Description

Overview of the sweater:

Braid of Ophelia is a plush yet lightweight modern cable knit, worked seamlessly from the top down. The defining feature of the design is the neckline, where the cables begin and continue all the way to the hem and sleeve cuffs. The collar is intentionally loose and tall, with an edge that gently curves slightly outward. If you wish, you can fold the collar double to the inside—if so, simply knit a few extra centimeters in length.

The neckline is worked first, after which the piece is divided into the front and back sections, and the cables are worked over both shoulders in a saddle-shoulder style. The pattern includes images to help visualize the construction. Once the shoulder cables are complete, stitches are picked up along the sides of the cables and the stitches held at the neckline are incorporated into the work. The front and back pieces are then worked flat, one at a time, to the desired length before joining the work at the underarms to continue in the round. The body is knit in the round and finished with ribbing. For the sleeves, stitches are picked up along with the stitches of the held shoulder seam cable, which continues beautifully all the way down to the cuff. Aside from this single cable, the sleeves are worked in seed stitch and finished with ribbing.

Difficulty level: Intermediate

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9) 10 – see measurements below

Recommended ease: approx. 15–25 cm / 6–10” of positive ease. Sample knit has 24 cm / 9.5” of positive ease.

Measurements for the finished sweater: 

• Bust circumference approx. 98 (107, 116, 127, 138) (147, 158, 167, 176) 184 cm / 38.75 (42.25, 45.75, 50, 54.5) (58, 62.25, 65.75, 69.5) 72.5”

• Length from armpit to hem approx. 33 (33, 34, 34, 35) (36, 36, 37, 37) 38 cm / 13 (13, 13.5, 13.5, 14) (14.25, 14.25, 14.75, 14.75) 15” – this can be altered

• Armhole circumference approx. 36 (37, 38, 41, 44) (46, 51, 54, 56) 59 cm / 14.25 (14.75, 15, 16.25, 17.5) (18.25, 20.25, 21.5, 22.25) 23.25”

Yarn: 

You need approx. 850 (900, 1000, 11000, 1200) (1300, 1400, 1600, 1750) 1900 meters / 850 (950, 1100, 12050, 1350) (1450, 1550, 1750, 1950) 2100 yards of blown, chunky yarn.

Sample knit:  8 (9, 9, 10, 11) (12, 13, 15, 16) 18  balls of Sandnes Garn Børstet Alpakka (110 m / 120 / 50 g, 96% alpaca, 4% nailon) in colorway 2523 natural white tweed

Other suitable yarn examples:

• Drops Melody
• Novita Halaus
• Svarta Fåret Brushed Alpaca
• Sandnes Garn Poppy

Needles 

• 4 mm / US 6: double pointed needles and 40 cm / 16” and 60 cm / 24” or 80 cm / 32” circular needles (ribbings)
• 5 mm / US 8: 40 cm / 16” and 60 cm / 24” or 80 cm / 32” circular needles (body & sleeves)

Other materials: 

Removable stitch markers, tapestry needle, scrap yarn or stitch holding cables, double pointed needle or cable needle

Gauge:

18 sts x 26 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4″ in pattern’s cable motif (chart 1) with 5 mm / US 8 needles (after blocking). Change the needle size if needed to achieve the right gauge.