Ailis Sweater is the fourth design in the collection inspired by traditional Latvian motifs but with an Irish twist. The original inspiration for the colours came from the Bronze Age and the look of ancient, oxidised metals like copper. Although the motif itself is adapted from a Latvian mitten, the way it has been rearranged gives it a Celtic feel that beautifully complements the Irish name of the design.

Instead of going my usual design route, this sweater features the colourwork at the bottom of the body and sleeves. 

It is worked seamlessly from the top down and features a classic European shoulder and sleeve caps worked at the same time as the yoke. 

The pattern offers options for both a pullover and a steeked cardigan, giving you the choice between two distinct styles. 

Because the motif is quite intricate, using colours with a high level of contrast is recommended to ensure the pattern remains crisp and well-defined.

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

Finished chest circumference (pullover): 

• 91 (100, 111, 120, 131, 140, 151, 160, 171) cm
• 36¼  (40, 44¼, 48, 52¼, 56, 60¼, 64, 68¼)”

For the cardigan, add 2.5 cm / 1” to the given pullover measurement.

Designed to be worn with 10-15 cm / 4-6” positive ease around the chest.

Tag on social media with #ailissweater

Translations provided by knitlingo.com

Note: The product sold here is a knitting pattern in a PDF format and not the finished cardigan.

Yarn and yarn kits are available from This Is Knit.

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

Fingering weight yarn. Depending on the length of the garment, allow approximately:

Main Colour (MC):

• 850 (930, 1035, 1115, 1215, 1305, 1425, 1520, 1625) m 
• 930 (1020, 1130, 1220, 1330, 1430, 1560, 1665, 1775) yds 

Contrast Colour (CC):

• 130 (140, 155, 170, 185, 195, 210, 225, 240) m 
• 140 (155, 170, 185, 200, 215, 230, 245, 260) yds 

This estimate is based on the cardigan option. It includes an extra 10% to cover swatching and differences in knitting style, yarn structure, or fiber content.

Yarn used in the sample (size 2, cardigan option) is 4 skeins of Townhouse Yarns Farm to Yarn 4ply (100% Irish Wool- Romney Lambswool and BFL; 350 m [383 yds] / 100 g): 3 skeins of Beyond the Pale as main colour (MC) and 1 skein of Cinnabon as the contrast colour (CC).

Fingering

Sweater

Intermediate

26 sts & 34 rows = 10 cm / 4"

Stockinette st and stranded colourwork in the round, blocked.

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

For cardigan option: crochet hook (2 mm), sticky/wooly waste yarn for securing the steek, preferably lace-weight, 8-10 18-25 mm / ¾ -1” buttons, sewing needle and thread to attach the buttons. 

Lifted increases, stranded colourwork, Ladderback Jacquard, Backwards loop cast-on, knitting in the round, Icelandic bind-off. If working the cardigan option: steeking and yarnover buttonholes.

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, the front neckline stitches are cast on (with additional steek stitches for the cardigan option), 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.  

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 in the round to the desired height. 

For the cardigan option, button bands with yarnover buttonholes are added before securing and cutting the cardigan open.