Water Bearer

>**Want more designs like this? ** <br/> >I have a newsletter where I announce new designs & classes, share notes on patternmaking & art, and reflect on fat politics & queer community. ❤︎₊ ⊹ > >*You'll also get a discount code as a thank you for subscribing.* ◡̈ > > ⊹ [Subscribe to my newsletter][1] ⟡ [Follow me on Instagram @jaqcieslak][2] ⊹ > For first-time brioche knitters: I designed a small accessory pattern that teaches the techniques you need for this sweater! The Water Born Headwrap is [available on Ravelry here.][3] <hr> . ݁₊ ⊹ ₊ ݁. <big><big>DESCRIPTION</big></big> WATER BEARER is a sweater inspired by and designed for the creative, justice-minded, free spirit of the Aquarian zodiac. With seamless top-down construction and a dramatic brioche shawl collar, this cardigan provides for an elegant and absorbing knit. The pattern includes 12 sizes, two length options, written and charted instructions for the brioche waves, and 5 video tutorials that cover everything from choosing the correct size to picking up stitches and working the i-cord bind off along the edges of the collar. → [Click here to download a free preview][4] with all the pattern details, including sizing information, yarn requirements, gauge and needles, and a full schematic. <hr> . ݁₊ ⊹ ₊ ݁. <big><big>SIZING</big></big> **READ THIS BEFORE CHOOSING YOUR SIZE:** Most sweater patterns are sized based on FULL bust circumference, but Water Bearer is sized based on UPPER bust circumference. I have sized the pattern this way because the most critical fit is in the shoulders, and the pattern includes bust darts to accommodate a range of bust differences at each size. → To view a more in-depth video explanation of how the sizing works for Water Bearer, [click here.][14] → To see how Water Bearer looks across the size range with varying amounts of ease, [check out the test knitting round up here!][15] **Sizes by UPPER bust circumference in inches/cm:** (30, 32.5, 35.25, 37.75) \[40.25, 42.75, 45.25, 47.75\] {50.25, 52.75, 55.25, 57.75} “ / (76.5, 83, 89, 95.5) \[102, 108.5, 115, 121.5\] {127.5, 134, 140.5, 147} cm To choose your size, measure the circumference at your upper bust (your chest at your underarms) and select the closest exact size. If you are between sizes, I recommend sizing down. *Details for sizing to add optional vertical bust darts are included in the pattern.* *In the pattern photos, Jaq (Aquarius) is wearing a cropped size 47.75” /121.5 cm with B bust darts, and Wendy (Iron) is wearing a full length size 32.5” / 83 cm with no bust darts.* > NOTE: The method I use for the top-down set-in sleeve construction in this pattern is adapted from Elizabeth Doherty’s book, [Top Down: Reimagining Set-In Sleeve Design][16], published by Quince & Co. I highly recommend this book for guidance modifying this pattern to address fit issues (such as making a larger or smaller bicep). Recommendation included here with the author’s permission. <hr> . ݁₊ ⊹ ₊ ݁. <big><big>GAUGE, NEEDLES, NOTIONS</big></big> **Gauge:** 19 sts and 28 rows over 4”/10cm in brioche after blocking **Recommended needles:** - Main needles: US 6 (4 mm) 32”/80 cm OR 40”/100 cm circular; DPNs for sleeves if not using magic loop - Larger needles: US 8 (5 mm) 24”/60 cm — used only for i-cord on the back of the neck when starting project **Notions:** stitch markers, locking stitch markers, stitch holders or scrap yarn, darning needle <hr> . ݁₊ ⊹ ₊ ݁. <big><big>YARN</big></big> This sweater is designed for a DK weight wool/wool blend. I used Ritual Dyes Priestess DK (250 yds/115g) in Aquarius (larger sample) and Iron (smaller sample). Priestess is a 100% fine superwash merino with a 4-ply twist. **CROPPED Yarn requirements by yardage:** (850, 900, 950, 1000) \[1075, 1250, 1325, 1400\] {1475, 1575, 1675, 1775} **CROPPED Yarn requirements by meter:** (778, 823, 869, 915) \[983, 1143, 1212, 1280\] {1349, 1441, 1532, 1624} **FULL LENGTH Yarn requirements by yardage:** (1000, 1050, 1100, 1150) \[1225, 1300, 1375, 1475\] {1575, 1675, 1775, 1875} **FULL LENGTH Yarn requirements by meter:** (915, 960, 1006, 1052) \[1120, 1189, 1258, 1349\] {1440, 1532, 1623, 1715} **Other suitable yarns:** $ [Knit Picks City Tweed DK][5] [Lion Brand Hand Dyed Heaven][6] [Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine Silky Soft 120][7] $$ [DK Bluefaced Leicester (BFL) Superwash][8] [Brooklyn Tweed Arbor][9] [Malabrigo Rios][10] *– this is actually a worsted weight but a test knitter got gauge with it* $$$ [Neighborhood Fiber Co. Studio DK][11] [La Bien Aimée Merino DK][12] [Magpie Fibers Swanky DK][13] <hr> . ݁₊ ⊹ ₊ ݁. <big><big>VIDEO TUTORIALS</big></big> The following original video tutorials were created to accompany this pattern and are linked throughout the pattern: 1. [Water Bearer Sizing & Construction][17] 2. [Provisional crochet cast-on][18] 3. [Brioche 101: sl1yo and brk][19] 4. [Brioche 102: decreasing & increasing][20] 5. [Picking up stitches & i-cord bind-off][21] <hr> . ݁₊ ⊹ ₊ ݁. <big><big>SHARING</big></big> See pictures of other Water Bearer sweaters and share pictures of your own progress on Instagram with the hashtag [#WaterBearerSweater][22]. Be sure to tag [@jaqcieslak][23] too! <hr> *All of my garment patterns are #sizeinclusive up to at least a 60" full bust circumference.* [1]: https://www.jaqcieslak.com/newsletter [2]: https://www.instagram.com/jaqcieslak/ [3]: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/water-born [4]: https://jaqcieslak.com/preview/o1qC [5]: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/knit-picks-city-tweed-dk [6]: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/lion-brand-hand-dyed-heaven [7]: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/schachenmayr-merino-extrafine-silky-soft-120 [8]: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/sun-valley-fibers-dk-bluefaced-leicester-bfl-superwash [9]: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/brooklyn-tweed-arbor [10]: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/malabrigo-yarn-rios [11]: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/neighborhood-fiber-co-studio-dk [12]: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/la-bien-aimee-merino-dk [13]: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/magpie-fibers-swanky-dk [14]: https://www.instagram.com/tv/B7pB7g1J49S/ [15]: https://studio.jaqcieslak.com/water-bearer/ [16]: https://quinceandco.com/products/top-down [17]: https://www.instagram.com/tv/B7pB7g1J49S/ [18]: https://www.instagram.com/tv/B7pC2RhJC0T/ [19]: https://www.instagram.com/jaqcieslak/reel/B7pDoVQp1N_/ [20]: https://www.instagram.com/jaqcieslak/reel/B7pD_CGJYay/ [21]: https://www.instagram.com/jaqcieslak/reel/B7pExAmJm_c/ [22]: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/waterbearersweater/ [23]: http://www.instagram.com/jaqcieslak