After a year and a half of being home, I started working on site again this fall, and I found myself noticing more of the environment on my commute. This sweater is inspired by wrought-iron fencing that I pass on my way to the bus stop. The sweater body mimics the fencing, with delicate flowers formed by a unique smocking-like stitch that’s surprisingly easy to execute. The flowers also ring the neckline. I was also inspired by fabrics that combine stripes and floral patterns, where the flowers are placed asymmetrically with respect to the stripes. To replicate this effect, the flowers at the neckline are centered while the stripes of the lower body are slightly off-center, creating a subtly asymmetric effect as would occur when cutting a simple top out of the floral and striped fabrics. The yarn is a sweet color, suitable for both spring and fall, that shows off the stitch patterns.

The sweater is worked flat, bottom-up, with set-in sleeves. The pieces are sewn, and stitches are picked up around the neck and worked in the round to form the neckband.

Finished Measurements:
-Bust circumference: 30 (34½, 38½, 43, 47) {51½, 55½, 60, 64}“ / 76 (87.5, 98, 109, 119.5) {130.5, 141, 152, 163} cm.
-Length: 22½ (23½, 24, 25, 25½) {26, 26, 26½, 26½}” / 57 (59.5, 61, 63.5, 65) {66, 66, 67.5, 67.5} cm

Designed to be worn with 1-3” / 2.5-7.5 cm positive ease at bust. Note that sizes 4X and 5X are available only in the Ravelry Downloadable pattern.
Full schematic is shown in images at left.

Materials:
925 (1025, 1175, 1300, 1425) {1575, 1675, 1825, 1900} yards/ 825 (950, 1075, 1200, 1325) {1450, 1550, 1675, 1750} meters Echoview Fiber Mill Ranger DK (265 yards/ 242 meters per 3.5 ounce/ 100 gram skein; 90% USA Merino Wool, 10% WNC Rambouillet Wool) in color Cedar Waxwing.

Needles and Gauges:
US #5 (3.75mm) 24”/ 60 cm circular needles, or one size smaller than needles used to obtain gauge

US #6 (4mm) needles, or size needed to obtain gauge

In Wrought-Iron pattern on larger needles, 23 sts x 32 rows =4”/10 cm.
Adjust needle size if needed to obtain gauge.

Notions:
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers
Crochet hook to pick up stitches

Techniques:
The abbreviations page, which lists all techniques used, is pictured at left.
Pattern involves working multiple shapings (e.g. shoulders and neckline) simultaneously, while also adding or removing stitches from the stitch patterns. Explicit row-by-row directions are not provided.

Ravelry Downloadable Pattern:
Pattern is an 10-page pdf, consisting of one cover page; two pages of information on sizing, materials, and written and charted stitch patterns; one page of abbreviations; 5 pages of instructions; and one schematic page. All stitch patterns are given in written and charted form.