The Keys by Jennifer Beale

The Keys

Knitting
November 2025
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
25 stitches and 29 rows = 4 inches
in Stranded colorwork in the round using size C needles
US 2 - 2.75 mm
US 3 - 3.25 mm
US 5 - 3.75 mm
1252 - 2554 yards (1145 - 2335 m)
1(2,3,4)(5,6,7)(8,9,10)
English
This pattern is available for C$12.00 CAD buy it now

New Release Sale! Enjoy 25% The Keys at checkout, until Monday, November 10.

The Keys

The colours and colour names of some skeins in my stash -- London & Echo -- inspired me with this one:

The Keys is a circular yoke worked top down. After the stranded colourwork yoke is worked in the round, stitches are divided for body and sleeves, underarm stitches are cast on, and the lower body is worked in the round to the hem. Sleeves are worked in the round down to the cuffs, where more stranded colourwork is worked just before the cuff ribbing.

Down stone steps and the clink of the lock
Echo, echo, echo
Beyond the door no longer hidden
But the jingle of the keys

Sizes

1(2,3,4)(5,6,7)(8,9,10) with finished sweater bust and hem circumferences:

95(101.5,109.5,117.5)(125.5,133.5,141.5)(149.5,157.5,165.5)cm /
37.5(40,43,46.25)(49.5,52.5,55.75)(58.75,62,65.25)“

Intended to be worn with about 10 to 15cm / 4 to 6” of positive ease at bust and/or hem. A list of measurements and schematic is provided on page 2 of the pattern.

Yarn

Julie Asselin Fino (75% Merino, 15% Cashmere, 10% Silk; 366 metres / 400 yards in 115g / 4.06 oz). The approximate metreage and yardage of the main colour (MC) and contrast colour (CC) is given below. If using the same sample yarn, the number of skeins of MC and CC is also given.

MC: London, 3(3,4,4)(4,4,5)(5,6,6) skeins or
960(1045,1150,1255)(1370,1460,1605)(1760,1935,2025) metres
1050(1145,1260,1375)(1500,1600,1755)(1925,2115,2215) yards

CC: Echo, 1 skein or
185(200,215,230)(245,260,270)(285,300,310) metres
205(220,235,255)(270,285,295)(315,330,340) yards

Gauges

To find your needle size, you need to swatch. If you don’t know whether your stitch gauge changes between single-colour stockinette and stranded colourwork, then you should swatch for both.

Stockinette: 25 sts / 31 rnds to 10cm / 4” using size B needles.
Stranded Colourwork: 25 sts / 29 rnds to 10cm / 4” using size C needles.

Needles & Notions

The gauges were achieved with the following needle sizes. To work the pattern as written, you must swatch and use a needle size that will result in the correct gauge after blocking. Note that the pattern is written assuming that the knitter needs to use a larger needle for stranded colourwork. If your gauge does not change between single-colour stockinette and stranded knitting, then you don’t need to change needle sizes.

Size A: 2.75mm (US 2) circular needles of varying length for neckband, hem and cuff ribbing
Size B: 3.25mm (US 3) circular needles of varying lengths for single-colour stockinette
Size C: 3.75mm (US 5) circular needles of varying lengths for stranded colourwork

You will also need: spare interchangeable cables, spare needles or scrap yarn for holding stitches; stitch markers.


Tech edited by Sue Hislop (Ravelry: Sue-Cat)