New Pattern: Larkspur
Soothing to knit and easy to wear, Larkspur shows that cables and summer can be a match made in heaven. Rhythmic columns of cables—built out of simple 2x2 crossings—add texture, interest, and shape to this modern drop-shouldered tee. The easy-to-memorize cable chart forms a kind of impressionistic optical illusion: up close, the cables pop off the reverse stockinette background stiches individually in dramatic, high relief, but from a distance, they form an allover texture for a modern, fashion-forward look. Generously draped and designed for significant positive ease, Larkspur is a flattering, laid-back summer staple.
Larkspur can be knit either in pieces and seamed or “mostly seamlessly” (in the round to the underarms, then knit flat and seamed at the shoulder) for an easy knitting experience, with top-down sleeves that can be easily adjusted in length. The generous dose of silk and cotton in Magpie Fibers’ wonderful “Solstice” yarn adds both luxury and visual interest, for a finished sweater that feels amazing on your skin and has enough polish to dress up or down.*
Size
XS (S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL); finished bust circumference 36.5 (40, 44, 48.5, 52, 56, 60.5)” / 93 (102, 112, 123, 132, 142, 154) cm. Pullover shown measures 44” / 112 cm with 10” / 25 cm positive ease. Recommended positive ease: 8-14” / 20.5-35.5 cm.
Yarn
Magpie Fibers Solstice (50% Merino, 25% silk, 25% cotton, 300 yards / 274 meters per 100 grams); 4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6) skeins, or 925 (1025, 1125, 1225, 1325, 1425, 1550) yards / 850 (925, 1025, 1125, 1200, 1300, 1400) meters DK-weight yarn, preferably in a wool/cotton or wool/linen blend. Sample shown in “Bootcut.”
Gauge
20 sts and 28 rows over 4” / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on larger needles, after blocking; 27 sts and 28 rows over 4” / 10 cm in cable pattern as charted on larger needles, after blocking.
Needles
32” / 80 cm or longer circular needle in size US 7 (4.5 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge, and one size smaller. For sleeves, either one set of double-pointed needles or long needle for magic loop in smaller needle size.
Notions
Tapestry needle, stitch markers, cable needle (optional).
Skills Required
Increasing, decreasing, picking up stitches, seaming, knitting in the round (for sleeves only), cabling with or without a cable needle.
CONSTRUCTION NOTE
Because of the stitch count required for this sweater (which is in a DK weight, is heavily cabled, and has substantial positive ease), I’ve written the instructions so that the sweater is knit flat and seamed. You can, however, easily work this sweater seamlessly to the underarms, and then dividing for front and back, should that be your preference (you’ll still need to seam the shoulders, so this construction is “mostly-seamless”). The sleeves are picked up and knit top-down, regardless of which construction method you use for the body. Set-up instructions for mostly-seamless construction are located at the end of the pattern.
