The Pasaka Sweater is the second design in a collection inspired by traditional Latvian mittens. The name means "fairy tale" in Latvian, as the intricate motif reminds me of falling snowflakes in a story. This design draws inspiration from a mitten created by a knitter from a region in Latvia known for its highly detailed and intricate motifs. The sweater is worked at a fine gauge to produce a delicate and lightweight fabric.

The construction is a simple top-down round yoke with no complicated shaping, allowing the focus to remain on the stranded colourwork. Because the motifs are quite intricate, using high-contrast colours is recommended to ensure the design stands out clearly. 

To manage some of the longer floats and maintain even tension, the Ladderback Jacquard method is suggested. The pattern includes charts with suggested ladder placements to help with this technique. 

For a professional finish, a tutorial and link for a stretchy bind-off specifically for 2x2 ribbing are also included.

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

Finished chest circumference:

• 85.5 (94.5, 104.5, 115.5, 125.5, 134.5, 145.5, 155.5, 165.5) cm
• 34¼ (37¾, 41¾, 46¼, 50¼, 53¾, 58¼, 62¼, 66¼)”

Designed to be worn with 5-10 cm / 2-4” positive ease around the chest.

Tag on social media with #pasakasweater

Translations provided by knitlingo.com

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

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

Light fingering/heavy lace weight. Depending on the length of the sweater and shaping option, allow approximately:

Main colour (MC): 

• 995 (1080, 1185, 1290, 1400, 1480, 1595, 1700, 1795) m 
• 1090 (1180, 1295, 1410, 1530, 1620, 1745, 1860, 1965) yds

Contrast colour (CC): 

• 265 (295, 315, 345, 360, 400, 425, 470, 490) m
• 290 (320, 345, 375, 395, 440, 460, 510, 535) yds

Yarns used in sample (size 2) are 9 cones of ITO Kosho (90% wool, 10% cashmere; 175 m [191 yds] / 25 g): 7 cones of #0905 Blackberry as main colour and 2 cones of #0917 Top Angora as contrast colour.

Light fingering/heavy lace weight

Sweater

Intermediate

28 sts & 34 rows = 10 cm / 4"

Stranded colourwork in the round, blocked

Stitch markers, locking stitch markers and/or bobby pins if using Japanese short rows, row counter, stitch holder, tapestry needle, measuring tape.

Knitting in the round, short rows, stranded knitting, lifted increases, Ladderback jacquard.

The sweater is knit in the round, starting with a cast-on at the neckline base. Increases are worked, followed by short rows to raise the back of the neck. Next, the contrast color is added, and the colorwork chart is followed up to the sleeve and body separation. The body and sleeves are then worked separately in the round. The body can be shaped or left straight, and the sleeves are decreased to the wrist. Both the body and sleeve lengths can be easily adjusted. The hem and cuffs are finished with a 2x2 rib and a stretchy bind-off. Finally, stitches are picked up around the neckline base to knit the neckband.