(TEST IS FULL) TEST CALL: Emel Sweater

TEST IS NOW FULL.

Deadline: 1st-Feb-26

We're starting a test for #emelsweater - worsted-weight colourwork 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 1st of February, 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: 

• 100 (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180) cm
• 40 (44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72)”

Designed to be worn with 20-25 cm / 8-10” 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: Single strand of Worsted or Heavy DK, or a combination of yarn weights to be held together (such as sport+lace or fingering+fingering) to achieve gauge. 

NOTE: The yarns are grouped by colour into five categories (A to E). Each category should contain yarns of a similar tone. 

The tones should progress from lightest to darkest, or darkest to lightest, creating the strongest contrast between category A and category E.

Depending on the length of the sweater, allow approximately:

Category A:

• 740 (780, 850, 910, 970, 1035, 1115, 1185, 1250) m 
• 810 (855, 930, 995, 1060, 1135, 1220, 1295, 1365) yds

Category B: 

• 250 (265, 285, 305, 330, 355, 380, 405, 430) m
• 275 (290, 310, 335, 360, 390, 415, 440, 470) yds

Category C: 

• 130 (140, 150, 160, 170, 185, 195, 210, 225) m 
• 145 (150, 160, 175, 190, 200, 215, 230, 245) yds

Category D: 

• 35 (40, 45, 45, 50, 55, 60, 60, 65) m 
• 40 (45, 50, 50, 55, 60, 65, 65, 70) yds

Category E: 

• 410 (430, 465, 500, 535, 575, 615, 655, 695) m 
• 445 (470, 505, 545, 585, 630, 670, 715, 760) yds

Some of the yarns used in sample (size 2) are:

Category A:

• FDF Squish Fingering held with Debie Bliss Angel
• Cardiff Cashmere held with Pascuali Mohair Bliss

Category B:

• Onion Sock held with mYak Tibetan Cloud

Category C:

• Malabrigo Ultimate Sock held with Universal Yarn Penna

Category D: 

• Feliz Y Punto Sock Merino held with 2 strands of Ainsworth & Prin Mohair & Silk Lace

Category D: 

• Knitting for Olive Merino held with Bilum Snek

Gauge: 20 sts & 28 rows = 10 cm / 4” in Stockinette stitch and colourwork in the round, on larger needles, blocked.

Difficulty: Intermediate. 

Suggested needles:

• 4.00 mm (US 6) or needle size that gets the gauge; circulars, 60-100 cm / 24-40″ long and (optional) DPNs for small circumference knitting 
• 2.75 mm (US 2) for ribbing; circulars, 60-100 cm / 24-40″ long and (optional) DPNs for small circumference knitting.

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

Techniques used: Lifted increases, stranded knitting, Ladderback Jacquard, Backwards loop cast-on, knitting in the round, 3-needle bind-off.

Construction notes: The sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down. It starts by casting on stitches for the back neckline and shaping the shoulders using lifted increases.  

Stitches are then picked up along the back shoulders to create the front shoulders, working each side separately with increases to shape the front neckline.  

Next, stitches for sleeves are picked up along the front shoulder edges, and the yoke is worked in one piece down to the underarm. Increases are added along the sleeves, and body during this section.  

The sleeves are separated, and the body is worked in one piece down to the desired length with optional waist shaping.  

The sleeves are worked separately in the round down to the cuffs.  

The neckband is added by picking up stitches along the neckline and working 1x1 rib in the round to create a folded neckband.