The Caldera Sweater is a relaxed-fit, top-down yoke design featuring stranded colourwork stripes across the yoke, body and sleeves. The alternating colours create a rhythmic pattern throughout the garment, while subtle lateral braid details add texture and define the transitions between sections.

The slightly raised back provides a comfortable fit, while the ribbed collar, cuffs and hem create a neat, refined finish. Part of the Caldera Collection, the sweater is designed to be timeless and versatile, whether worked in soft neutrals or bold contrasting colours.

CONSTRUCTION:
The sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down in the round, using a circular yoke construction. It begins with the neckline, and the yoke is shaped with evenly spaced increases, with German Short Rows worked to raise the back neckline. After completing the yoke, the sleeve stitches are placed on hold and the lower body is worked in the round. Stitches are then picked up around the neckline to work the folded ribbed collar, followed by the sleeves, which are worked in the round from the held stitches.

SIZING AND MEASUREMENTS:
Sizes 1 (2; 3; 4) (5; 6; 7; 8) detailed below are designed to be worn with 10-20 cm / 4-8 in. positive ease at the full bust.

The samples are shown in size 2 with 14 cm / 5.5 in. positive ease at the full bust.

To fit bust: 75-85 (85-95; 95-105; 105-115) (115-125; 125-135; 135-145; 145-155) cm /30-34 (34-38; 38-42; 42-46) (46-50; 50-54; 54-58; 58-62) in.
Finished bust circumference: 95 (105; 115; 125) (135; 145; 155; 165) cm / 38 (42; 46; 50) (54; 58; 62; 66) in.
Yoke depth: 20 (21; 21.5; 23) (23.5; 24.5; 25.5; 27) cm / 8 (8.5; 8.5; 9.25) (9.5; 9.75; 10.25; 10.75) in.
Body length from underarm to hem: 31 (32; 33.5; 34) (34.5; 36; 36.5; 37.5) cm / 12.5 (12.75; 13.5; 13.5) (13.75; 14.25; 14.5; 14.75) in.
Upper sleeve circumference: 33.5 (37.5; 41; 43.5) (48; 52; 55.5; 59) cm /13.5 (15; 16.5; 17.5) (19.25; 20.75; 22.25; 23.5) in.

GAUGE:
22 stitches and 25 rows = 10 cm x 10 cm / 4 in. x 4 in. in stockinette stitch in single-colour and in colourwork worked in the round, after blocking.

YARN:
For my samples I used the following yarns:
White sample with brown and lilac colourwork stripes: Drops Baby Merino (100% superwash extra fine merino, 50 g = 175 m / 191 yd), in shades 01-White as the main colour, 17-Beige as CC1 and 25-Lavender CC2; held together with Drops Kid-Silk (75% mohair, 25% silk, 25 g = 210 m / 230 yd), in shades 01-Off White as the main colour, 35-Chocolate as CC1 and 11-Lavender CC2.

Bordeaux sample with beige stripes: Drops Nord (45% alpaca, 30% polyamide, 25% wool, 50 g = 170 m / 186 yd), in shades 30-Bordeaux as the main colour and 29-Marzipan as the contrast colour; held together with Drops Kid-Silk (75% mohair, 25% silk, 25 g = 210 m / 230 yd), in shades 70-Bordeaux as the main colour and 56-Marzipan as the contrast colour.

You will need approximately:

• Main colour: 910 (1020; 1135; 1255) (1365; 1495; 1625; 1765) m / 995 (1115; 1240; 1370) (1495; 1635; 1775; 1930) yd;
• Contrast colour 1: 145 (160; 180; 200) (215; 235; 255; 280) m / 160 (175; 195; 220) (235; 255; 280; 305) yd;
• Contrast colour 2: 100 (110; 125; 140) (150; 235; 255; 280) m / 110 (120; 135; 155) (165; 255; 280; 305) yd; of DK weight yarn when using a single strand. For fingering- or sport-weight yarn held together with lace weight yarn, plan for the meterage and yardage listed above for each yarn.

If using one contrast colour, add the yarn amounts for Contrast colour 1 and Contrast colour 2 together to estimate your total contrast colour yarn consumption.
If using three contrast colours, add the yarn amounts for Contrast colour 1 and Contrast colour 2 together, then divide the total by 3 to estimate the yarn consumption for each contrast colour.

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS:

• 4.5 mm / US 7 circular needles of 40 and 80 cm / 16 in. and 32 in. for the main fabric in single-colour. Or needle size needed to reach gauge.
• 5 mm / US 8 circular needles of of 40 and 80 cm / 16 in. and 32 in. for the main fabric in colourwork. Or needle size needed to reach gauge.
• 4 mm / US 6 circular needles of 40 and 80 cm / 16 in. and 32 in. for the ribbing. Or needles 0.5 mm smaller than the main fabric in single-colour needles.
• 3.5 mm / US 4 circular needles of 40 and 80 cm / 16 in. and 32 in. for the lateral braid and the inner side of the collar. Or needles 0.5 mm smaller than the ribbing needles.
• 3.5 mm / US E-4 crochet hook to close the gap in the lateral braid. The exact size is not important, but it should be the same size as or smaller than the needles used for the lateral braid, to make closing the gap easier.
• 2 stitch markers
• Try-it-on tubing or waste yarn for placing stitches on hold.
• Tapestry needle
• Measuring tape

TECHNIQUES:

• Long tail cast-on
• Working in the round
• German short rows
• Simple, stranded colourwork
• Yarn over increases
• Right- and left-leaning decreases
• Lateral braid
• Italian tubular bind-off
• Picking up stitches

The pattern was tech-edited by Marie-Eve Wedge and test knitted by a wonderful group of knitters.

For pattern support, please contact me at: aggie.in.stitches@gmail.com.