Inspired by the swirly designs created when wind blows over sand, the Sandswept Sweater is an allover-lace drop shoulder sweater knit in an Aran weight cotton. Knit from the bottom up in pieces, this project is meant for layering. Wear it over your favorite tank, dress or (as the weather warms) a swimsuit.
Time: 30 hours.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Bust Size 34 (39.5, 45, 50, 55.5, 61, 66)” to fit bust 30 (36, 41, 46, 51, 57, 62)”
4” positive ease recommended.
Shown in size 39.5”
Gauge: 15 sts and 27 rows = 4” [10 cm] in lace pattern after wet blocking
Yarn: Fiddlesticks Finch (100% cotton; 119 yards [109 meters]/71 grams): Color Number: 6217 Color Name: Rose 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) balls
Needles: US size 8 (5.0 mm) straight or circular needles for sweater or size required to achieve gauge, circular or dpn for neckband.
Notions: Markers, removable markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, tapestry needle.
Pattern Notes
Sweater is worked flat. Front and back are worked from the bottom up. Shoulders are seamed and then sts picked up for the sleeves which are knit down to the cuff.
There is one selvedge st at each end of every row. It is always knit and is not shown on the chart. It may be helpful to place st markers to denote these sts.
Sloped bind off: in order to avoid the step appearance from the bind off rows when shaping the shoulders and necklines use a sloped bind off method. Bind off the first row as normal. When working the next row do not knit the last st (this is the first st after the BO has been worked). Turn and slip the next st purlwise (there are now 2 sts on the right-hand needle), BO as usual. Repeat this as needed for the number of BO rows.
Where possible, maintain the lace st pattern when shaping the neckline, shoulders and sleeves. If there are insufficient sts to complete the pattern, these sts are knit.
Sandswept Lace Chart Written Instructions
Worked over count of 10+4.
Sweater is worked over 10+6 due to knit selvedge edge sts.
Row 1: K4, *yo, ssk, k1, (k2tog, yo) twice, k3; rep from * to end.
Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl.
Row 3: *K3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, k2tog, yo; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 5: K2, *(yo, ssk) 3 times, k4; rep from * to last 2 sts, yo, ssk.
Row 7: K1, *(yo, ssk) 4 times, k2; rep from * to last 3 sts, yo, ssk, k1.
Row 9: K2, *(yo, ssk) 3 times, k4; rep from * to last 2 sts, yo, ssk.
Row 11: *K3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, k2tog, yo; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 13: K4, *yo, ssk, k1, (k2tog, yo) twice, k3; rep from * to end.
Row 15: k2tog, yo, *k4, (k2tog, yo) 3 times; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 17: K1, k2tog, yo, *k2, (k2tog, yo) 4 times; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 19: K2tog, yo, *k4, (k2tog, yo) 3 times; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 20: Purl.
Pattern
Back
CO 66 (76, 86, 96, 106, 116, 126) sts.
Work from chart or written lace stitch pattern directions (remembering to add 1 knit selvedge st at each end of every row) until back measures 12.25 (12.25, 12, 12, 12, 11.75, 11.75)” or length required to underarm. Place a removable marker at each end of last row to mark armhole.*
Work until armhole measures 5.5 (6, 6.75, 7.5, 8, 8.75, 9.5)” working last row on WS.
Maintain lace stitch pattern while shaping back neck and shoulders as follows.
BO 5 (7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14) sts, work until there are 16 (18, 22, 24, 28, 30, 33) sts on the right-hand needle.
Place next 24 (26, 26, 28, 28, 30, 32) sts for back neck on stitch holder or waste yarn. Turn and continue on right shoulder.
Next row: (WS) BO 2 sts at beg of row. (14 (16, 20, 22, 26, 28, 31) sts)
Next row: (RS) BO 6 (7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14) sts at beg of row. (8 (9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17) sts)
Next row: BO 2 sts at beg of row.
BO rem 6 (7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15) sts.
Join yarn to neck edge to shape left shoulder.
Next row: (WS) BO 2 sts at beg of row.
Next row: (RS) BO 5 (7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14) sts at beg of row.
Next row: (WS) BO 2 sts at beg of row.
Next row: (RS) BO 6 (7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14) sts at beg of row.
BO rem 6 (7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15) sts.
Front
Work as for back until * after marking bottom of armhole.
Work until armhole measures 3.5 (4, 4.75, 5.5, 6, 6.75, 7.5)” working last row on WS.
Maintain lace stitch pattern while shaping front neck and shoulders as follows.
Work 25 (29, 34, 39, 44, 48, 53) sts, place next 16 (18, 18, 18, 18, 20, 20) sts for front neck on stitch holder or waste yarn. Turn and work on left front neck and shoulder shaping.
At neck edge BO 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3) sts at beg of row. On next 2 WS rows, at neck edge, BO 2 sts at beg of row.
On next WS rows, at neck edge, BO 1 st at beg of row 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3) times. 17 (21, 26, 30, 35, 39, 43) sts remaining.
Work until armhole measures the same as the back armhole to shoulder shaping, working last row on WS.
Next row: (RS) BO 5 (7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14) sts at beg of row.
Turn and work 1 row.
Next row: (RS) BO 6 (7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14) sts at beg of row.
Work 1 row.
BO remaining 6 (7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15) sts.
Join yarn to neck edge of right front.
Next row: (RS) BO 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3) sts at beg of row.
On next 2 RS rows, at neck edge, BO 2 sts at beg of row.
On next RS rows, at neck edge, BO 1 st at beg of row 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3) times. (17 (21, 26, 30, 35, 39, 43) sts remaining)
Work until armhole measures the same as the back armhole to shoulder shaping, working last row on RS.
Next row: (WS) BO 5 (7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14) sts at beg of row.
Turn and work 1 row.
Next row: (WS) BO 6 (7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14) sts at beg of row.
Work 1 row.
BO remaining 6 (7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15) sts.
Seam shoulders using back stitch.
Sleeves (make 2)
With RS facing pick up and knit 46 (46, 46, 56, 56, 66, 76) sts evenly along armhole edge between removable markers. Remove these markers and place markers to denote selvedge st at each end of the row.
Next row: (WS) K1 (selvedge st), purl to last st, K1 (selvedge st).
Then work 12 rows even in pattern.
Next row: (decrease row) K1 selvedge st, K2tog, pattern to last 3 sts, ssk, K1 selvedge st. (2 sts dec)
Maintaining pattern, dec every 20th (20th, 20th, 12th, 12th, 6th, 4th) row until 40 (40, 42, 46, 46, 48, 50) sts rem.
Work even until sleeve measures 19 (19, 19, 19, 18.75, 17.5, 17)” or length desired, working last 2 rows in garter st.
BO.
Neckband
With RS facing and starting at left shoulder, pick up and knit 12 sts down left front neck, knit front neck sts on holder, pick up and knit 12 sts up right front neck, pick up and knit 6 (6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7) sts down right back neck, knit back neck sts on holder, pick up and knit 6 (6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7) sts up left back neck. (76 (80, 80, 82, 82, 86, 90) sts)
Working in the round, work 2 rows garter st (purl first row, knit second row).
BO.
Finishing
Seam side seams and sleeve seams. Weave in ends. Wet block to size.