Ocean Mist by Thea Colman

Ocean Mist

Knitting
May 2023
Biches et Buches Le Coton & Alpaca
Aran (8 wpi) ?
16 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches
in cable pattern, based on final blocked fabric.
US 9 - 5.5 mm
US 8 - 5.0 mm
850 - 1700 yards (777 - 1554 m)
37.5(41,44.5,48.5,52)(56.5,61,65.5,68)”/ 95.25(104.25,113,123.25,132)(143.5,155,166.5,172.75)cm
English
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Ocean Mist is all about pairing interesting yarn with undulating cables and allowing the character of both things to really shine!

These gorgeous cables lean to and fro without actually crossing over each other, forming zig zag columns and diagonal lines in a unique pattern that was really fun to work. It’s different from the usual cables I play with and I absolutely love how the motif feels here, worked in this round, soft yarn. It’s both cozy and bold, yet still a little delicate due to the color.

I chose to lean into the coziness and designed Ocean Mist to be worn with positive ease, adding generous sleeves and deep ribbings on the cuffs and hem.

The neckline is a wide crew neck, to which I’ve added a split, folded collar. This is a detail I don’t see very often, but always love, and on this sweater it lies asymmetrically in a really eye-catching way. It really brings the design together for me, giving the whole sweater a modern and casual look that I think works really well with the fabric and the cables to underline that cozy, soft vibe I was going for.


The sweater is worked in the round, from hem to armholes and then is split into front and back pieces. These pieces are worked flat to shoulders and seamed. Once they are joined, sleeve stitches are picked up around armholes and worked in the round to cuffs, and then stitches are picked up around the neckline and worked flat to end for collar.

As always, there are details in the pattern that make any modifications for fit easy to add, and I’ve included notes in the PDF on where and how to alter this design for your own needs.

The cable pattern is both charted and written.


Since the beautiful yarn I used is not listed in Ravelry, below is a link to the Biches et Buches website, where all the information and colors are listed.

Biches et Buches, Le Coton & Alpaca

This yarn is also available at many local yarn stores!

Sizes:

37.5(41,44.5,48.5,52)(56.5,61,65.5,68)”
95.25(104.25,113,123.25,132)(143.5,155,166.5,172.75)cm

Sizes reflect circumference around body at bust, based on final blocked fabric. Sample shown worn with 6”/15.25cm of positive ease. For fit shown, choose the size that allows for between 5-7”/12.75-17.75cm of positive ease, based on your bust. If between sizes, I suggest choosing the larger option.

Yardage by size:

850(950,1050,1200,1300)(1400,1500,1600,1700)yds 780(870,960,1100,1190)(1280,1370,1465,1555)m

Yardage estimates include 10-15% extra, and reflect test knit results. Yardage may vary with modifications or substitute yarns.

Yarn Thoughts

I love this sweater in a round, lofty yarn with subtle color shifts, such at the Biches et Buches Coton & Alpaca. It has a lovely drape, shows up well in the cables, and knits up on larger needles into a light and airy fabric that’s just lovely to wear.

Swatch generously and block all swatches using the same blocking method you will use on your sweater. Some testers found that this type of yarn knit up smaller than their swatches indicated, and their final sweaters were 1-2”/2.54-5cm smaller than planned. I use a steam block and my final fabric matched my swatch.

If substituting yarn, I suggest a light, round, and airy fiber that will work for gauge and allow the cable pattern to remain visible. A yarn with a soft, mixed blend of fibers would be similar to mine. See some of the substitutes my testers used.

If looking for alternatives, a subtle speckle might also be beautiful here, a yarn with a slight halo, or a lightweight strand of linen or wool paired with a mohair or suri may also look lovely in pattern.

I do not suggest yarns with pronounced colors, texture or variegation that will hide the cables, and I am partial to how this looks in a pale shade.

Note on photos: The first images here where I am standing on the sand and near the wooden pole of the palapa show the actual green shade of my yarn best. The sunset images are gorgeous, but the overall light is more orangey-pink and not as realistic.