(TEST IS FULL) TEST CALL: Refracta Sweater

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Test is now full.

Deadline: 4th-May-25

We're starting a test for #refractasweater - fingering weight sweater in garter mosaic worked seamlessly from the top down.

Note that this is an intermediate difficulty pattern.

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

Finished chest circumference:

  • 97 (107, 117, 127, 137, 147, 157, 167, 177) cm
  • 38¾ (42¾, 46¾, 50¾, 54¾, 58¾, 62¾, 66¾, 70¾)”

Designed to be worn with 20-25 cm / 8-10” positive ease around the chest.

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

Other details of the design:

Yarn: Fingering weight, depending on the length of the sweater, allow approximately (includes a reserve for swatching):

Main colour (MC) - long sleeve option

  • 1310 (1430, 1520, 1680, 1835, 1880, 2075, 2180, 2305) m 
  • 1435 (1565, 1660, 1840, 2010, 2060, 2270, 2385, 2520) yds

Main colour (MC) - short sleeve option (as per the sample, ending with the mosaic pattern): 

  • 845 (935, 1020, 1110, 1190, 1290, 1390, 1500, 1595) m 
  • 925 (1025, 1115, 1215, 1300, 1410, 1520, 1640, 1745) yds

Contrast colour (CC): 

  • 355 (385, 430, 455, 485, 555, 580, 650, 680) m
  • 385 (425, 470, 500, 530, 605, 635, 710, 745) yds

Yarns used in sample (size 2 with sleeves to end of mosaic pattern) is Bilum Snek (100% Merino; 365 m [400 yds] / 100 g), 1 skein of gradient as contrast colour and 3  skeins of Beige as main colour.  

Gauge: 28 sts & 30 garter ridges (1 ridge is two rows) = 10 cm / 4” in Garter mosaic stitch worked flat, blocked. You can use Chart rows 50-86 for swatching. One Chart row represents one garter ridge.

Suggested needles: 2.75 mm (US 2) circulars 60-100 cm / 24-40” long and/or DPNs for small circumference knitting

Notions: Stitch markers, locking stitch markers or bobby pins, row counter, stitch holder, tapestry needle, tape measure.

Techniques used: Knitting in the round, short rows, knit and purl increases.

Notes: The sweater is worked from the top down, starting in the round with some increases and short rows to raise the back. After that, we introduce the chart and work the sweater flat until the sleeves are separated. At this point, the sleeve stitches are put on hold, and we cast on extra stitches for the underarms. The body is worked flat with fake seams running down the sides, creating a clean break in the fabric where the partial chart repeats of the front and back meet. 

For the sleeves, the held stitches are joined with stitches picked up along the underarm and worked flat with decreases.

Finally, stitches are picked up along the neckline cast-on, and we work 1x1 twisted rib in the round to the desired neckband height. To finish, the body and sleeves are seamed carefully, aligning the garter ridges for a smooth, jogless join.

Just a heads-up, there will be a slight jog at the top of the back in the short row area. To get a jogless look, you’d need to work this section flat, but that would mean losing the stripe effect with short rows that I designed for this piece.

Published Date: 2025-03-05