I know summer is still a ways off where I live, but I’m already starting to think about/long for the garments I’ll want to knit and wear during the warmer seasons. If you happen to live somewhere it’s already the warmer season, maybe this one is for you.
The Doodles sweater by Yumiko Alexander strikes me as warm weather knitting because it’s semi translucent, light and airy. They used a yarn that’s a silk and cotton blend, which is perfect for luxurious summer knitting.
The pattern is worked flat in rectangles from the top down, and uses different stitches and techniques to play with different textures. It’s worked in knits, purls, eyelets and slipped stitches, sometimes with two strands of yarn held together and sometimes with a single strand for a more ethereal look.
Sleeves are optional and look to be knit separately from the body. You can choose more of a kimono-style sleeve or a sleeve that’s gathered at the cuff, and you can make the sleeves as long or as short as you like.
It’s a boxy boat neck design that’s super easy and comfortable to wear over a T-shirt or other lightweight top. The design comes in four sizes ranging from 45 to 57 inches (or 112.5 to 142.5 cm), which should tell you it’s meant to be worn with a fair bit of positive ease. The pattern doesn’t specify how much ease is recommended but you can use your own measurements and how much ease you tend to like as a guide.
The pattern also has three options for length so you can make it cropped or longer (the length options are 19.5, 22 and 23.75 inches, or 48.5, 55 and 62 centimeters).
This sweater looks like it would be a lot of fun to knit and to wear, and it will teach you some lessons about different ways to manipulate stitches to get a different look.
You can find the pattern on Ravelry.
[Photo: Yumiko Alexander]
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