I love the idea of colorwork on a sweater, but find myself distracted by my own clothes if there is bold patterning too close to my face. So I set out to create a sweater in a flattering cropped length with a colorwork portion along the hem instead of around the neckline. A Japanese machine knitting stitch dictionary from the sixties fell into my hands, and I modified a charming little dragon pattern found there to create the stranded colorwork design.

Worked from the bottom up, the sweater is knit mostly seamlessly. The ribbing and colorwork are knitted first, then the body is worked straight until it splits in the front and back for the armholes. The front and back are worked separately then the shoulders are seamed. Both the three quarter length sleeves and the neckline are picked up and worked in the round. The drop shoulder construction creates a relaxed garment and the merino and cashmere blend make it oh-so-cozy.

Women’s XSS, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X
shown in size M with 6 inches/15 cm of positive ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust: 33.537.5, 41.75, 46, 50, 54.25, 58.5 inches/ 8595.5, 106, 117, 127, 138, 148.5 cm

Length: 21.2521.25, 21.5, 21.75, 21.5, 22.25, 22.5 inches/ 5454, 54.5, 55, 54.5, 56.5, 57 cm