Marchpane Sweater

“whē it is wel baked, put on your gold and biskets, and stick in Comfits, and so you shall make a good Marchpaine” 1587 recipe for Marchpane, tudortreasures.net

I love eating marzipan fruits, especially at Christmas time, so the small motifs on the Marchpane Sweater are inspired by the shapes of these festive treats. Marchpane is an old word for the first type of marzipan, but it also conjures up images of small panes of glass, which you might also spot within the sweater’s knitted motifs at both the yoke and hem.

CONSTRUCTION

Marchpane is worked top down starting from each front shoulder. Front shoulders are joined and worked flat to the armholes. The back shoulders are picked up from the cast-on edge and worked flat down to the armholes, with short rows to shape the back neck. Once the sts are joined at the armholes for the body, the body is worked in the round to the hem. The sleeves are picked up from the armholes with short row shaping for the sleeve cap and then worked in the round to the cuff. Stitches are picked up for the neckband and worked in twisted rib.

YARN

Cambrian Mountain Wool, 4ply (heavy 4ply; 150m / 164 yds per 50g ball; 100% wool) 

7 (8, 8, 9, 10) {10, 11, 12, 12} balls in Ironstone 

Size 4 worn with around 15 cm / 6 ” positive ease at chest 

Yarn kits available at www.maddieharveydesigns.co.uk

Yarn Amounts

The yardage estimated for using the suggested yarn: 

1025 (1100, 1180, 1285, 1370) {1470, 1555, 1665, 1750} m 

1120 (1205, 1295, 1405, 1495) {1610, 1700, 1820, 1915} yds 

If you’re planning to lengthen Marchpane you will need more yarn.

GAUGE, NEEDLES & NOTIONS 

Gauge

24 (26) sts x 32 (32) rows = 10 cm / 4” measured over stocking stitch (Twisted Rib) on smaller (larger) needles

Needles

3.25 mm circular needles, 80 cm / 32” long 

3.5 mm circular needles, 80 cm / 32” long 

3.25 mm & 3.5mm needles are also used for working the sleeves and neckband in the round, so double-pointed needles are also required if not working magic loop. Adjust needles sizes if needed to meet required gauge.

Notions

4 locking stitch markers; cable needle; stitch holders or waste yarn; spare 3.25mm needle; tapestry needle

SIZE & FIT

1 (2, 3, 4, 5) {6, 7, 8, 9} to fit with 11.5-21 cm / 4.5-8.25 ” positive ease at chest (see schematic in photos for more details)

Size 4 sample shown with 15 cm / 6” of positive ease across the chest. Maddie is 5’9 in height.

Pattern includes full written instructions, photographs, a schematic and has been professionally tech-edited.

NOTE: This pattern previously appeared in Knit Now with an accompanying scarf, however the self-published version is for the sweater only.