So, I wanted a black cowl neck sweater for a long, long time. First I thought about designing one, but black is not a great sample color, and deep in my heart I knew the (almost) perfect cowl neck already existed.

I had so much fun knitting this; the pattern is crystal clear, and I learned a nifty new double decrease. The only thing I didn’t like about the design is the harsh line right across the lady lumps where you start the brioche. So that’s what I modified.

Here’s what I did

• Different tubular CO
• Work as described until body measures 28.5 cm
• Short rows for horizontal bust darts, 6 pairs, turning points 15-12-9-6-3-0 sts from side m
• Work even until body measures 32 cm
• Short rows (5 pairs) to establish St stitch curve for upper body (before starting the brioche), first turn 6 sts from side m
• Work set up for brioche as described, 4 rounds of brioche, divide front and back
• Divided for neckline 5 cm from marked division row to compensate for short row curve
• Short rows at the shoulder to compensate for short row curve; turning point 6, 4, 4, 4
• Needle sizes 5 (body), 4.5 (cuffs), brioche body 4, cowl 4 / 3.5 / 4.5

The sweater is exactly as I wanted it to be, and I love the fact the brioche starts higher and has a gentle curve at the front, while being lower and straight at the back.

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