Musou

Musou has a relaxed and slightly cropped fit that makes it a versatile addition to your wardrobe whether you love dresses and skirts or trousers. It is simple to change the style by adding length and the optional bust darts allow you to adjust the fit to your body.

It is an easy pattern to follow, perfect for ambitious beginners to try some new techniques and an enjoyable easygoing knit for more practiced knitters.

The jumper is worked in one piece from the bottom up to the underarm. If you want to add bust darts, you add them before splitting the front and back. Both are worked separately shaping the modified drop shoulder including decreases at the arm scye. After seaming the shoulder, stitches for a fold over neckband will be picked up and the edge will be bound off together with the stitches from the pick up row on the inside of the neckband. Stitches for the sleeves are picked up and the sleeve worked from the top down. The difference in circumference is created by using the different gauges for Brioche Rib and Wasp stitch. There is only shaping at the wrist to work the cuff.

The pattern includes:

• written instructions
• video tutorials for Brioche basics (stitches, increases & decreases) and written instructions for all pattern stitches/ techniques
• tips for working Brioche, reading your fabric

You can check the tutorials here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAN_dS1J_2tANLrCFC…

Skills required:

basic knit and purl stitches 

basic increases and decreases (ssk, k2tog, yo)

Techniques used

German Short Rows 

Brioche Ribbing 

Slipped Stitches

Yarn

MC: La Bien Aimee Helix 75% Falkland Merino & 25% Gotland Wool 710 yds (650 m)/ 100g in Sea Glass

864 (908, 995, 1083) (1170, 1280, 1390) (1500, 1640, 1815) yds/ 790 (830, 910, 990) (1070, 1170, 1270) (1370, 1500, 1660) m 

2 (2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2) (3, 3, 3) skeins held together with

La Bien Aimee Silk Mohair 70% Mohair & 30% Mulberry Silk 546 yds (500 m)/ 50g 

2 (2, 2, 2) (3, 3, 3) (3, 3, 4) skeins in Sea Glass

CC:La Bien Aimee Twist Nouveau 100% Non-Superwash Merino 437 yds (400 m)/ 100g, 1 skein for all sizes in Chihiro & No face

For size 1 - 4 a 25g mini skein of fingering weight yarn is sufficient. For size 5 - 10 you will need approx. 197 yds (180 m) / 45g of fingering weight yarn.

If you add bust darts you will need additional yardage of MC yarns: 

Cup 1: 10 (11, 12, 13) (14, 15, 16.5) (17, 18, 19) yds/ 9.5 (10, 11, 12) (13, 14, 15) (15.5, 16.5, 17.5) m 

Cup 2: 23 (24, 26, 28) (31, 33, 36) (38, 40.5, 43) yds/ 21 (22, 24, 26) (28, 30, 33) (35, 37, 39) m 

Cup 3: 34 (35, 38, 42) (45, 47, 52) (55, 58, 61) yds/31 (32, 35, 38) (41, 43, 47) (50, 53, 56) m 

Cup 4: 44 (46, 50, 55) (59, 62, 68) (72, 76.5, 80) yds/ 40 (42, 46, 50) (54, 57, 62) 

(66, 70, 73) m 

Cup 5: 57 (59, 66, 70) (76.5, 81, 86) (92, 97, 103) yds/ 52 (54, 60, 64) (70, 74, 79) (84, 89, 94) m 

These are approximations. Total yardage will depend on the yarn you use (fiber content, ply, etc.), your personal gauge, and any modifications you may make.

Needles: US 6/ 4mm, 47”/ 120 cm circular needles / needles in the size to obtain gauge, interchangeable needles are a good choice to make it easier to put your stitches on hold. 

US6/ 4mm DPN’s or preferred needles for small circumference knitting.

Gauge: Stockinette St 24 sts / 27 r 

4 x 4 inches/ 10 x 10cm after blocking. 

Brioche Rib: 19 sts / 20 r 1x1 Rib: 32 sts / 27 r Garter St 21 sts/ 40 r 

Wasp St 24 sts / 40 r

Notions: tapestry needle, removable stitch markers, stitch holder/ scrap yarn