Aquitaine

As comfortable with a glass of wine on the patio as on a tryst in the forest, this aristocratic sweater may be essential for your armoire. Two different slip stitch patterns and two strong-coloured yarns give it a timeless beauty. And you can decide which length to knit, too. The short version is smart and dressy, while the long version is elegant and sophisticated. Go ahead; make both.

Construction begins with a provisional cast on at the high empire waist and the bodice is worked in one piece up towards the shoulders, dividing for the armholes. The shoulders are shaped with short rows and finished off with a three-needle bind-off. Stitches are then reclaimed from the provisional cast on and the lower portion of the sweater is worked from the waist down to the hem. Subtle A-line shaping is achieved by using progressively larger needles thus eliminating the need to work increases into the stitch pattern and providing extra drape towards the hem. Inset sleeves are worked from cuff to cap and set into the armholes.

#sizeinclusive to a 58.25” / 148 cm finished chest measurement.

This knitting pattern includes written directions, both charted and written instructions for the stitch patterns, a schematic with measurements and front and back images.

 

Sizes + Finished Measurements

• Sizes: XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X).
• Finished chest circumference, buttoned: 30 ¼ (34 ¼, 38 ¼, 42 ¼, 46 ¼, 50 ¼, 54 ¼, 58 ¼)” / 77 (87, 97, 107.5, 117.5, 127.5, 138, 148) cm
• Intended to be worn with ¼” (0.5 cm) positive ease; shown in size S worn on a 35” bust.
• Long version back length: 28 ¾ (29 ¾, 30 ¼, 31 ¼, 32 ¼, 33 ¼, 33 ¾, 34 ¾)“ / 73 (75.5, 77, 79.5, 82, 84.5, 85.5, 88.5) cm
• Short version back length: 21 ¼ (22 ¼, 22 ¾, 23 ¼, 23 ¾, 24 ¼, 24 ¾, 25 ¼)” / 54 (56.5, 58, 59, 60.5, 61.5, 63, 64) cm
• Sleeve seam length: 16 ½ (17, 17, 17 ½, 17 ½, 18, 18, 18 ½)“ / 42 (43, 43, 44.5, 44.5, 45.5, 45.5, 47) cm
• Upper sleeve circumference: 10 ½ (12, 13 ½, 14 ½, 16, 17 ½, 18 ½, 20 ¾)” / 26.5 (30.5, 34.5, 37, 40.5, 44.5, 47, 52.5) cm

Yarn

• DK weight yarn;
• Long—855 (1010, 1120, 1290, 1460, 1630, 1795, 1995) yd / 780 (925, 1025, 1180, 1335, 1490, 1640, 1825) m (MC); 495 (555, 635, 710, 790, 855, 925, 1015) yd / 455 (505, 580, 650, 720, 780, 845, 930) m (CC);
• Short—705 (845, 940, 1085, 1225, 1370, 1520, 1690) yd / 645 (775, 860, 990, 1120, 1255, 1390, 1545) m (MC); 350 (395, 460, 505, 560, 600, 650, 705) yd / 320 (360, 420, 460, 510, 550, 595, 645) m (CC).

 
Shown in SweetGeorgia Yarns Superwash DK (100% superwash merino wool, 256 yd / 234 m per 4 oz / 115 g) in Black Plum and Autumn Flame (long version) and Magpie and Deep Cove (short version).
 
Substitution Notes
Choose a smooth yarn with a tighter twist to show some stitch definition. A lofty wool or wool blend will also work nicely as there’s a lot of yardage in this project. What you might loose in stitch definition will be gained in overall weight. Plant fibres will probably end up being too heavy and stretch out all the length measurements.

Needles + Notions

• 3.5, 3.75, and 4 mm (US 4, 5, and 6) Circular Needles, 32" (80 cm);
• 4.5 mm (US 7) Circular Needle, 40" (100 cm) for long version only;
• 4 mm (US G-6) Crochet Hook for provisional cast on;
• Waste Yarn;
• 4 Stitch Holders;
• 6 (6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7) 1⁄2" (13 mm) Buttons.

Gauge
22 sts and 30 rows to 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch using 3.75 (US 5) needle. 

Techniques
Increases/decreases, provisional cast on, working simple mosaic knitting (slipped stitches) colourwork from charts or written instructions (no stranding), short rows, three needle bind off, set-in sleeve sweater construction, worked flat, bottom up and top down, seaming for armholes only, picking up stitches, buttonholes and sewing on buttons.

Helpful Links
Raised Increases Video Tutorial
Raised Increases Photo Tutorial
SSK & SSP Tutorial