Greta sweater (ENG)

Greta sweater is worked top down in a rib structure. The sweater has a European shoulder construction which is combined with short rows and raglan increases to provide a good fit. The construction is highlighted by the ribbed structure, whose lines run uninterrupted throughout the sweater. 

First, the back piece is worked back and forth with increases at each side. Next, stitches are pick up for the front pieces, which are shaped with short rows. Thereafter the yoke is joined and worked in the round while stitches for the sleeves are picked up along the long sides of the front pieces. Raglan increases are made on front, back and sleeves until armhole depth and circumference are reached. Then the body and sleeves are worked separately. All are finished with a short ribbing and Italian bind off. Lastly, neckline picked up and worked in rib, and subsequently folded double. 

Sizes

(1, 2, 3) (4, 5) (6, 7) 

Circumference

approx. (105, 110, 114) (119, 124) (131, 140) cm / (41.3, 43.3, 44.9) (46.9, 48.8) (51.6, 55.1)'

Length

approx. (54, 55, 55) (57, 58) (59, 61) cm / (21.3, 21.7, 21.7) (22.4, 22.8) (23.2, 24.0)'

Shoulder width (between the outer edges of the shoulders)

approx. (37,5, 40, 42) (45, 47) (50, 53) cm / (14.8, 15.7, 16.5) (17.7, 18.5) (19.7, 20.9)'

Armhole depth

approx. (20, 22,5, 24) (25, 27) (29, 30) cm / (7.9, 8.9, 9.4) (9.8, 10.6) (11.4, 11.8)' *

*The pattern provides instructions on how to adjust the depth after one’s own preference.  

Upper arm circumference

approx. (35,5, 38, 38) (40,5, 43) (45, 47,5) cm / (14.0, 15.0, 15.0) (15.9, 16.9) (17.7, 18.7)'

Inner sleeve length

approx. (40, 40, 40) (41, 41) (42, 42) cm / (15.7, 15.7, 15.7) (16.1, 16.1) (16.5, 16.5)'

All measurements apply after blocking. 

Gauge

21 sts / 24 rows in structure on needle 4 mm / US 6 after blocking. 

Suggested needles

round needles 4 mm / US 6 and 3.5 mm / US 4 (80-100 cm / 32-40’, 40 cm / 16’ or DPN if not working Magic loop). 

Depending on your choice of yarn and your own gauge the needles might need to be adjusted. Make a swatch and block it before measuring, to ensure you have the correct gauge. 

Yarn

Peer gynt (100% wool, 50 g = 91 m / 100 yrds) from Sandnes Garn 

or

Highland wool (double thread; 100% wool, 50 g = 275 m / 300 yrds)

together with

Alpaca 1 (single thread; 100% alpacka, 50 g = 400 m / 437 yrds), both from Isager.   

Yarn requirements

(550, 600, 600) (650, 700) (750, 800) g of Peer gynt (single thread; 50 g = 91 m / 100 yrds)

or

(350, 400, 400) (450, 450) (500, 550) g of Highland wool (double thread; 100% wool, 50 g = 275 m / 300 yrds)

together with

(150, 150, 150) (150, 150) (200, 200) g of Alpaca 1 (single thread; 100% alpacka, 50 g = 400 m / 437 yrds).

Choosing size

Greta sweater is designed with a positive ease of 20-25 cm / 8-10’, and slightly less for the largest sizes. Sizes (1, 2, 3) (4, 5) (6, 7) correspond to a bust circumference of approx. (80-85; 85-90; 90-95) (95-100; 100-110) (110-120; 120-130) cm / (31.5–33.5; 33.5–35.4; 35.4–37.4) (37.4–39.4; 39.4–43.3) (43.3–47.2; 47.2–51.2)', however, I encourage you choose size based upon the fit you prefer.

 It is also recommended to take the shoulder width into account when choosing size. I recommend an approx. ± 2 cm / 0.8’ difference between the sweater’s shoulder width and your own. For reference, the green Greta sweater in the pictures is worn with a difference of 0 cm / inches. 

Measure your shoulder width by measuring the distance between the outermost points of your shoulders, where the shoulder meets the arm.

 Note that the sweater needs to be blocked to achieve the correct measurements and proportions. 

Choosing yarn

The sweater can be worked in several different yarn combinations, e. g.:

-       Single thread of a light worsted/worsted yarn (gauge 18-20 sts/10 cm or 4’), e.g. Peruvian highland wool from Filcolana, Peer gynt or Atlas from Sandnes Garn.

-       Double thread of a fingering yarn (27-28 sts/10 cm or 4’) together with a lace yarn, e.g. Highland wool together with Alpaca 1 from Isager. 

-       One thread of a sport yarn (24-26 sts/10 cm or 4’) together with a silk mohair, e.g. Finull from Rauma together with a silk mohair.  

Note that the yardage might change if you substitute the yarn.