Whin Sweater

Whin is Irish for gorse, a native shrub that covers so much of the Irish countryside.

Light and warm – Whin is your six layers in one, a perfect insulation from sudden snaps of cold in spring, while also light and airy.

Designed in sixteen sizes for greater flexibility, it is quick to knit, and is customisable – knit yourself a stunning outdoor tunic or a dress by adding length to the body, or shortening the sleeves.

The repeat motif is simple to follow and makes it easy to keep the tension even. Suitable for bulky yarn or yarn held double.

What to know more about this design?

Size
The sweater is designed in 16 sizes, the finished sweater measures around the chest:

86.5 (90, 94, 101.5, 105) (109, 116.5, 120, 127.5, 131.5) (135, 138.5, 146.5, 150, 157.5, 161.5) cm / 341/2 (36, 371/2, 401/2, 42) (431/2, 461/2, 48, 51, 521/2) (54, 551/2, 581/2, 60, 63, 641/2) in.

Pattern includes: schematic, sizing table, written instructions, chart, and links to videos and instructions for all special techniques.

Pattern is tech edited by Deb Bramham.

Fit
Whin can be worn with a various degrees of ease – around 10 cm / 4 in of positive ease if you want to allow for layers underneath or less if you prefer a more close fitting garment.

Yarn
Whin is suitable for Chunky, Bulky or Aran yarn held double.

The sample is knitted in Apple Oak Fibre Works Stockholm (Chunky; 100% wool; 100 m / 110 yds per 100g skein).

Yarn A: Blueberry (blue/green) 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 6) (7, 7, 7, 8, 9) (9, 9, 10, 10, 11) skeins.
Yarn B: Lemongrass (yellow) 3 (3, 4, 4, 4, 4) (5, 5, 5, 6, 6) (6, 6, 7, 7, 7) skeins.

Please note, if adding length to body or sleeves, then more yarn will be required.

Gauge
Pattern st: 16 sts and 18 rows after blocking over 10 cm / 4 in on 6.5 mm needles in the round.
Stockinette st for sleeves: 14 sts and 18 rows after blocking over 10 cm / 4 in on 6.5 mm needle in the round.

Needles
6.5 mm / US 10.5 circular needles (or size to get the gauge) for working yoke, body, neck, and sleeves, or a set of five double-pointed needles (dpns).

6 mm / US 10 circular needles (or below gauge) for body edging and neck, and for working sleeves edging and cuffs, or a set of five dpns.

The needle sizes given are to match the gauge; to ensure the same finished dimensions you may need to alter your needle size.

Other Materials
stitch markers (or scrap yarn) to mark the beginning of round and sleeve “seams”; 6 mm / US 10-J or smaller crochet hook for provisional cast-on; scrap yarn in contrasting colour for provisional cast-on and for holding sts for sleeves (smooth cotton works best); tapestry needle; blocking pins and blocking mat; wool wash and a tub to soak the sweater.

Pattern notes
The sweater is knitted seamlessly in the round from the top, starting with a provisional cast-on at the neck. The shoulders are then shaped with four rounds of increases, with colour pattern placed between the increase rounds. The pattern is worked from the chart, using no more than two colours per round. The sweater features garter stitch cuffs and I-cord edgings. The length of the sweater can be adjusted by adding or removing pattern repeats.

Special techniques used
Provisional Cast-On using Crochet Method; Backward-Loop Cast-On Method; I-cord Bind Off; Stranded Colourwork.