Hokusai Vest and Top

Two patterns in one! The Hokusai Vest and Top are stranded colorwork items depicting Katsushika Hokusai's "Fine Wind Clear Morning". A gradient yarn is used for the main color, reminiscent of the original woodblock print. The Hokusai Vest is open at the sides and slightly more oversized, intended to be worn over another layer. The Hokusai Top is the summer version that is seamed at the sides and more fitted, intended to be worn on its own. Both are made using DK weight (or fingering held double), but the Hokusai Top is knit at a tighter gauge. **CONSTRUCTION** The Hokusai Vest and Top are knit flat in separate back and front panels. After knitting the back panel, the left and right shoulders are picked up for the front and shaped using German Short Rows. Once both back and front panels are completed, they are seamed together at the underarm cast-on edges for the Vest, leaving the sides open. For the Top, the sides are are fully seamed together below the underarm until the hem. **GAUGE** **Hokusai Vest:** Using 4.0 mm (US 6) needles, 23 sts x 30 rows per 4 inches x 4 inches (10cm x 10cm) in stockinette. **Hokusai Top:** Using 3.5 mm (US 4) needles, 25 sts x 33 rows per 4 inches x 4 inches (10cm x 10cm) in stockinette. **SIZE** **Hokusai Vest** 1 (2) 3 (4) 5 (6) 7. Sample shown in size 1. There is an intended 4-8 inches (10-20cm) of positive ease. Chest circumference: Approx. 40 (43) 46 (49) 52 (55) 58 inches / 102 (109) 117 (124) 132 (140) 147 cm. Total length from mid back: Approx. 18 (19) 20 (21) 22 (23) 24 inches / 46 (48) 51 (53) 56 (58) 61 cm. Upper arm circumference: Approx. 17 (18) 19 (20) 21 (22) 23 inches /43 (46) 48 (51) 53 (56) 58 cm. **Hokusai Top** 1 (2) 3 (4) 5 (6) 7. Sample shown in size 1. There is an intended 0-4 inches (0-10cm) of positive ease. Chest circumference: Approx. 36 (38) 41 (43) 46 (48) 51 inches / 91 (97) 104 (110) 117 (123) 130 cm. Total length from mid back: Approx. 18 (19) 20 (21) 22 (23) 24 inches / 46 (48) 51 (53) 56 (58) 61 cm. Upper arm circumference: Approx. 17 (18) 19 (20) 21 (22) 23 inches /43 (46) 48 (51) 53 (56) 58 cm. **YARN** **Hokusai Vest** MC: 520 (570) 620 (670) 720 (770) 820 m / 568 (623) 678 (733) 788 (843) 898 yds CC: 40m/44yds for all sizes Sample (size 1) is shown using 2 full skeins of Schoppel Gradient (DK weight, 260m/284 yd per 100g skein) in Herbstsonne for the MC and Plymouth Superwash DK (119m/130 yd per 50g skein). A separate skein of the MC was used for the front and back panels. Note that there is variation in gradient start and stop points between skeins of Schoppel Gradient. **Hokusai Top** MC: 600 (660) 720 (790) 850 (910) 980 m / 650 (720) 790 (860) 930 (1000) 1070 yds (DK weight) CC: 40m/44yds for all sizes (DK weight) Sample (size 1) is shown using 2 full skeins of Juniper Moon Farm Cirrus Rainbow (DK weight, 300m/328 yd per 100g skein) in Nautical Twilight and Juniper Moon Farm Cirrus (DK weight, 300m/328 yd per 100g skein) in Linen. A separate skein of the MC was used for the front and back panels. If using a gradient, ensure you have enough yarn to complete each panel. For larger sizes, it may be helpful to hold fingering weight double to ensure enough yardage. Some recommended options (all in fingering weight) include: Bilum Yarns Snek (365m/400yds per 100g), which is offered in 50-300g gradient cakes. Wonderland Yarns Blossom Mad Hatter (434m/474yds per 100g cake). Fiber Optic Yarns Unified Gradients (423m/470yds per 100g cake). Fiber Optic Yarns also offers separate skeins for terminal colors for further customization. **NEEDLES AND NOTIONS** **Hokusai Vest** This pattern uses 4.0mm (US 6) needles for the body and sleeves, and 3.75mm (US 5) needles for the hems. A tapestry needle is also needed for weaving in ends and seaming the underarms. **Hokusai Top** This pattern uses 3.5mm (US 4) needles for the body and sleeves, and 3.0mm (US 2.5) needles for the hems. A tapestry needle is also needed for weaving in ends and seaming the underarms.