Ruth sweater (ENG)

The inspiration for the Ruth sweater comes from playful combinations of knit and purl stitches and the idea of combining a romantic stitch pattern with a boxy, oversized shape. The top-down saddle shoulder construction and structure pattern highlight each other, creating a coherent look. A neat rib line runs down the top of each sleeve from collar to cuff. 

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9)

Chest circumference: 38.5 (42.5, 46.5, 50.5, 54.25) (58.25, 62.25, 66.25, 70)" / 98 (108, 118, 128, 138) (148, 158, 168, 178) cm

Length from Neckline to Bottom of Hem: 20 (20.75, 21.25, 22, 22.75) (23.5, 24.5, 25.25, 26)" / 51 (53, 54, 56, 58) (60, 62, 64, 66) cm.

Length from Underarm to Bottom Hem: 10.25 (10.25, 10.25, 10.25, 10.25) (10.5, 10.5, 10.75, 11)" / 26 (26, 26, 26, 26) (27, 27, 27.5, 28) cm.

Sleeve Length: 19.75 (19.75, 20, 20, 20) (20.5, 20.5, 20.5, 20.5)" / 50 (50, 51, 51, 51) (52, 52, 52, 52) cm.

Armhole Depth: 7.5 (8.25, 8.75, 9.5, 10.25) (10.5, 11.5, 12.0, 12.5)" / 19 (21, 22, 24, 26) (27, 29, 30.5, 32) cm.

Upper Arm Circumference: 15.75 (17.75, 18.75, 20.75, 21.75) (22.75, 24.75, 26.5, 27.5)" / 40 (45, 47.5, 52.5, 55) (57.5, 62.5, 67.5, 70) cm.

All measurements apply after blocking.

Recommended ease: 3.25–7" / 8–18 cm of positive ease.

Gauge: 16 sts x 22 rows to 4" / 10 cm on US 8 / 5 mm needles in stockinette stitch, after blocking.

16 sts x 22 rows to 4" / 10 cm on US 8 / 5 mm needles in charted pattern, after blocking

Suggested needles: US 8 / 5 mm 32" / 80 cm or longer circular needles, US 7 / 4.5 mm 32" / 80 cm or longer circular needles. Also, US 8 / 5 mm 16" / 40 cm and US 7 / 4.5 mm 16" / 40 cm circular needles or DPNs, if needed.

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: 350 (350, 400, 450, 450) (500, 550, 600, 650) g of Heavy Merino by Knitting for Olive (100% merino wool, 137 yds / 125 m – 50 g), in the colourway Elderflower

together with

200 (200, 250, 250, 250) (300, 300, 350, 350) g of Soft Silk Mohair by Knitting for Olive (75% mohair, 25% silk, 246 yds / 225 m – 25 g), in the colourway Elderflower

Or approx. 957 (957, 1094, 1230, 1230) (1367, 1504, 1640, 1777) yds / 875 (875, 1000, 1125, 1125) (1250, 1375, 1500, 1625) m of worsted-weight yarn together with approx. 984 (984, 1230, 1230, 1230) (1476, 1476, 1722, 1722) yds / 900 (900, 1125, 1125, 1125) (1350, 1350, 1575, 1575) m of lace-weight yarn.

Both yarns are held together throughout.

Alternative yarn suggestions are for example Wool of the Andes by Knit Picks, Peruvian Highland Wool by Filcolana, Woolia by Gepard Yarn or Peer Gynt by Sandnes Garn held together with Aloft Super Kid Mohair by Knit Picks, Tilia by Filcolana or Tynn Silk Mohair by Sandnes Garn.

Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, optional elastic thread for collar.

The light sweater is worked in Heavy merino together with Soft silk mohair, both from Knitting for olive in the Elderflower colour way. 

The dark blue sweater is worked in Atlas (cw 6082) together with Primo tynn silk mohair (cw 5581), both from Sandnes Yarn. 

Construction

The sweater is worked top down, starting with the two saddle shoulders. The front and back are formed by picking up stitches along the long edges of the saddle shoulders. Additional stitches are cast on between them to shape the neckline. Short rows are worked on the center of the back piece, left and right fronts. After this, all stitches are placed on one needle and the sweater is worked in the round.

At the top of the armholes, the front and back are separated and worked flat following the charted pattern to the underarm. Once the desired depth is reached, they are rejoined, and the body is knitted in stockinette stitch to the twisted single rib hem.

Sleeves are picked up at the armholes and worked in the round to cuffs. A neat rib seam runs down the top of each sleeve to the twisted single rib cuffs.

The neckline is picked up, knitted in 1 x 1 twisted rib, folded to the inside, and sewn down for a neat double edge collar.

Credits

Originally published in Laine’s book 52 weeks of sweaters (2026). 

Photography: Riika Kantinkoski, Stylist: Ida Bergfors, Hair & Makeup: Anu Levy, Model: Liisa Clark / Paparazzi Model Management.