Mishigami is the Ojibwe word for Lake Michigan, and means “Big Water”. I connect to the simplicity of this old name for this vast lake and beautiful place. As a West Michigan native, for as long as I can remember, staring at the lake stretching out to the horizon has been akin to a practice of meditation.

Materials

Yarn

The Plucky Knitter, Plucky Single, 80% merino wool, 20% silk; 430 yards/skein: Color 1: Wintry Mix, 1 skein or 78 (119, 130, 142, 163, 201, 227) yards
Color 2: Thank you Note, 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2) skein(s) or 258 (304, 334, 364, 418, 516, 584) yards
Color 3: Social Grace, 1 (1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2) skein(s) or 316 (373, 410, 447, 513, 634, 717) yards
Color 4: Heritage Hill, 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2) skein(s) or 253 (300, 329, 359, 411, 508, 575) yards
Color 5: Table Setting, 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2) skein(s) or 206 (243, 267, 291, 334, 412, 467) yards

Needles: Size 5 (3.75mm): 32” circular (cir); Size 3 (3.25 mm):32” cir; Adjust needle sizes if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions: Markers (m); waste yarn; tapestry needle

Notes: Fit & Shape: Mishigami features waist and hip shaping along side seams for a flattering silhouette, with zero ease recommended at the bust and about 3” of positive ease at waist and hip.

Construction: Mishigami is knit top-down and completely seamlessly using the contiguous top-down set in sleeve technique developed by Susie Myers, SusieM on Ravelry. This seamless technique allows the patterns to align effortlessly. The back neck stitches are cast on first and increases are made for the shoulders then neckline and sleeve caps all knit “contiguously” top-down in the round. The body
is knit in the round until the hem, which is split into fronts and backs
at the hem for a contemporary yet subtle hi-lo hem. Sleeve stitches are held on waste yarn and slipped to a needle after the body is completed, and knit top-down and in the round. The sweater is finished with garter stitch on neckline, sleeves and the split bodice hems.

The Wave Stitch Pattern is inspired from the slip stitch Beaded Stripe Pattern in Barbara Walker’s A Treasury of Knitting Patterns. It is worked with only one color per row or round. It yields a stretchy fabric.