Grafiet by Maaike van Geijn

Grafiet

Knitting
August 2024
both are used in this pattern
Bulky (7 wpi) ?
15.5 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette Stitch
US 9 - 5.5 mm
US 7 - 4.5 mm
1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7, 8)
English Finnish

Grafiet is a warm yet airy & light sweater with marled colourwork details in the saddle shoulders, the deep V-neck and the upper back. The sweater has an oversized, boxy shape. It is made in a fun and fascinating way: you start with rectangular pieces — the saddle shoulders — and build the whole sweater from there, both flat and in the round. The sleeve and body lengths are easy to adjust.

The marled colourwork gives the sweater a hand-drawn look — like quick charcoal strokes on fresh white paper. The black stitches that emerge organically, resemble winter days when the colours have disappeared under the snow and the landscape seems completely monochrome. Grafiet is a Dutch word for charcoal.

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7, 8)

Recommended ease: 6–14” / 15–35 cm of positive ease.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest Circumference: 36.5 (41.75, 46.75, 53.25) (58.25, 63.5, 70, 75.5)“ / 93 (106, 119, 135) (148, 161, 178, 192) cm.

Upper Sleeve Circumference: 19.25 (21, 22.5, 24) (25.5, 27, 28.5, 30)“ / 49 (53, 56.75, 60.75) (64.5, 68.5, 72.25, 76) cm.

Sleeve Length, Underarm to Cuff (adjustable): 17” / 43 cm.

Length from Underarm to Hem (adjustable): 12” / 30 cm.

MATERIALS
Yarn: MC: Luft by Woolfolk, (55% Ovis 21 ultimate merino and 45% pima cotton), 109 yds / 100 m – 50 g), 9 (10, 10, 11) (12, 13, 14, 15) skeins of colourway L8.

Or approx. 981 (1090, 1148, 1199) (1308, 1417, 1526, 1635) yds / 900 (1000, 1050, 1100) (1200, 1300, 1400, 1500) m of bulky-weight yarn (a light and airy yarn was used for sample).

CC: Tynd by Woolfolk (100% Ovis 21 ultimate merino, 223 yds / 204 m – 50 g), 1 skein of colourway 15, held double.

Or approx. 223 yds / 204 m of fingering-weight yarn, held double.

Please note that if you wish to lengthen the body or sleeves you will need more of the MC yarn.

Alternative yarn suggestions are for example Snefnug by CaMaRose, Poppy by Sandnes or Puno by Gepard Garn (for the MC) and Tukuwool Fingering or Merino by Knitting for Olive held double or single with Lamauld by Camarose (for the CC).

Please note that Woolfolk Luft and all suggested MC alternatives are cotton or polyamide chainette tubes filled with wool/ alpaca fleece. Yarn characteristics that give the garment a specific lightness while keeping its shape and feeling fantastic on the skin. We recommend using a yarn with similar properties.

This design uses colourwork. If substituting yarn, use a sticky yarn with some elasticity, so the fabric can be smoothed with blocking: a rustic wool or wool blend using only animal fibers works best.

Needles: US 9 / 5.5 mm circular needles in different cable lengths (for instance 20” / 50 cm and 30” / 80 cm) and US 7 / 4.5 mm circular needles for hem and/or preferred needles for small circumferences for cuffs.

Notions: Stitch markers, removable stitch marker, stitch holders or waste yarn, spare circular needles.

GAUGE
15.5 sts x 26 rows/rnds to 4” / 10 cm on US 9 / 5.5 mm needles in St St, after blocking.

19 sts to x 32 rnds to 4” / 10 cm on US 7 / 4.5 mm needles in Ribbing, after blocking.