I don’t knit sweaters for my family very often. When the children were small I created lots of cotton sweaters, in a range of bright stripes. But as they got older they were left unworn. They gravitated to hoodies and lighter tops. However, over the last few years, my youngest has developed a love of warm jumpers (sweaters if you are reading from outside of Ireland/UK). He has an appreciation for warmth and was willing to mind a handknit sweater.
As you can see, he’s been wearing handknit sweaters since my very first book Contemporary Irish Knits!
Next came the measuring, planning and designing.
December last year for Christmas we started with our yarn choice and Blasta ‘Corc/Spéir’ was the winner. Then I took his measurements as well as the measurements of a sweater he liked the fit of. This gave me a good starting point for the amount of ease he liked for his sweaters.
Ease is so personal, this is why in my patterns I’ll often have a wide range for the suggested ease. Frequently men like more ease, in particular around the upper arm and yoke depth. When you combine that with wider shoulders and upper arm sizing you start to see some of the differences in sizing.
This sweater was initially designed for men’s sizing.
This means that it’s going to have more generous yoke depth and upper arm sizing. The body is knit straight down and is a little longer than I would knit typically for woman’s sizing. It’s the same with the sleeve length, they are longer than standard, however the snug ribbing allows for the cuff to be held in place.
So while it was initially designed as a men’s sweater it works well for woman also, but keeping the ease to the lower end of the range.
Simplicity and wearability are what this sweater is all about.
Design Overview for the Lucas Sweater
The Lucas Sweater is designed as a top down raglan sweater that has a comfortable, relaxed fit. The pattern stitch on the yoke is incorporated into both the neck short rows as well as the raglan increases.
Below the yoke, the pattern switches to stockinette stitch and is knit straight down to the ribbed hem. All of the edging is finished with a twisted rib and a relaxed, rolled stockinette stitch edge.
The neck uses a double-knit welt to transition from the picked-up stitches into the ribbing, creating a beautiful focal point.
The neck edging details are new to me and I’ve added a new YouTube tutorial showing you how I’ve worked it.
Pattern Details
SIZES
To Fit Actual Chest Circumference Up To: 34.5 (38.75, 43, 47.25, 51.5, 55.75, 59, 63.25)” / 87.5 (98.5, 109, 120, 131, 141.5, 150, 160.5) cm
5-9″ / 12.5 – 23 cm of positive ease recommended.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Finished Chest Circumference: 39.5 (43.75, 48, 52.25, 56.5, 60.75, 64, 68.25)” / 100.5 (111, 122, 132.5, 143.5, 154.5, 162.5, 173.5) cm
Sample 1: Corc/Spéir Blue Sample: Size 48″ / 122 cm modelled with 9″/ 23 cm positive ease
Sample 2: Nadur Cream Sample: Size 39.5″ / 100.5 cm modelled with 4.5″/ 11.5 cm positive ease
Length: 25.5 (26, 27, 27.5, 28.5, 29, 30.25, 30.5)” / 65 (66, 68.5, 70, 72.5, 73.5, 77, 77.5) cm from back of neck, omitting Neck Band
YARN
Stolen Stitches ‘Blasta’ (60% Irish wool, 40% New Zealand wool; 232 yds / 212 m per 3.6 oz / 100g); colour: Sample 1: Corc/Spéir; Sample 2: Nadur; 6 (6, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9) skeins
Approximate Yardage: 1232 (1363, 1513, 1633, 1772, 1852, 1982, 2069) yds / 1126 (1245, 1383, 1492, 1619, 1693, 1811, 1891) m
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US size 6 / 4 mm circular needle, 40″ / 100 cm long (or length needed for size)
US size 6 / 4 mm dpns if magic loop not used for sleeves or neck edging
Always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed, as every knitter’s gauge is unique.
Tapestry needle, stitch markers, waste yarn or Barber Cord.
GAUGE
19 sts and 27 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in St St blocked
19 sts and 29 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in Pattern Stitch blocked
20 sts and 30 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in Twisted Rib blocked
Where to buy
You can pick up the Lucas Sweater and Yarn kits right here: