State of Flux

DESCRIPTION

State of Flux is a top-down compound raglan cowl neck pullover that plays with duality at every level. Designed to be fully reversible, the body of the sweater is knit in stockinette holding two yarns together. Turn it inside out and the reverse stockinette brings out an entirely new dimension. A subtle contrast between two shades of yarn enhances the reversible design.

At the neck, hem, and sleeve cuffs, two-color brioche ribbing provides a counterpoint to the minimalist body. The generous cowl neck is worked seamlessly and folds elegantly regardless of which way you wear the sweater.

The pattern includes optional bust and waist shaping to customize the garment fit to your body shape. For a more relaxed silhouette the body can also be knit straight, omitting all shaping.

State of Flux comes in 10 sizes from XS to 6X. The pattern provides both charted and written instructions for the brioche pattern. Measurements are given in both metric and US units.

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SIZING

• XS (S, M, L, XL) [2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X]
• To fit upper bust circumference of approx. 71 (82, 92, 102, 112) [122, 132, 142, 153, 163] cm / 28 (32¼, 36¼, 40¼, 44) [48, 52, 56, 60¼, 64¼]"
• Finished body circumference without shaping: approx. 76 (87, 98, 107, 118) [127, 140, 149, 158, 169] cm / 29¾ (34, 38½, 42, 46¼) [49¾, 55, 58½, 62, 66½]"
• Finished full bust circumference with bust shaping: approx. 80 (91, 102, 117, 128) [137, 150, 159, 172, 183] cm / 31½ (35¾, 40¼, 46, 50¼) [53¾, 59, 62½, 67¾, 72¼]" or adjustable

Choose a size based on upper bust circumference (measured at the underarm level above any breast tissue). This size-inclusive pullover is intended to be worn with approx. 5–7.5 cm / 2–3" of positive ease.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to find test knitters for sizes 3X–6X. If you'd like to knit any of these sizes, I would be happy to provide you the pattern free of charge in exchange for your feedback. Contact me for more information!

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

See last photo.

GAUGE

• 18 sts × 28 rnds = 10 cm / 4" in stockinette on larger needles with both yarns held together, blocked
• 18 sts × 56 rnds = 10 cm / 4" in two-color brioche on smaller needles, blocked

Note that two rounds of brioche are worked for every visible round on the right side of the work.

MATERIALS

Yarn

• Yarn A: Filcolana Tilia (70% mohair, 30% silk, 210 m/25 g, 230 yd/0.88 oz), approx. 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) [6, 7, 8, 8, 8] skeins in the colorway #360 Azalea
• Yarn B: Isager Tweed (70% wool, 30% mohair, 200 m/50 g, 219 yd/1.76 oz), approx. 5 (5, 6, 6, 7) [7, 8, 8, 9, 9] skeins in the colorway Wine

Or

• Yarn A: fluffy lace-weight yarn, such as mohair, mohair/silk, or brushed alpaca, approx. 810 (880, 1010, 1080, 1180) [1260, 1380, 1480, 1580, 1670] m / 890 (960, 1110, 1180, 1290) [1370, 1500, 1620, 1730, 1830] yd
• Yarn B: smooth fingering-weight yarn, such as pure wool or a wool blend, approx. 860 (940, 1080, 1160, 1260) [1350, 1460, 1580, 1700, 1800] m / 940 (1030, 1180, 1270, 1380) [1470, 1600, 1730, 1860, 1970] yd

Needles

• 4.0 mm / US #6 short and long circular needles for stockinette (or size needed to obtain gauge)
• 2.75 mm / US #2 short and long circular needles for two-color brioche
• If not working in magic loop, double-pointed needles in the same sizes for the neck and sleeves

Notions

• 7 stitch markers: 4 raglan markers, 2 lace markers, 1 BOR marker
• Waste yarn, extra cable, or circular needle for holding sleeve stitches
• Darning needle

TECHNIQUES USED

The pattern uses the following techniques: alternating long-tail cast-on, working in the round, two-color brioche, brioche increases and decreases, German short rows, lifted increases, provisional cast-on, and elastic bind-off in brioche.

REFERENCES

• Two-color Alternating Long-tail Cast-on
• Brioche Double Increase brK-yo-brK
• Brioche Left-slanting Decrease brLsl-dec
• Brioche Right-slanting Decrease brRsl-dec
• Lifted Increases
• German Short Rows
• 6+1 Provisional Cast-on Methods
• Vertical Bust Darts
• Horizontal (Short-row) Bust Darts
• Binding Off Brioche with an Elastic Bind-off
• Avoiding Underarm Holes in Knitting
• Weaving in Ends with Duplicate Stitch
• Weaving in Ends in Brioche