Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Patternum Novum: Indicum Pullover

I love sock yarn. Which is odd because I never knit socks. Ever. But over the years I seem to have accumulated several double-skeins of sock yarn. Never single, always double. Why? I have no idea. So recently, I decided to delve into this stash of sock yarn and explore sweater options. Sock yarn knit on larger-than-usual needles produces the most lovely fabric -- light and drapey and warm, without being too warm -- and I thought it would be perfect for a simple pullover. I added in a tiny bit more sock yarn from my stash -- Plucky Knitter Primo Fingering -- for the simple and pretty corrugated ribbing at the collar and hems. And the result is Indicum (Latin for indigo):


Indicum Pullover
$6 on Ravelry (no account needed)


(more info on Ravelry here)


Finished measurements

Finished bust: 28.25 (32, 36.25, 40, 44.25, 48, 52.25, 56)” / 72 (81.5, 92, 101.5, 112.5, 122, 132.5, 142) cm
Finished length from collar to hem: 22.75 (23.25, 24.5, 25, 25.5, 26.25, 26.5, 26.75)” / 58 (59, 62, 63.5, 65, 66.5, 67.5, 68) cm
Sample shown in size 32" with no ease.

Yarn & Needles
MC: Malabrigo Yarn Sock (100% Merino; 440 yds/402 m per 100g); 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4) skeins in color 807 Cote D’Azure, or 670 (760, 860, 950, 1050, 1140, 1240, 1330) yds / 615 (695, 785, 870, 960, 1040, 1135, 1215) m of a similar yarn
CC: The Plucky Knitter Primo Fingering (75% Merino, 20% Cashmere, 5% Nylon; 385 yds / 352 m per 101g); 40 (45, 50, 55, 60, 70, 75, 80) yds / 35 (40, 45, 50, 55, 65, 70, 75) m in Fly the Concord
US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needle, 24-47” / 60-120 cm long, or size needed to obtain gauge
Same size circular needle, 16” / 40 cm long
Same size needles preferred for working a small circumference in the round (e.g. circular long enough for Magic Loop, dpns)

Gauge
21 sts & 28 rows = 4”/ 10 cm in Stockinette St
24 sts & 28 rows = 4”/ 10 cm in corrugated ribbing

Indicum is knit from the top down, starting with the corrugated ribbing at the collar. Short rows shape the neck scoop, after which everything is knit in the round down to them hem, with waist shaping at the sides. The 3/4 sleeves are knit down from the underarms and end in very slight puffs, with ribbing finishing them off. It's designed to hit right at the hip, but can easily be lengthened if you'd like.

I had a lot of fun with this sweater -- once all the math was figured out, it was a very quick knit (6 days, if you were following the action on Twitter!) and I've worn it several times during our not-so-warm San Francisco summer. It would be neat to see different sock yarn combinations in this sweater -- something variegated in the ribbing would be really pretty, don't you think? (And this is a great way to use up small bits you have left over, by the way).

Also by the way, I was interviewed for the latest Knitcircus newsletter! It's available here.

7 comments:

Ruth Ann said...

I just read your interview on Knit Circus and just had to comment. I studied Latin in high school for two years and my English vocabulary absolutely took off! So many of our English words stem from Latin! I think it was a big mistake to quit teaching Latin because it's a "dead language." Not! I think I will enjoy reading your blog. Thank you! Love your designs.

peaknits said...

This is a gorgeous sweater! I love the interesting ribbed neckline. I also just read your interview, you are one smart and interesting woman, but then after following you for some time, I already knew that;)

April said...

Such a beautiful sweater. I love the color and the corrugated ribbing. Definitely going in my queue.

Julie said...

It's SO beautiful!! what a gorgeous new pattern, I love it.

Hind DP said...

Pretty! I love the colors you chose

Melissa @ Miso Crafty Knits said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous pullover! I think I may need to drop everything I'm working on and CO this pattern on! :)

Amanda said...

Lovely! I love the detail in the ribbing, such a subtle pop!