This oversized cropped colorwork sweater combines the artistry of colorwork slip stitches with the versatility of a modular construction. The switch between front and back will also provide two colorful looks from a single garment as this top can be worn either way.
Time: 20-30 hour pattern.
Skill Level: Intermediate.
Sizes written as XS (S, M, L, XL): Finished Bust Size 36 (40, 44, 48, 52)” to fit bust 32 (36, 40, 44, 48)”
4” positive ease recommended.
Shown in size 40”.
Gauge: 24 sts and 36 rows = 4” [10 cm] in broken st with larger size needles after wet blocking.
Materials
Yarn: DMC Ecovita (100% recycled cotton; 273 yards [250 meters] / 3.6 ounces [100 grams]: 103 (MC, 1 (2, 2, 2, 2) balls), 117 (CC1, 1 ball all sizes), 105 (CC2, 1 ball all sizes).
Needles: US size 4/3.5 mm and US size 6/4.5 mm circular needles:
Notions: Tapestry needle, removable markers, waste yarn/stitch holders.
Special Stitches
Mosaic Pattern (Flat)
Row 1 (RS): With CC2, k1, * k1, sl1 wyif; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 2 (WS): With CC1, purl.
Row 3: With MC, k1, * sl1 wyif, k1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 4: With CC2, purl.
Row 5: With CC1, k1, * k1, sl1 wyif; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 6: With MC, purl.
Row 7: With CC2, k1, * sl1 wyif, k1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 8: With CC1, purl.
Row 9: With MC, k1, * k1, sl1 wyif; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 10: With CC2, purl.
Row 11: With CC1, k1, * sl1 wyif, k1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 12: With MC, purl.
Rep rows 1-12 for pattern.
Mosaic Pattern (in the round)
Rnd 1 (RS): With CC2, * k1, sl1 wyif; rep from * to end.
Rnd 2: With CC1, knit.
Rnd 3: With MC, * sl1 wyif, k1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 4: With CC2, knit.
Rnd 5: With CC1, * k1, sl1 wyif; rep from * to end.
Rnd 6: With MC, knit.
Rnd 7: With CC2, * sl1 wyif, k1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 8: With CC1, knit.
Rnd 9: With MC, * k1, sl1 wyif; rep from * to end.
Rnd 10: With CC2, knit.
Rnd 11: With CC1, * sl1 wyif, k1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 12: With MC, knit.
Rep rnds 1-12 for pattern.
Pattern Notes
This design is seamless, worked top-down, beginning with the shoulder bands that are worked flat in 3-color mosaic pattern. Next, stitches are picked-up along the edges of shoulder bands, CO sts added to form the neckband, and knitted front and back in broken st until armscye. Front and back are then joined in the round and knitted until hem in 3-color mosaic pattern. Lastly, hem and armscyes are finished in the round in broken st.
Color change in stripe sections is made in the WS.
Front and back have an identical construction, just changing the main stripe color. Thus, they can fit any way.
Pattern is written for size XS with larger sizes in parentheses. If one number is written, it applies to all sizes.
Pattern
Shoulder Bands (make 2)
With US size 4/3.5 needles and MC, long-tail CO 45 (49, 51, 55, 59) sts.
Part 1 (Ribbing)
Row 1 (RS): K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Rep Rows [1-2] 5 more times.
Part 2 (Mosaic pattern-flat)
With US size 6/4.5 needles
Rows 1-60 (72, 72, 72, 84): Work mosaic pattern (flat) 5 (6, 6, 6, 7) times.
Cut off yarn and Place sts onto waste yarn/stitch holder.
Body
Back
Part 1 (Ribbing)
With US size 4/3.5 mm needles and MC.
Row 1 (RS): With RS facing, pick-up and knit 36 (42, 42, 42, 48) along the edge of the Left Side Shoulder Band, CO 37 (41, 49, 59, 61) sts, pick-up and knit 36 (42, 42, 42, 48) along the edge of the Right-Side Shoulder Band. 109 (125, 133, 143, 157) sts
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Row 3: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 4: Purl.
Rep Rows [3-4] 5 more times.
Part 2 (Upper Body)
With US size 6/4.5 mm needles
Row 1 (RS): With MC, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (WS): With CC1, purl.
Row 3: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 4: Purl.
Rep Rows [3-4] 10 (10, 11, 12, 12) times.
Cut off yarn and Place sts onto waste yarn/stitch holder.
Front
Part 1 (Ribbing)
With US size 4/3.5 mm needles and MC.
Row 1 (RS): With RS facing, pick-up and knit 36 (42, 42, 42, 48) along the edge of the Right-Side Shoulder Band, CO 37 (41, 49, 59, 61) sts, pick-up and knit 36 (42, 42, 42, 48) along the edge of the Left Side Shoulder Band. 109 (125, 133, 143, 157) sts
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Row 3: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 4: Purl.
Rep Rows [3-4] 5 more times
Part 2 (Upper Body)
With US size 6/4.5 mm needles
Row 1 (RS): With MC, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (WS): With CC2, purl.
Row 3: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 4: Purl.
Rep Rows [3-4] 10 (10, 11, 12, 12) times
Lower Body (Mosaic Pattern-in the round)
Join front and back pieces, place beg of rnd marker and work in the round
Rnd 1-: Work mosaic pattern (in the round) 10 (10, 11, 12, 12) times. 218 (250, 266, 286, 314) sts
Hem
With US size 4/3.5 mm needles and MC
Rnd 1 (RS): Knit.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 4: Knit.
Rep Rows [3-4] 5 more times
BO knitwise.
Sleeves
With US size 4/3.5 needles and MC.
Rnd 1 (RS): With RS facing, place back shoulder band sts left on hold (45 (49, 51, 55, 59) sts) pick-up and knit 54 (54, 58, 60, 60) sts along the armhole, place beg of rnd m. 99 (103, 109, 115, 119) sts.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 4: Knit.
Rep Rows [3-4] 5 more times.
BO knitwise.
Finishing
Weave in ends. Wash and block.