 (22.25) 22.5 (23.25), 23.5 (24) 24.5 (25.25)

Sleeve circumference at bicep (cm): 31 (32.5) 33.5 (35.5), 36.5 (37.5) 38 (40), 43.5 (46.5) 51 (55.5)
Sleeve circumference at bicep (in): 12.25 (13) 13.25 (14), 14.25 (14.75) 15 (15.75), 17.25 (18.25) 20 (21.75)

Sleeve length (cm): 48
Sleeve length (in): 19.5

Yarn: For my first sample, I used Isager Tvinni (100% pure new wool; 50 g = 255 m / 279 yds) in the shade 61S held with Knitting for Olive Soft Silk Mohair (70% mohair, 30% silk; 25 g = 225 m / 246 yds) in the shade Rose Clay. For my second sample, I am using Isager Highland Wool (100% wool; 50 g = 275 m / 301 yds) in the shade Wine held with Isager Silk Mohair (75% mohair, 25% silk; 35 g = 212 m / 232 yds) in the shade 36.

If you want to use the same yarns, I estimate that you will need 4 (4) 4 (5), 5 (5) 5 (5-6), 6 (6) 6 (7) 50 g hanks of Isager Tvinni and 4 (4-5) 5 (5), 5 (6) 6 (6), 6-7 (7) 7 (7) balls of Knitting for Olive Soft Silk Mohair.

If you want to use a different yarn, I estimate that you will need approximately 830 (900) 960 (1040), 1100 (1150) 1220 (1280), 1340 (1410) 1470 (1540) m 910 (990) 1050 (1140), 1210 (1260) 1340 (1400), 1470 (1550) 1610 (1690) yds of each yarn quality chosen.

For my second sample, I am using Isager Highland Wool (100% wool; 50 g = 275 m / 301 yds) in the shade Wine held with Isager Silk Mohair (75% mohair, 25% silk; 25 g = 212 m / 232 yds) in the shade 36.

Any combination of fingering- and lace-weight yarns should work well here. You could use a DK yarn, but I’d recommend using something relatively light and lofty where possible.