(TEST IS FULL) TEST CALL: Elza Sweater

TEST IS NOW FULL.

Deadline: 4th-Jan-25

We're starting a test for #elzasweater - sport-weight all-over colourwork raglan sweater worked seamlessly from the top down.

Note that this is an intermediate difficulty pattern.
We're looking for testers of each size (each size will have a maximum of five testers) who can complete this project by the 4th of January, 2026.

It’s mostly first-come, first-served, but make sure your Ravelry projects are current so I can easily see your previous work when you register.

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)

Finished chest circumference: 

• 94 (103, 114, 123, 134, 143, 154, 163, 174) cm
• 37½ (41¼, 45½, 49¼, 53½, 57¼, 61½, 65¼, 69½)”

Designed to be worn with 15-20 cm / 6-8” positive ease around the chest.

To choose the most appropriate size, measure the wearer's chest and add the preferred ease. Or measure the circumference of an already-owned sweater that fits well. Then find the closest finished chest circumference. 

For those with a bust size larger than a C cup, it's advisable to use the upper bust measurement plus the desired ease to ensure the sweater fits well around the shoulders, with slightly less ease around the full bust.

To apply for testing, please fill out this form: https://go.zaneteknits.com/apply-to-test

Other details of the design:
Yarn

Sport weight,  depending on the length of the sweater, allow approximately:

Main colour (MC):

• 1095 (1185, 1290, 1360, 1460, 1545, 1660, 1785, 1895) m 
• 1195 (1300, 1410, 1485, 1600, 1690, 1820, 1950, 2070) yds 

Contrast colour (CC):

• 905 (985, 1070, 1125, 1210, 1275, 1375, 1470, 1565) m 
• 990 (1075, 1170, 1230, 1325, 1395, 1500, 1610, 1710) yds 

Yarn used in the sample (size 2) is Dundaga Wool (100% Latvian Wool; 420 m [460 yds] / 100 g) as Main Colour (MC) and TBC as the Contrast colour (CC).

Gauge: 26 sts & 32 rows = 10 cm / 4” in stranded colourwork in the round, on larger needles, blocked.

Suggested needles:

• 3 mm (US 2½) or needle size required to obtain gauge. These should be circulars 60-100 cm / 24-40” long.
• 2.75 mm (US 2) or size smaller than gauge needles for the neckband. These should be circulars 40-60 cm / 16-24” long.

Notions: Stitch markers, locking markers, row counter, tape measure, stitch holders or waste yarn, tapestry needle. 

Techniques used: Lifted increases, stranded colourwork, Backwards loop cast-on, knitting in the round, i-cord bind-off.

Construction notes: The sweater is knit seamlessly from the top down. Stitches for the neckline are cast on and divided among the fronts, sleeves, and back. The piece is worked flat, increasing along four raglan lines and shaping the neckline using increases. Eventually, all sections are joined in the round with additional cast-on stitches to complete the front neckline.

The rest of the yoke is worked in the round down to the underarms with continued raglan shaping. The body and sleeves are then separated. The body is knit in the round straight down to the hem and finished with a short 1x1 rib and i-cord bind-off. The sleeves are worked in the round with decreases down to the cuffs.

Finally, stitches are picked up from the neckline cast-on edge and worked in the round in and finished the same way as the hem.