Helica pullover

Helica, from Latin “winding”, is a name I picked for this design because of the winding ivy branch of the colourwork pattern on the yoke.

The design features an interesting cast-on method, which imitates tubular cast-on and transitions into 2x2 ribbing. Moreover, the bottom of the yoke is decorated with the woven in “root-like” elements, which can be extended all the way to the body. Video tutorials for both the cast-on and decorative elements are provided.

The pullover is knit top-down in the round. It has a relaxed fit and a boxy body. The sleeves are tapered towards the cuffs, with the cuffs being relaxed and on the looser size.

You can also take a closer look at my sample and discover the design process in episode 36 of my podcast.

Sizes

The pattern is written for nine sizes 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9)

with a finished bust circumference of
ca. 86 (96, 106, 116, 126) (136, 146, 156, 166) cm // 34 (39, 42, 47, 50) (55, 58, 63, 66) in incl. ca. 10 cm (4 in) of the recommended positive ease.

The sample is shown in size 2 on a 160 cm (5.3 ft) tall model with 84 cm (33 in) bust circumference. For more of the finished garment measurements, please refer to the schematic provided.

Yarn

• MC: ca. 275 (300, 325, 345, 375) (400, 420, 450, 475) g or 3 (3, 4, 4, 4) (4, 5, 5, 5) skeins of Tibetan Cloud, 100% Tibetan sheep wool from Myak, with 300 m (328 yds) in 100 g, shown in colourway Canella;

or ca. 825 (900, 975, 1035, 1125) (1200, 1260, 1350, 1425) m // 903 (985, 1067, 1132, 1231) (1313, 1378, 1477, 1559) yds of any other sport/DK weight yarn with a matching gauge.

The estimated MC yardage includes 10% extra.

• CC: ca. 30 (30, 35, 35, 40) (40, 40, 45, 45) g or less than 1 skein of the same yarn, shown in colourway Black Petunia;

or ca. 90 (90, 105, 105, 120) (120, 120, 135, 135) m // 98 (98, 115, 115, 131) (131, 131, 148, 148) yds of any other sport/DK weight yarn with a matching gauge.

Needles and notions

• 3.0 mm (US 2.5) and 3.5 mm (US 4) circular needles;
• stitch holders, spare cables, spare circular needles or scrap yarn;
• a few stitch markers;
• scrap yarn for provisional cast-on;
• a crochet hook (any size close to needle size);
• a tapestry needle.

Gauge

• 21 sts & 26 rnds in 10 cm (4 in) on 3.5 mm (US 4) needles measured over st st and stranded colourwork worked in the round after blocking;
• 24 sts & 34 rnds in 10 cm (4 in) on 3.0 mm (US 2.5) needles measured over 2x2 ribbing worked in the round after blocking.

Adjust the needle sizes if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Language

• English
• French
• Spanish