From ‘Knitting Out of Africa’: Handmade baskets are an important part of African craft. The narrow stripes and zigzag patterns on this sweater echo the interaction of two colours of reed woven into a basket purchased at a roadside stand near the Zimbabwean village of Bulawayo. The tapered body of the sweater is worked in the round from the hemmed lower edge to the shoulders, with extra stitches added along the way for armhole steeks, as for Mali on page 72. The sleeves are also worked in the round, from the hemmed cuffs to the armholes, and the gentle curve of the front neck is cut and sewn. Stockinette-stitch facings conceal the raw edges of the armholes and neck. Finish with a tiny rolled edge, the stand-up collar carefully maintains the stitch-for-stitch colour pattern of the front and back.

FINISHED CHEST/BUST CIRCUMFERENCE: 36 (39, 42, 45, 49½)”/ 91.5 (99, 106.5, 114.5, 125.5) cm

YARN REQUIREMENTS: Fingering-weight (CYCA Super Fine #1) yarn, appr. 150 (175, 200, 225, 250) g each of two colours.

Tvinni (A) - 1116 (1116, 1116, 1674, 1674)yds / 1020 (1020, 1020, 1530, 1530) m / 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) skeins.

Highland (B) – 1224 (1224, 1224, 1836, 1836) yds / 1120 (1120, 1120, 1680, 1680) m / 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) skeins.

SHOWN IN: Isager Tvinni #47 dark blue-gray (A) and Isager Highland #4 damask (rose heather, B). Also shown in Isager Tvinni #47 charcoal (A) and #7s medium gray heather (B).

NEEDLES REQUIRED: US 2 (3.0mm) and 4 (3.5 mm): 16” / 40cm and 32” / 80 cm circular needles and set of 4 or 5 double pointed.

CHARTS INCLUDED: 9 colourwork charts - 3 per size and instructions on working stranded two-colour knitting.