Dirty Caramel Sweater (ENG)
The Dirty Caramel Sweater was inspired by the desire to combine traditional colorwork knitting with a contemporary silhouette. The colorwork pattern extends from the yoke down onto the body and sleeves, which breaks the more traditional design where the pattern usually is only on the yoke. Make the sweater yours by choosing your own favorite colors. I took inspiration from a candy store color palette. The sweater is knitted top down holding one strand of superwash merino together with one strand of silk mohair. The sweater has a generous neckline opening that is flattering to most body types, and the generous balloon shaped sleeves are finished off with a folded cuff.
Tip! When you’re choosing colors and want to make sure the pattern will stand out, take a photo of the yarns held close together and apply a black and white filter over the photo. If there’s a clear contrast between the shades of gray in your photo, you’ll know there’s enough contrast between the colors.
Difficulty: Intermediate ★★★☆
Pattern available in: English
Sizes:
XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL)
Finished garment measurements:
Finished bust circumference: 80 (88) 96 (100) 108 (116) cm / 32 (35.25) 38.5 (40) 43.25 (46.5)”.
Length from underarm to hem: 29.5 cm / 11.75” all sizes.
Sleeve length from underarm (with cuff folded): 37.5 cm / 20.5” all sizes.
Upper sleeve circumference: 42 (46) 46 (50) 50 (50) cm / 16.75 (18.5) 18.5 (20) 20 (20)”.
Cuff circumference: 18 (21) 21 (24) 24 (24) cm / 7.25 (8.5) 8.5 (9.5) 9.5 (9.5)”.
Choose the size that is 0-10 cm / 0-4” bigger than your bust circumference.
Sample is in size S. Kika has a bust of approx. 89 cm / 35” and is 171 cm/ 5'6" tall.
Gauge:
20 sts x 21 rnds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4” on 5 mm (US8) needles of colorwork in St st, after blocking.
Needles:
3 mm (US2.5) circular needles 40-60 cm / 16-24” for neck opening and 80-100 cm / 32-40” for body hem rib, and DPNs for sleeve rib (or use magic loop technique instead).
5 mm (US8) circular needles 80-100 cm / 32-40” for body and 40-60 cm / 16-24” for the sleeves or just a 80-100 cm / 32-40” needle if you’re using magic loop technique.
Notions:
Stitch markers, stitch holders, tapestry needle.
Yarn suggestions:
The Dirty Caramel Sweater is worked holding a superwash merino with a lace weight yarn with one main color (MC) and three contrasting colors (CC).
You’ll need approx:
MC
175 (200) 230 (260) 290 (320) g of Madeline Tosh Merino Light (100% superwash merino wool - 384 m / 420 yds / 115 g) in color Lark held together with 65 (75) 90 (100) 115 (130) g of Along Avec Anna Silk Mohair (72% fine kid mohair, 28% mulberry silk - 210 m / 230 yds / 25 g) in color Châtaigne.
CC1
85 (100) 115 (125) 135 (145) g of Madeline Tosh Merino Light in color Paper held together with 35 (40) 50 (55) 60 (70) g of Along Avec Anna Silk Mohair in color Colombe.
CC2
40 (50) 60 (60) 70 (75) g of Life in the Long Grass Singles (100% superwash merino wool - 366 m / 400 yds / 100 g) in color Cauldron together with 25 (35) 40 (40) 45 (50) g Drops Brushed Alpaca Silk in (77% alpaca, 23% silk- 140 m / 153 yds / 25 g) color Black 16.
CC3
50 (50) 60 (60) 70 (70) g of Madeline Tosh Merino Light in color Scout together with 30 (30) 40 (40) 45 (45) g Sandnes Silk Mohair (60% mohair, 25% silk, 15% wool - 280 m / 306 yds / 50 g) in color 4012.
See the story of designing the Dirty Caramel sweater👆
