To celebrate the release of this pattern, use the code ICORDFUN for 15% off. The code expires on 18th of October 2026 on 00:00 CEST.

This is a perfect pattern if you like mindless knitting but a sea of stockinette gets boring. The icords are attached as you go with a technique I called intarsia icords (because they are worked similar to intarsia). Of course I haven’t invented this technique but I did unvent it and I think it’s really cool.
Additional detail is a checkered pattern that’s worked in between the icords and under the arms.

Oh, and I think the icords are a great opportunity to use your scraps or that variegated yarn sitting in your stash since last year.

Construction:
This sweater is worked top down. We start by casting on stitches for the neckline and shaping the neckline with increases. Then we join in the round and we work the yoke, increasing along the raglan seams. While knitting on the yoke, we work 4 applied icords - two on each sleeve.
After the yoke, we divide the body and sleeves and we start working the texture pattern across the underarm stitches. The body is finished with a long 2x2 ribbing with the texture pattern continuing to the end.

Then we go back to the sleeve stitches and we knit them in the round while working the applied icords. The sleeves are tapered and finished with a 2x2 rib cuff.

Lastly, we pick up stitches for the neckband and we work a mock neck in 2x2 ribbing.

There’s an option to work the sleeves using a sleeve calculator that gives you a smooth decrease rate for your perfect sleeve length.

The yoke:
This is a compound raglan so the rate of the increases varies based on the size. The instructions are given both in written form as well as a tick sheet to track you progress easily.

Sizes:
This is a #sizeinclusive design graded for 11 sizes with 61-181 cm / 25.4-71.2 inches in recommended chest circumference. Full schematic with finished measurements can be viewed here: link to the schematic.
There are also optional horizontal bust darts adding 3/6 cm (1.1/2.3 in) in length on the front only.

This sweater is designed to be worn with 15-30 cm (6-12 in) of positive ease at the bust (which means that you should choose a size 15-30 cm /6-12 in bigger than your bust circumference). Finished measurements range from 95 cm / 37.4 in to 195 cm / 77.2 in.

Gauge:
19 sts and 27 rows per 10 cm in stockinette in the round (blocked). Suggested needle size: 4.5 mm but use whatever size necessary to reach gauge.

Needles:
Main needle: 4.5 mm circular needle (US size 7) - any length for the body and your preferred way of working small circumference in the round for sleeves
Note: Some people find that their tension is tighter when working small circumferences in the round (like sleeves), in that case I recommend using bigger needles for this portion of the pattern.
Ribbing needle: 4 mm (US size 6)

Yarn:
Main color:
You will need approx. 952, 1039, 1126, (1224, 1315, 1403), 1507, 1624, 1724, (1813, 1935) m / 1041, 1136, 1231, (1338, 1438, 1534), 1648, 1776, 1885, (1982, 2116) yd of worsted weight yarn or the alternative yarns held together. I used dk weight held together with lace weight.

Contrast color (for icords):
You will need approx. 52, 52, 52, (52, 52, 56), 56, 56, 56, (56, 56) m / 52, 52, 56, (56, 56, 56), 56, 56, 60, (60, 60) yd of worsted weight yarn or the alternative yarns held together. I used sport weight held together with lace weight. You should wind it into 4 bobbins with 13, 13, 13, (13, 13, 14), 14, 14, 14, (14, 14) m / 13, 13, 14, (14, 14, 14), 14, 14, 15, (15, 15) yd of yarn each.

If using two or three yarns held together, you’ll need the same quantity of each of those yarns. Please note that these are just approximations. Total yarn usage will depend on the yarn you use (fiber content, ply, etc.), your personal gauge and any modifications you may make.

My yarn
Blue (main color): Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk Sol (100% lamb’s wool, 100g/290m) in lys blå 408 + De rerum natura Berenice (55% mohair, 25% silk, 20% merino wool, 25g/210m) in Brume
Pink: De rerum natura Ulysse (100% merino wool, 50g/185m) in bois de rose + Isager Silk Mohair (75% mohair, 25% silk, 25g/212m) in 19

If you’d like to see testers’ versions of this sweater, check out my instagram at @knitsbybogusia.