25% off May 12-May 19 with code STOPTRAFFICK

A slightly cropped, boxy-fit, dropped shoulder, 0h-so-cozy, and intarsia-beginner-friendly garment that knits up quickly due to a stitch gauge of 11 stitches per 4”/10cm, Stop Traffick is worked bottom up, beginning with a fun fringe CO. A simple wrap and turn, clearly explained step-by-step in the instructions, is worked at the side of the body (opposite the intarsia colorwork) to allow for intarsia knitting in the round with only 3 yarn balls to manage at once. After sleeve separation, the front is worked flat with minimal neckline and shoulder shaping. Stitches are cast on at upper back and the garment is worked seamlessly down the back until the point where live back stitches were left on hold for sleeve separation. Upper back and lower back stitches are then grafted together. Neck stitches are picked up and a simple cowl is worked in the round. Sleeve stitches are picked up and worked in the round to cuff. Duplicate stitches are optional for further embellishment (I used Reywa Fibers Bloom lace weight for a bit of scintillating shimmer).

I am obsessed with the easy look and fit of this handknit—casual but unique—and I hope it inspires you to try a new look, a new technique (ie. intarsia in the round, fringe cast on) or a new construction process.

Sources of inspiration for this piece include: a painting by my son, the Kingfisher Bird, and a pendant by @jovy_rockey_jewelry . And most significantly, I was inspired to create something blue to wear each January (National Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the US) and July 30 (World Day Against Trafficking in Persons). It is dedicated to the precious souls (bound in prostitution for a time) I have been privileged to know through volunteer work in Asia and those I hope to know as I continue that work and those who I will never meet but need help, the Stop Traffick sweater is my BLUE meditation on Human Trafficking Awareness.

Yarn
For this pattern, I used 1 strand DK and 2 strands lace weight held together throughout to achieve a heavy worsted/bulky sized yarn. You can use a single strand of bulky yarn or any combination of lighter weight yarns that together to make gauge and to achieve your desired look & feel.
I used 3 strands together throughout the pattern:
MC: 1 strand Reywa Fibers Embrace (100% Tibetan yak down, DK, 218 yds/100 g) Color: Sapphire
1 strand Reywa Fibers Bloom (50% Tibetan yak down/ 50% silk, lace, 410 yds/47 g) Color: Festival
1 strand Hobbii Friends Kid Silk (72% mohair, 25% silk, 3% wool, lace, 218 yds/25 g)) Color: Sapphire

CC: 1 strand Reywa Fibers Embrace (100% Tibetan yak down, DK, 218 yds/100 g). Color: Wild Honey
2 strands Hobbii Friends Kid Silk (72% mohair, 25% silk, 3% wool, lace, 218 yds/25 g)) Colors: 1 strand each of Buckthorn & Cognac

AC (optional): 1 strand Reywa Fibers Bloom (50% Tibetan yak down/50% silk, lace, 410 yds/47 g) Color: Cerulean

Yardage
MC: 650 700, 740, 800, 850 yds (of bulky weight yarn OR that yardage EACH of combined yarns to achieve bulky weight gauge

CC: 150 150, 150, 150, 150 yds (of bulky weight yarn OR 150/235 yds EACH of combined yarns to achieve bulky weight gauge )
AC (optional): 30+ yds for duplicate stitch embroidery

Sizes
1 2, 3, 4, 5
Finished Bust/Underarm Circumference laid flat after blocking:
44 48, 51, 55, 59”/ 122, 130, 140, 150 cm
Designed to fit with between 10-20” pos. ease at bust; modeled with 15” pos. ease

Gauge
-11 sts & 23 rows = 4”/10 cm knit in the round in 2x2 ribbing using US 9/5.5 mm needles, dry after wet blocking (with pins & extra tension pulling width wise , if necessary)
-11 sts & 18.5 rows = 4”/10 cm knit flat in stockinette using US 11/8 mm needles

Needles & Notions
US 9/5.5 mm circ. needles (varying lengths) or size needed to obtain ribbing gauge
US 11/8 mm circ. needles (varying lengths) or size needed to obtain stockinette gauge
DPNs (if not using magic loop): gauge size & 1-2 sizes smaller than gauge size for ribbing
opening stitch markers, tapestry needle