Finished Measurements

Chest: 3034, 36, 40, 44, 50, 52 inches around
Length:21.522, 22.5, 23, 23.5, 24 inches from shoulder

Jean Howarth (1917-2004) was a Canadian journalist known for publishing “The Waffle Manifesto” as an editorial in 1969. Her piece covered the values and beliefs of a new political party that espoused feminism, radicalism, and Canadian nationalism. They were called the “Waffle Party” due to an ironic comment by one of the members, Ed Broadbent, who said that “that if they had to choose between waffling to the left and waffling to the right, they waffle to the left.” Howarth was a co-signer of the Waffle Manifesto, but she was also known for her journalism, becoming the as the first woman to win a National Newspaper Award in Canada and a member of the Canadian News Hall of Fame.

This sweater takes its inspiration from Howarth. For one, the simple waffle stitch pattern subtly references the Waffle Party. And this warm, but not-too-bulky sweater would have served Howarth well on her reporting stints, which ranged from Regina, Saskatchewan, to Toronto, Ontario, to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Howarth is knit from the top down, in the round, with minimal seaming. You will begin with the turtleneck, then set up for raglan increases to shape the shoulders. Next, you will slip the sleeve stitches onto scrap yarn, and continue working the body in one piece. The sleeves are then picked up and knit from the top down. Finally, you will pick up stitches along the split neck and the bottom side placket for the rib trim.

Note on yarn: The sample is knit in Araucania Nature Wool, which is sold as a worsted yarn, but actually tends more toward light worsted or DK. If you choose a different yarn, be sure to check your gauge carefully. Suitable substitutes would include Rowan Pure Wool DK, Rowan Felted Tweed, or Jo Sharp Classic DK Wool.

*Errata:

Under “raglan shaping,” omit the “K9” on Row 1.