“Valentine candy“ is the DK version of my “Leichtmatrose“ sweater for beginners.

It also uses the “SiRaYo“ principle (Simple Raglan with Yoke increases), the simple, but effective method for creating a slightly rounded front neck as you go, without any short rows or casting on additional neck stitches: You will only work in the round.

For my sample, I have used the “Vintage Valentine” set of Skudderia Twister DK (100% Merino, 100m/ 50g) in colors “Ballerina” (2x), “Elsbeth”, “Barbie”, “Pink Cherry”, “Merlot” (2x), “Vintage Rose” (2x) and “Peach” in a random stripe sequence, changing color every 4 rounds.

Needed skills

• Knit stitches; purl stitches (not too many of them). Optionally k1tbl (= knit through back loop) for ribbings
• Increases in 2 directions: left-leaning (M1L = make 1 left) and right-leaning (M1R = make 1 right).
• Decreases in 2 directions: right-leaning (k2tog = knit 2 sts together) and left-leaning (ssk = slip slip knit).

No short rows, no picking up stitches from edges (except a few underarm stitches), and absolutely no sewing!

Needles, gauge & yarn
Main needle size is 4,0mm (or needle size to obtain gauge).
3,5mm (optionally 3,75mm) for ribbings at neck, hem and cuff.
Gauge: 20 sts x 30 on 10cm rows in Stockinette after blocking. (Worked at a gauge of 18/ 22 sts on 10cm, you could go down/ up 1 size.)

Approx. 900/ 1000/ 1100/ 1200/ 1300 m of a DK or light Worsted weight yarn needed (in any color distribution you like).

Overview: These are the steps to work the sweater, top-down in the round:

• Step 1: Upper body: Cast on stitches, close to round and work neck edge with ribbing. Place markers to separate back and front from sleeves. From now on, the upper body will be worked in plain Stockinette, in stripes. On back and sleeves, Raglan increases are worked every 4 rounds. To shape a rounded neck on the front (which has started with a few stitches more than the back), Raglan increases are only worked half as often, complemented by radial yoke increases every 16 rounds.

• Step 2: Lower body: Separate into body and sleeves and continue body in the round. Optionally work a few increases for a slight A-line shape. End with the same ribbing you have used on the neck.

• Step 3: Continue sleeves in Stockinette and stripes with regular decreases, ending with a ribbed cuff.