Otago Drylands Sweater

The Otago Drylands Sweater is a “down‑under” interpretation of the classic colourwork yoke pullover. Worked in DK yarn from the top down, it features short‑row shaping at the back neck for a comfortable fit. After the yoke is complete, stitches are picked up under the arms and the body and sleeves are worked in the round. The sleeves are finished last, also in the round.

The design draws inspiration from the muted, earthy tones of the Otago landscape in New Zealand. The colourwork yoke incorporates motifs representing three native drylands flora, creating a gentle, nature‑inspired rhythm around the neckline.

For knitters familiar with stranded colourwork, this sweater will be a straightforward project. For those new to colourwork, it provides an enjoyable introduction.

Sizing:

[to fit bust/ finished bust] 

Size 1 [71-76 cm or 28 -30 inches/ 86 cm or 34 inches] 

Size 2 [81-86 cm or 32-34 inches/ 96 cm or 38 inches] 

Size 3 [91-97 cm or 36 -38 inches/ 106 cm or 42 inches] 

Size 4 [102-107 cm or 40-42 inches/ 118 cm or 46 ½ inches] 

Size 5 [112-117 cm or 44-46 inches/ 127 cm or 50 inches] 

Size 6 [122-127 cm or 48-50 inches/ 136 cm or 53 ½ inches] 

Size 7 [132 – 137 cm or 52-54 inches/ 147 cm or 58 inches] 

Size 8 [142-147 cm or 56-58 inches/157 cm or 62 inches] 

Size 9 [152-157 cm or 60-62 inches/ 165 cm or 65 inches] 

Yarn: 

Choose three yarns recommended for 4 mm (US 6) needles with a gauge of 22 sts and 30 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) in stockinette. You will need one main colour (MC) and two accent colours (AC1 and AC2). The example in the photos is worked in: 

-Main colour (MC): Skeinz Flight Natural Merino, 8 ply, approximately 104 m per 50 g, colour 601 Kiwi.  

-Accent colour 1 (AC1) Skeinz Poppy 8 ply, approximately 104 m per 50 grams, SHD PY5 Golden Wheat. 

Accent colour 2 (AC2): Skeinz Flight Natural Merino, 8 ply, approximately 104 m per 50 g, colour 605 Weka. 

Approximate Yardage:

[Main Colour/ Accent Colour 1/ Accent Colour 2] 

Size 1 [710 m or 780 yards/ 150 m or 160 yards/ 130 m or 140 yards] 

Size 2 [760 m or 830 yards/ 150 m or 160 yards/ 140 m or 160 yards] 

Size 3 [830 m or 910 yards/ 160 m or 170 yards/ 140 m or 150 yards] 

Size 4 [910 m or 1000 yards/ 170 m or 190 yards/ 150 m or 160 yards] 

Size 5 [980 m or1070 yards/ 180 m or 200 yards/ 160 m or 170 yards] 

Size 6 [1040 m or 1140 yards/ 180 m or 200 yards/ 160 m or 170 yards] 

Size 7 [1150 m or 1260 yards/ 190 m or 210 yards/ 180 m or 200 yards] 

Size 8 [1230 m or 1350 yards/ 210 m or 230 yards/ 200 m or 220 yards] 

Size 9 [1310 m or 1430 yards/ 220 m or 240 yards/ 200 m or 220 yards] 

Needles: 

• 3.5 mm (US 4) circular needles for working the neckband in a short length (say, 40 cm) or a long length will also work in the magic loop method. 
• Four 4.0 mm (US 6) double-pointed needles for working the sleeves or a longer circular needle for the magic loop method.  
• Four 3.5 mm (US4) double-pointed needles for working the sleeve cuffs or a longer circular needle for the magic loop method. 
• 3.5 mm (US 4) circular needles for working the bottom ribbing band with a length of, say, 60 (80, 80, 80, 100), [100, 120, 120, 120] cm or 23 (31, 31, 31, 40), [40, 47, 47, 47] inches.  
• 4 mm (US 6) circular needle for working the yoke and torso with a length of, say, 60 (80, 80, 80, 100), [100, 120, 120, 120] cm or 23 (31, 31, 31, 40), [40, 47, 47, 47] inches. 

Gauge: 

22 sts and 30 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) in stockinette.