Sizes: 1 (2) 3 (4) 5 (6) 7 (8) 9 (10) ● Level: 2/5 ● Finns have a deep-rooted love for classic, even stripes. Named after Marimekko founder Armi Ratia, the Armi sweater is a tribute to creativity and experimentation. To step outside my comfort zone, I designed two completely different versions of it.
The short, pink version features stripes created by alternating single and double strands. The longer, white version boldly incorporates short sections of hand-spun art yarn, resulting in
a unique garment that offers
the perfect chance to use up yarn scraps. Even though the two knits have distinct styles, they share a loose, oversized silhouette that is a far cry from any restrictive mould of womanhood. That is exactly the kind of conformity the sweater’s namesake wanted to break free from.

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FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Bust Circumference: 90 (100) 110 (120) 130 (140) 150 (160) 170 (180) cm / 36 (40) 44 (48) 52 (56) 60 (64) 68 (72)“.
Total Length (from neckline to hem): 60 cm / 24” in all sizes (shorter sweater), 70 cm / 28” in all sizes (longer sweater).*
Upper Arm Circumference: 38 (38) 40 (41.5) 43 (45) 48 (50) 53 (55) cm / 15.25 (15.25) 16 (16.5) 17.25 (18) 19.25 (20) 21.25 (22)”.
Sleeve Length: 48 (48) 48 (48) 48 (43) 43 (38) 38 (38) cm / 19.25 (19.25) 19.25 (19.25) 19.25 (17.25) 17.25 (15.25) 15.25 (15.25)“.
Or your preferred length

CHOOSING YOUR SIZE

The sweater is designed with 10–25 cm / 4–10” of positive ease at the bust, meaning the fit is intentionally loose and the sizing is quite flexible. Measure your own bust circumference, add 10–25 cm / 4–10” and find the closest size in the size chart. You can also measure a favorite mohair sweater you already own and find the matching size. It’s also worth measuring your preferred sleeve width at the upper arm. Sleeve and hem length can easily be adjusted to taste. If you prefer a longer sweater, you will need more yarn.

Sample sweaters in size 3, model’s bust 80 cm / 31.5”, height 68” / 173 cm, Leeni’s bust 83 cm / 33.25”, height 168 cm / 67.25”.

MATERIALS

Yarn

Pink shorter sweater
Sunday Knitting Club Halo (70% kid mohair, 30% silk, 150 m / 164 yds – 50 g).

300 (320) 340 (360) 390 (410) 450 (490) 540 (600) g in the colourway Cotton Candy (008).

Or 900 (960) 1020 (1080) 1170 (1230) 1350 (1470) 1620 (1800) m / 985 (1050) 1115 (1180) 1280 (1345) 1480 (1610) 1775 (1970) yds of bulky-weight mohair yarn.

The sweater is worked alternating 2 rows with two strands of mohair and 2 rows with one strand of mohair.

White longer sweater
Yarn 1: Sandnes Garn Ballerina Chunky Mohair (77% mohair, 18% wool, 5% polyamide, 135 m / 148 yds – 50 g).

480 (510) 550 (590) 630 (670) 740 (810) 890 (980) g in the colourway natural white (0012).

Or approx. 1295 (1375) 1485 (1595) 1700 (1810) 2000 (2185) 2405 (2645) m / 1420 (1505) 1625 (1745) 1860 (1980) 2185 (2395) 2630 (2895) yds of bulky-weight mohair yarn.

The sweater is worked holding two strands of mohair yarn together.

Yarn 2: Knit Collage Dreamland novelty yarn (84% wool, 6% mohair, 6% silk, 2% glitter, 2% cotton, 32 m / 35 yds – 125 g).

50 g (all sizes) in the colourway Pixie Twist.

Or approx. 15 m / 16 yds of thick novelty or leftover yarn.
Tip! You can twist thinner leftover yarns into thicker strands, combining colours in interesting ways to use up your scraps in style.

Other yarn options for bulky-weight yarn include Novita Hehku, Sunday Knitting Club Unforgettable Alpaca, Sandnes Garn Brushed Alpaca, or lace-weight silk mohair held 3 or 4 strands together.

Needles

6.5 mm (US 10.5)
Long circular needle for the body.
DPNs for sleeves, if you don’t use the magic loop technique.

3.5 mm (US 4)
Long circular needle for the hem ribbing.
DPNs for sleeves, if you don’t use the magic loop technique.

3 mm (US 2.5)
Short circular needle for the collar ribbing.

Notions

Stitch markers, tapestry needle, waste yarn or stitch holders.

GAUGE

12 sts x 16 rows = 10 cm / 4” in Stockinette St with 6.5 mm (US 10.5) needle, without novelty yarn.

The stitch count is lower where the yarn decorations are placed, so swatch without them.

CONSTRUCTION

The sweater is worked from the top down. First, stitches are cast on for the neckline, and the back piece is worked flat with European shoulder structure. Stitches are then picked up for the front pieces, which are worked to match the back piece. The work is joined in the round at the underarms and worked to the hem, which is finished with the tubular bind-off. Sleeve stitches are picked up from the armholes and worked down to the cuffs, which are bound off the same as the hem. The collar is worked on a significantly smaller needle and either folded double or left as a high turtleneck.