La Flor. Textured Sweater Pattern.

KnittingPattern

Feb 28

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I am happy to say that La Flor textured sweater pattern has been published today.

La Flor started its journey in October. I had a blurred image of the future design in my head - a classic simple sweater, easy, but engaging to knit; something casual that you can throw on with jeans and relax. I saw it covered in textured stitch that would create an interesting fabric. But at the same time I didn't want the sweater to look "heavy" and overloaded. After weeks and weeks of swatching, I came up with the variation of one textured stitch that I found in an old stitch dictionary. I changed it a little bit, "spreading" the texture elements further apart to create a fabric that looks like it has been "sprinkled" with tiny flowers. What I love about this stitch variation is that it is so easy and addicting to knit. You basically work in stockinette stitch most of the time until the textured row. I found myself "chasing" these little flowers - you just want to keep knitting to see them spring up on the fabric!The ribbing pattern. I really love playing with decorative ribbing, it's always so refreshing to update the classics. The rib pattern creates nice and firm fabric that really stands out against stockinette. I love how these two stitches came together.Maybe I am the only one who sees it, but in my head the ribbing with its ridges and tiny bumps looks like the plowed land and the main fabric is the field covered in flowers... Is it way too romantic? :) Maybe I am just craving for spring already! But this image definitely explains the name of the pattern - La Flor ("flower" in Spanish).La Flor is a modified drop shoulder pullover. The sweater is worked bottom up in the round to armholes. The pattern instructions give you the option to modify the length of the sweater if you feel like it. Then it is divided to work back and fronts separately. There are no seams and shoulders are joined with three-needle bind-off. Sleeves are picked up from armholes and worked in a round to a cuff. The sleeve length is also adjustable and the pattern indicates that. The cap shaping technique is very straightforward as long as you have your markers. It creates a very comfortable fit.I love "structure" in sweaters and sometimes seamless construction can result in the lack of it in the sweater. That's why I decided to add an imitation of side seams in the form of 2 stitch garter panel on each side. It really made a difference and created a much more structured look.As I mentioned in the preview, this sweater is very versatile. I see it in so many variations! I would knit all of them if I had enough time! So let me give you some ideas how you can play around with the pattern.First of all the fit. The beige sample is knit with 1" of positive ease and it creates a very fitting and structured look. I really love how this stitch pattern lies flat on the body without creating the "bulk", but at the same time the fabric looks alive, especially when the light plays with texture. But I also see this sweater with a more relaxed, slightly oversize look with drop shoulders. The green sample is knit with 5" of positive ease. It turns into cozy and casual sweater, but still not sloppy thanks to the garter stitch side panels that hold it together.Other thing you can play with is fiber. The beige sample is knit in 100% wool and the green sample - 100% cotton. Cotton emphasizes the texture and makes the "flowers" really stand out. If you choose knitting with cotton, I would recommend using needle one size smaller (than for the wool version) for the ribbing.I can also see this sweater in soft alpaca or even angora, so the texture will be slightly "blurred", imagine how cozy it would look like in cream alpaca with 6" of ease! Oh my, I would never take it off!One more thing you can play with in this pattern is color. I deliberately made the samples in neutral and bright shades, so you can have an idea what look you prefer. But don't be afraid to experiment and take it further. Maybe you can add some slight gradient effect? Or what if you turn this project into fair isle experiment and knit the flowers in contrasting color? For example, knit the main body in grey and make white "flowers". I would LOVE to see this option.I would love to thank you for all your support and enthusiasm about this pattern! As promised, I am giving away 3 free copies of the pattern. Random number generator chose Ruby (Ravelry ID Roobee), Sarah (Ravelry ID sarahdempsen) and Jeanette (Ravelry ID Jeanettebr). Congratulations!!! You will receive the copy of "La Flor" today.I also wanted to say a huge "Thank you" to my dear test knitters and my technical editor. Without their help, expertise and support this pattern wouldn't happen. Thank you SO much!!!

General Pattern Information

BODY SIZES:S (32-34”/81.5-86.5 cm)M (36-38”/91.5-96.5 cm)L (40-42”/ 101.5-106.5 cm)XL (44-47”/112-119 cm)XXL (48-51”/122-129.5 cm)3XL (52-55”/132-139 cm)How to choose a size. For a close fitting look (as shown in beige sample), choose the size with 0.5"-1" of positive ease. For a more relaxed slightly oversize look with drop shoulders (as shown in green sample), choose the size with 4"-6" of ease. If you want to knit a relaxed slightly oversize look, but still want the ribbing fit tight, go down with the needle size for the ribbing.SKILL LEVEL: Advanced Beginner/Intermediate.FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:Chest/Bust at Underarm: 35 (39 ½, 43 ¾, 48, 52 ½, 56 ¾) " [89 (100, 111, 122, 133, 144) cm].Finished Length: 23 ½ (23 ¾, 24 ¼, 24 ½, 25, 25 ¼)" [59.7 (60.3, 61.5, 62, 63.5, 64) cm].GAUGE:15 sts x 22 rnds = 4" [10 cm] in Textured Flowers stitch on larger needles after blocking.1 rep (8 sts) = approximately 2” [5.4 cm].MATERIALS:YARN:7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 11) skeins of Knit Picks “Wool of the Andes”; worsted weight yarn (110yds or 100.5 m/50g; 10 ply, 100% Peruvian Highland Wool) colourway Mink Heather or any other yarn which gives you the proper gauge.I recommend any worsted/aran weight yarn, 10-12 ply.Please keep in mind that yardage is an estimate.NEEDLES:

US size 7 [4.5 mm] 31" [80 cm] circular needle.
US size 9 [5.5 mm] 31" [80 cm] circular needle or size to obtain correct gauge.
Optional - US size 9 [5.5 mm] double-pointed needles (set of 4) for the sleeves. You can use US size 9 [5.5 mm] 31" [80 cm] circular needle to work the sleeves using the magic loop method.

OTHER:

4 stitch markers
Stitch holders or scrap yarn
Tapestry needle

Schematics, abbreviations, detailed measurements of the garment are provided in the pattern. The Textured Flower pattern is charted and written out. Though it is very easy to knit, I still provided step-by-step photo tutorial for it.

La Flor Textured Sweater Pattern is available for $6.50