Elza Sweater

> Use code **RAV_ELZA** to get a **15% discount**. Code is valid until 8th February 23:59 GMT. Introducing the Elza Sweater, the first garment in a new collection inspired by motifs I have seen on traditional Latvian mittens. The design is a raglan with simple shaping and all-over stranded colourwork so you can enjoy the process of savouring every stitch. It is worked top down seamlessly in the round, although the neckline area is worked flat. The chart is a simple, repetitive symmetric motif with predominantly short floats. It has a very intuitive rhythm and makes for a relaxing project. Using a colour-changing gradient as the main colour adds to the intrigue and makes the project more addictive. I recommend using colour combinations with high contrast so the intricate motif stands out. Any sport weight yarn that gets the gauge and works well for stranded colourwork will be a perfect choice for this project. +[media title][1] I used Dundaga Wool for this project. It is produced at the historic Pāce Wool Factory, Pāces Vilnas Fabrika in Dundaga, Latvia, which dates back to the late 19th century. The mill still uses its original machinery, and the wool comes from locally sheared sheep. The washing process is completely natural, using filtered pond water and salt instead of chemicals. This process preserves up to 70% of the natural lanolin in the wool. This single-ply yarn is minimally processed, and it retains tiny bits of the land it came from. It features long, smooth gradients that create fluid colour transitions. Each skein is unique, and these limited-edition colourways are never repeated. If you are looking for this yarn, [Wrap In Wool][2] is offering a special selection for this launch. They have used newer tech to create images showing how each colourway would look in the sweater to help you visualise when choosing a colourway. They ship from Latvia. Another option is [Baltic Knits][3], and they offer a 15% discount with the code "ELZASWEATER". This is valid until the end of day 1st of February (UK time), and they ship worldwide from the UK. > [Join our newsletter][4] and be the first to know about new pattern releases, test calls exclusive discounts, events and other news. **Difficulty**: Intermediate. **Sizes**: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) Finished chest circumference: - 94 (103, 114, 123, 134, 143, 154, 163, 174) cm - 37½ (41¼, 45½, 49¼, 53½, 57¼, 61½, 65¼, 69½)” Designed to be worn with 15-20 cm / 6-8” positive ease around the chest. **Yarn**: Sport weight, depending on the length of the sweater, allow approximately: Main colour (MC): - 1095 (1185, 1290, 1360, 1460, 1545, 1660, 1785, 1895) m - 1195 (1300, 1410, 1485, 1600, 1690, 1820, 1950, 2070) yds Contrast colour (CC): - 905 (985, 1070, 1125, 1210, 1275, 1375, 1470, 1565) m - 990 (1075, 1170, 1230, 1325, 1395, 1500, 1610, 1710) yds Yarn used in the sample (size 2) is 4 skeins of Dundaga Wool (100% Latvian Wool; 420 m [460 yds] / 100 g), two skeins (each weighing just under 200 g) of dark gradient as Main Colour (MC) and 2 skeins (each weighing just under 200 g) of natural undyed the Contrast colour (CC). **Gauge**: 26 sts & 32 rows = 10 cm / 4” in stranded colourwork in the round, on larger needles, blocked. Block your swatch the same way you plan to block your garment and let it fully dry before measuring the gauge. **Suggested needles**: - 3 mm (US 2½) or needle size required to obtain gauge. These should be circulars 60-100 cm / 24-40” long. - 2.75 mm (US 2) or size smaller than gauge needles for the neckband. These should be circulars 40-60 cm / 16-24” long. **Notions**: Stitch markers, locking markers, row counter, tape measure, stitch holders or waste yarn, tapestry needle. **Techniques used**: Lifted increases, stranded colourwork, Backwards loop cast-on, knitting in the round, i-cord bind-off. **Construction notes**: The sweater is knit seamlessly from the top down. Stitches for the neckline are cast on and divided among the fronts, sleeves, and back. The piece is worked flat, increasing along four raglan lines and shaping the neckline using increases. Eventually, all sections are joined in the round with additional cast-on stitches to complete the front neckline. The rest of the yoke is worked in the round down to the underarms with continued raglan shaping. The body and sleeves are then separated. The body is knit in the round straight down to the hem and finished with a short 1x1 rib and i-cord bind-off. The sleeves are worked in the round with decreases down to the cuffs. Finally, stitches are picked up from the neckline cast-on edge and worked in round in a short 1x1 rib and finished the same way as the hem. [1]: https://youtu.be/x9OvJ3Ox2Ik [2]: https://www.wrapinwool.com/veikals/category/dundaga-wool/ [3]: https://balticknits.co.uk/collections/unique-multicolored-wool-from-latvia [4]: https://zaneteknits.com