Esther Sweater

Esther Sweater is worked from the top down in a texture pattern. First the back yoke is worked back and forth with increases. Then the shoulders are worked from stitches that are picked up and knitted along the top of the back yoke. The shoulders are then joined to form the front yoke. The front and back yoke are joined at the underarms to form the body, which is worked straight down in the round. The sleeves are worked in the round on a circular needle from stitches that are picked up and knitted along the armhole openings. A rib edge is worked along the neck edge. 

Begin by knitting a swatch to determine which needle size will give you the correct gauge – note that the gauge needs to be correct for both stitches and rows before the measurements given above can be achieved. 

Size guide

Esther Sweater is designed to have approx. 25 cm [9¾ inches] of positive ease in the smaller sizes, but gradually less positive ease in the larger sizes, meaning how much larger in circumference the sweater is designed to be than your body’s bust measurement. The sizes XXS (XS) S (M) L (XL) 2XL (3XL) 4XL (5XL) are designed to fit a bust circumference of 75-80 (80-85) 85-90 (90-95) 95-100 (100-110) 110-120 (120-130) 130-140 (140-150) cm [29½-31½ (31½-33½) 33½-35½ (35½-37½) 37½-39½ (39½-43¼) 43¼-47¼ (47¼-51¼) 51¼-55 (55-56) inches]. 

The measurements for the finished garment are on the front page of the pattern. Before beginning your project, measure yourself to determine which size will fit you the best. For example, if you measure 90 cm [35½ inches] around your bust (or around the widest part on your upper body) you should knit a size S. A size S sweater has a bust circumference of 114 cm [45 inches] which in the given example would give you 24 cm [9½ inches] of positive ease. 

Sizes: XXS (XS) S (M) L (XL) 2XL (3XL) 4XL (5XL)

Bust circumference: 106 (110) 114 (119) 123 (128) 132 (141) 150 (159) cm [41¾ (43¼) 45 (46¾) 48½ (50½) 52 (55½) 59 (62½) inches]

Length: 56 (57) 59 (61) 62 (63) 66 (69) 71 (73) cm [22 (22½) 23¼ (24) 24½ (24¾) 26 (27¼) 28 (28¾) inches] measured mid back excl. neck edge

Gauge: 18 sts x 30 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches] in texture pattern on a 4 mm [US6] needle after wash and blocking

Needles: Circular needles: 4 mm [US6] / 60 and 80 or 100 cm [24 and 32 or 40 inches] and 3.5 mm [US4] / 40, 60 and 80 or 100 cm [16, 24 and 32 or 40 inches]; Double-pointed needle: 3.5 mm [US4] and 4 mm [US6]

Materials: Suggestion 1: 400 (400) 450 (450) 500 (500) 550 (550) 600 (600) g Jensen Yarn by Isager Yarn (50 g = 125 m [137 yds]) held together with 125 (125) 150 (150) 150 (150) 175 (175) 175-200 (200) g Silk Mohair by Isager Yarn (25 g = 212 m [232 yds]) or Soft Silk Mohair by Knitting for Olive (25 g = 225 m [246 yds])

Suggestion 2: 550 (600) 650 (650) 700 (700) 750 (800) 800-850 (850) g Peer Gynt by Sandnes Garn (50 g = 91 m [98 yds]) held together with 125 (125) 150 (150) 150 (150) 175 (175) 175-200 (200) g Tynn Silk Mohair by Sandnes Garn (25 g = 212 m [232 yds])

Difficulty: ★ ★ ★ ★ (4 out of 5)

See the classification of difficulty here. 

This pattern is digital and will be sent as a pdf-file to your e-mail.

The blue Esther Sweater is knitted In Jensen Yarn by Isager in color 100 held together with Silk Mohair by Isager in color 100.

The white Esther Sweater is knitted In Jensen Yarn by Isager in color 0 held together with Silk Mohair by Isager in color E0.

M1R on the RS:

M1L on the RS:

M1L on the WS:

M1R on the WS:

CDD:

Backwards Loop Method:

Picking up stitches for shoulder:

Italian bind-off:

Picking up stitches for sleeves:

Picking up stitches for neck edge:

Double knitting in the neck edge:

Knit down the neck edge: