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Take Your Stitches in New Directions with this Knit Sweater

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When I first saw the New Directions Knit Pullover from Yarnspirations, I thought it was a cable knitting project.

But it turns out these shifting stitches are caused by strategic increases and decreases that form those lines that look like cables.

This is a super fun way to get a cable like look without needing to actually make cables, and it will give you lots of practice with difference increases and decreases (the pattern uses knit 2 together, purl 2 together, slip, slip knit and make 1).

The project is rated for intermediate knitters and uses worsted weight yarn. It comes in six sizes up to a finished chest measurement of 65 inches, though it is meant to have a lot of positive ease. The extra small/small size, for example, has a finished chest measurement of 42 inches and the pattern says it is to fit people with a chest measurement from 28 to 34 inches.

The pattern is worked flat in pieces from the bottom up on the body and the top down on the sleeves. It has raglan shaping and the back is longer than the front. In addition to the shifting cable like stitches, the pattern uses reverse rice stitch on the rest of the body and sleeves, giving it lots of fun texture. (It’s a combination of knitting one row and working ribbing on one row, so it’s actually really easy.)

This project looks super cozy and not too difficult to stitch. And if you have knitting friends they might be as surprised as I was that this one is worked without a cable needle since they aren’t really cables!

If you are ready to knit actual cables — or are a pro with them already — check out my collection of cable knitting patterns to help boost your skills. There’s a sampler blanket, a sweater, a cozy hat and more to choose from.

[Photo: Yarnspirations.]

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Have you read?

A Short and Sweet Top to Knit for Summer

I think one of the things that keeps me from wearing some of the summer tops that I have knit is that when they use worsted weight yarn, they’re actually heavier and warmer than a normal T-shirt would be. Which sometimes is fine, since I tend to be cold, but it’s not always what you want from your warm-weather gear.

That’s why shirts and tops knit with fingering (aka sock) yarn are so great. They’re super light weight and honestly they don’t take as long to knit as you probably think they will.

I’m sure that’s true with the Maya Top from Gavriella Treminio, especially if you choose the cropped length option. This top down sweater has a textured circular yoke with bobbles and eyelets, while the rest of the body is worked in stockinette stitch. Other than the integrated ribbed neckband, other edges are left in stockinette so they will roll slightly to finish the casual look. 

The design comes with seven different size options, ranging from 36 to 62 inches in the chest. The pattern page doesn’t say how much ease is meant to be included in the pattern, but starting at size 36 would leave it pretty roomy for folks in the smaller sizes.

I don’t think the suggested yarn is made anymore, but it looks like a top that would be lovely in a mercerized cotton or a linen and silk blend, something with a little bit of shine to it. This is one of those times when the yarn suggestions on Ravelry can be super helpful because you can see what yarn other people used and how their finished projects came out.

You can get this pattern on Ravelry.

Looking for more summer top patterns? I’ve collected some lacy top knitting patterns here, and a few great tank top knitting patterns here.

[Photo: Gavriella Treminio.]

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