Jumis Sweater

The Jumis Sweater draws its inspiration from the ancient Latvian symbol of Jumis, which represents fertility, abundance, and a bountiful harvest, often depicted as two ears of grain growing together. This symbol is associated with the Baltic deity Jumis, believed to reside in the fields and ensure prosperity. I've borrowed this symbol, embellishing and transforming it to fit my vision for a top-down, drop-shoulder, multi-coloured colourwork sweater.

The design also reflects the spirit of the Fibre Gentili project, aiming to carry centuries of tradition forward into modern times, much like the collaboration between past and present that they have achieved  with their yarn.

This sweater uses four colours, but only two at a time to simplify the colourwork process. It features a simultaneous sleeve construction, meaning the sleeve caps are worked at the same time as the yoke. The body colourwork includes long floats, which are best managed using the Ladderback Jacquard method, detailed in the pattern, with suggested placements included in the charts.

Designed as a unisex garment and worked seamlessly from the top-down, both the body and sleeve lengths can be easily adjusted to suit individual preferences.

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

Finished chest circumference:

• 100 (111, 120, 131, 140, 151, 160, 171, 180) cm

• 40 (44¼, 48, 52¼, 56, 60¼, 64, 68¼, 72)”

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

Gauge

Stranded colourwork in the round, blocked.

Yardage

Sport/DK weight yarn. Depending on the length of the sweater, allow approximately:

Main Colour (MC):

• 940 (1015, 1105, 1180, 1250, 1340, 1425, 1515, 1610) m

• 1025 (1110, 1210, 1290, 1365, 1465, 1560, 1660, 1760) yds

Contrast Colour (CC):

• 360 (395, 425, 455, 485, 525, 555, 595, 635) m

• 395 (430, 460, 500, 530, 575, 610, 650, 695) yds

Accent Colour 1 (AC1):

• 100 (110, 115, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165, 175) m

• 110 (120, 125, 135, 145, 160, 165, 180, 190) yds

Accent Colour 2 (AC2):

• 75 (85, 90, 100, 105, 115, 120, 130, 135) m

• 85 (95, 100, 105, 115, 125, 130, 140, 150) yds

Yarn in Sample

Yarn used in the sample (size 2) is x skeins of Fibre Gentili Mediterraneo (100% Italian Wool; 175 m [191 yds] / 50 g): 6 skeins of colourway Mandorla as the Main Colour (MC), 3 skeins of colourway Vulcano as Contrast Colour (CC), 1 skein of colourway Dolce Vita as Accent Colour 1 (AC1) and 1 skein of colourway Sabbia as Accent Colour 2 (AC2).

Needles

• 3.25 mm (US 3) or  needle size that gets the gauge; circulars with sharp tips, 60-100 cm / 24-40″ long and (optional) DPNs for small circumference knitting

Notions

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

Techniques

Lifted increases, stranded colourwork, Ladderback Jacquard, Backwards loop cast-on, knitting in the round, Tubular bind-off for 1x1 rib.

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.

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.