Back in 2013, I designed a cowl using the stitch that I used for this sweater. I thought the stitch looked rather heraldic, and so I thought I’d name it after Lancelot’s mother. Turns out that was easier said than done. While some of the stories in the Authurian legends are very clear cut, apparently Lancelot’s parentage doesn’t fall into that category. I found four different names associated with Lancelot’s mother: Helsin, Clarine, Helaine, and Elaine. I used Clarine for the cowl, and chose Helaine for this little sweater. In retrospect, perhaps I lucked out as I had plenty of names to choose from.

Helaine has details that Lancelot’s mother, regardless of her name, would have loved: it starts with a folded hem, it’s worked straight up from hem to armholes without shaping, a handful of stitches are added for the cute little sleeves, it has a square neckline, and it has proper clasps to hold it together in front.

Finished sizes: 29.5, 32.5, 35.75, 39 (42.25, 45.5, 48.5, 50.25) inches / 75, 82.5, 91, 99 (107.5, 115.5, 123, 127.5) cm

To fit bust sizes: 2 inches (5 cm) smaller than finished sweater (positive ease)

Yarn: light fingering weight; 850, 975, 1125, 1250 (1425, 1575, 1750, 1850) yards held double; about half the yardage for sport weight yarn held single.

Skills: k2tog, ssk, YO, s2-k1-p2sso, provisional cast on, folded hem

Notions: 6 stitch markers, 2 stitch holders, smooth waste yarn in a contrasting color for provisional cast on, yarn needle

Stitch pattern: Charted and written

Difficulty: Intermediate-experienced

5 for 4. If you buy any 5 Fiber Dreams patterns at the same time, the least expensive one will be free.