Solara takes advantage of the color transitions in a self-striping yarn that creates a sunset color background for a simple geometric colorwork pattern. The entire garment is worked bottom up, in the round, utilizing steeks for the deep split hemline and sleeve openings. After cutting the steeks and seaming the shoulders, sleeves and neck stitches are picked up and knit in the round in a broken rib pattern. Finally, fringe is attached to the side slits to highlight the deep slip hemline and to add a boho detail to this garment.
Time: 40-45 Hours Project
Skill Level: Advanced
Sizes: Finished Bust Size 56 (67, 73)” to fit chest circumference 32-44” (48-56”, 58-64”) / S (M, L)
10-20” positive ease recommended.
Shown in size x”
Gauge:
21 sts and 24 rows = 4” [10 cm] in Colorwork pattern on larger needles
20 sts and 30 rows = 4” [10 cm] in Broken Rib pattern on smaller needles
Materials
Yarn: Universal Yarn Colorburst (65% merino, 35% acrylic; 660 yards/200 grams): #105 Tropical Sunset (MC, 2 (3, 3) balls);
Universal Yarn Deluxe DK (100% wool; 284 yards/100 grams): #838 Twilight (CC, 2 (3, 4) balls)
Needles: US size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles, 24” cord or longer; US size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles, 24” cord or longer.
Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, tape measure, crochet hook.
Downloads:
Abbreviations
BOR – beginning of round
Pattern Notes
To maximize the color transitions in the Colorburst yarn, alternate between 2 balls when working the body of the swoncho. Use a single ball for each sleeve, starting at a similar color sequence.
Pattern
Back Ribbing
With MC and smaller size needle, CO 137 (165, 181) sts.
Row 1 (WS): Sl1, *k2, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (RS): Sl1, k to end.
Rep [Rows 1-2] 10 more times, then work Row 1 once more.
Inc Row (RS): Sl1, k across and evenly inc 3 (3, 1) sts. (140 (168, 182) sts)
Set aside on a spare needle or waste yarn.
Front Ribbing
Work same as for the Back Ribbing. Do not break yarn.
Set up side slits steeks:
Start after the Front Ribbing piece, and work across the Back Ribbing, joining them in the round and adding Steeks as follows:
Setup Rnd: With yarn attached at end of Front Ribbing, CO 7 steek sts, k across 140 (168, 182) sts of Back Ribbing, CO 7 steek sts, place BOR marker, join to work in the round, being careful not to twist your work. (294 (350, 378) sts, including steek sts)
Knit 5 rnds, alternating between two balls of yarn if using Colorburst yarn.
Change to larger needle.
Work Rnds 1-30 of Colorwork Chart 1 and Steeks Chart using MC and CC as indicated, beg with [10 (12, 13) reps of Colorwork Chart 1, one steek chart] 2 times.
BO steeks:
Change to smaller needle.
Rnd 1: With MC, knit to first steek, BO 7 steek sts, k to second steek, BO 7 steek sts. (280 (336, 364) sts.)
Rnd 2: Knit first (140 (168, 182) front sts, join across the steek and knit the rem (140 (168, 182) back sts, join across the steek and place BOR marker.
Knit 8 rnds.
Change to larger needle.
Work Rnds 1-30 of Colorwork Chart 2 using MC and CC as indicated. (20 (24, 26) patt reps)
Change to smaller needle.
With MC, knit 9 rnds.
Set up armhole steeks:
Setup Rnd: K across first 140 (168, 182) sts, CO 7 steek sts, k across last 140 (168, 182) sts, CO 7 steek sts, place BOR marker. (294 (350, 378) sts, including steek sts)
Change to larger needle.
Work Rnds 1-30 of Colorwork Chart 3 and Steeks Chart using MC and CC as indicated, beg with [10 (12, 13) reps of Colorwork Chart 3, one steek chart] 2 times.
Change to smaller needle.
With MC, knit 7 (13, 19) rnds.
BO steeks:
Rnd 1: With MC, knit to first steek, BO 7 steek sts, knit to second steek, BO 7 steek sts. (140 (168, 182) Front and Back sts each)
Continue to work flat for Front and Back, as follows:
Upper Back
Work in Stockinette sts for 7 rows. BO all sts.
Upper Front
Setup Row (RS): K50 (60, 67) sts, BO next 40 (48, 48) sts, k to end. (50 (60, 67) sts each side rem)
Shape right front neck:
Row 1 (WS): P across to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. (1 st decreased)
Row 2 (RS): Knit.
Rep last 2 rows 2 more times. (47 (57, 64) sts rem)
BO all sts.
Shape left front neck:
With WS facing, join MC after bound off neck sts.
Row 1 (WS): P1, p2tog, p to end. (1 st decreased)
Row 2 (RS): Knit.
Rep last 2 rows 2 more times. (47 (57, 64) sts rem)
BO all sts.
Steeking
Reinforce steeks using preferred method along the 3rd and 5th stitch column. Cut the steeks open along the 4th column of stitches in between the reinforced columns using sharp scissors. Fold steek edges toward WS and whip stitch in place using tapestry needle.
Join shoulders:
Steam or wet block garment prior to seaming. With RS facing, line-up Right and Left Shoulders with the Back. Using tapestry needle, seam shoulders.
Neck
With RS facing and smaller needle, join MC at the Right Shoulder seam.
Pick up and knit across 48 (56, 56) sts of Back Neck, pick up and knit 6 sts down Left Front Neck, pick up and knit across 40 (48, 48) sts of Front Neck, pick up and knit 6 sts up the Right Front Neck, place BOR marker and join to work in the round. (100 (116, 116) sts)
Work in Broken Rib pattern as follows:
Rnd 1: *K2, p2; rep from * around.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rep last 2 rnds until Neck measures 3.5”.
BO all sts loosely.
Sleeves
With smaller needle, join MC at the underarm.
Pick up and knit 36 (40, 46) sts up to the Shoulder Seam, pick up and knit 36 (40, 46) sts down to underarm, place BOR marker, join to work in the round. (72 (80, 92) sts)
Work in Broken Rib for 7 rnds.
Dec Rnd: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. (2 sts decreased)
Rep Dec Rnd every 8 (8, 6)th rnd 11 (13, 17) more times. (48 (52, 56) sts rem)
Work even in Broken Rib until sleeve measures 13 (13.5, 14)” from underarm. BO all sts loosely.
Repeat for second sleeve.
Fringe
From CC cut 12” long strands of yarn. Using 2 strands at a time and a crochet hook, fold over the strands attaching them to the edge of the split hem. Repeat every ¼” all around the split hem edges.
Weave in all ends.