Calm Down Sweater by Lily Kate France

Calm Down Sweater

Knitting
March 2024
DK (11 wpi) ?
22 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches
in stocking stitch
US 6 - 4.0 mm
US 5 - 3.75 mm
1239 - 1915 yards (1133 - 1751 m)
to fit bust 28-30 (32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46) [48-50, 52-54, 56-58, 60-62] inches
English
This pattern is available for £7.50 GBP buy it now

The sister sweater to my favourite Calm Down Cardigan - the elegant everyday sweater with a high-end designer vibe. Nobody would know you made it yourself, in a good way. ;)

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The Calm Down Sweater features a different neckline shape to the cardigan, and the neck shaping is written out as a tick sheet in the pattern for easy keeping track of neck & armhole shaping. Nifty short rows within the double knitting ensure the neckband lies flat - nothing worse than a puckered / flared neckband!


YARN: DK weight yarn, approx 1133 (1181; 1285; 1353; 1424) (1503; 1614; 1686; 1751) metres / 1238 (1292; 1404; 1479; 1557) (1644; 1765; 1843; 1914) yards.

Sample shown in De Rerum Natura Ulysse in shade Baleine Blue. If using this yarn you will need 7 (7; 7; 8; 8) (9; 9; 10; 10) balls.

GAUGE: 22 sts and 32 rows to 4 inches / 10 cm in stocking stitch blocked. Suggested size 4 mm.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS:

  • 4mm and 3.75mm needles of any length (for body)
  • 3.5mm long circular needle (for buttonband) 4mm and 3.75mm needle(s) of your preferred length for working small circumferences in the round (ie. DPNs, short circulars, magic loop) for sleeves
  • Removable stitch markers
  • Tapestry needle
  • Scrap yarn

SIZING: 1 (2; 3; 4; 5) (6; 7; 8; 9) detailed below, designed to be worn with between 10-12 inches / 25-30 cm positive ease. Sample shown is a size 2 worn on a 34” bust with approx 10” positive ease.

Since this is already a generously fitting garment, if you are between sizes, size down.

To fit bust: 28-30 (32-34; 36-38; 40-42; 44-46) (48-50; 52-54; 56-58; 60-62) inches / 71-76 (81-86; 91-97; 102-107; 112-117) (122-127; 132-137; 142-147; 152-157) cm.

Finished bust: 39.5 (43.5; 47.5; 51.5; 55.5) (59.5; 63.5; 67.5; 71.5) inches / 100 (111; 120; 131; 140) (151; 161; 172; 181) cm.


CONSTRUCTION: the Calm Down sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down. You begin by working two small saddle shoulder pieces in rib, then place these stitches on hold and pick up along the edges of the pieces just made to work the upper back. Picking up is done from the wrong side of the work so the saddle shoulder appears raised on the right side. After working short row shoulder shaping then straight rows, increases are used to shape the armhole.

Stitches are then picked up along the remaining edges of the saddle shoulder pieces to work the fronts. After working shoulder & neck shaping on both sides, the left and right fronts are joined together to work the remainder of the upper front to match the back.

The main body could be joined to work in the round at this point, but I would recommend instead working the neckband whilst there is not too much fabric to contend with and whilst it can be laid flat more easily. The neckband is worked in applied double knitting.

Once the neckband is complete, the front and back are joined together to work the lower body in one piece. The body is worked straight without shaping with 1x1 rib panels down the sides and a 1x1 rib hem with tubular edging.

Stitches are picked up around the armholes to work the sleeves, and a sleeve cap is created with short rows. The rib from the saddle shoulder continues down the sleeve. Decreases taper the sleeve in to the cuff, which is worked in 1x1 rib.

YARN CHOICES: any yarn (or combination of yarns) that meets the gauge can technically be used for this pattern. However, it is worth considering that the rib panels down the sides and the sleeves curl inwards before blocking. With a natural fibre yarn (such as wool used in the sample), this curl completely disappears when blocked. With synthetic fibres, the curl will not block out as well.

The Calm Down Sweater is #SizeInclusive to a bust of 62”.


@lilykatemakes #CalmDownSweater