largo v-neck

Largo V-neck is a thick, drapey sweater with cables and a ribbed texture. The sweater challenged my knitting needles for a long time, so I named it ‘largo’, which in Italian defines a broad and very slow piece of music. Largo sweater is the ideal project for calm, meditative knitting. The design includes a deep V-neck, balloon sleeves and a slightly cropped, boxy fit. Choose between two different kinds of sleeves, depending on your taste or temper. Both options are included. **CONSTRUCTION** Begin by casting on stitches for the neck and work the top part of the back. Then create the shoulders by casting on stitches using the backwards loop method. When the top part of the back is finished, pick up and work stitches for the shoulders while simultaneously making increases for the v-neck. Join the work and continue in the round. Pick up and work stitches for the neckband and finally for the sleeves. **LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY** Intermediate to advanced. **SIZES** 1 (2) 3 (4) 5 **Chest circumference of finished sweater approx.:** 112 (124) 138 (156) 166 cm / 44 (48.8) 54.3 (61.4) 65.4" **Length from neck to hem (without neck ribbing) approx.:** 47 (50) 52 (52) 54 cm / 18.5 (19.7) 20.5 (20.5) 21.3" Sleeve length: 43 (44) 45 (46) 45 cm / 17 (17.3) 17.7 (18.1) 17.7" **Size guide:** Largo cardi is shown in a size 2, giving me a positive ease of 45 cm / 17.7". Measure yourself across your chest to decide on your preferred ease. I suggest a maximum of 50 cm /19.7" and a minimum of 15 cm / 5.9". **YARN AND GAUGE** Two strands are held together throughout. 1 strand Donegal Woolen Spun shown in col. 0080 held with 1 strand Mohair 21 shown in col. 0090, both from Lang Yarns. **Estimated yarn quantity:** 10 (10) 11 (12) 13 balls Donegal Woolen Spun (105 m / 50 g, 100% Virgin wool, mulesing free) 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 balls Mohair 21 (375 m / 25 g, 58% mohair / 42 % silk) **Yarn alternatives** A good yarn alternative would be either of the two yarn combinations below from Filcolana and Isager Yarn respectively: **Filcolana, 2 strands held together:** 11 (12) 13 (14) 15 balls / 550 (600) 650 (700) 750 g Peruvian Highland Wool (100 % wool, 100 m / 50 g) held with 5 (6) 6 (7) 8 balls / 125 (150) 150 (175) 200 g Tilia (70% kid mohair & 30% silk, 210 m / 25 g) **Isager Yarn, 3 strands held together:** 4 (5) 6 (7) 7 balls / 200 (250) 300 (350) 350 g Tvinni (100 % wool, 255 m / 50 g) held with 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 balls / 200 (200) 250 (250) 300 g Spinni (100% wool, 300 m / 50 g) held with 5 (5) 6 (7) 8 ngl / 125 (125) 150 (175) 200 g Silk mohair (75% mohair & 25% silk, 212 m / 25 g) **Gauge:** Rib pattern after washing and blocking: 17 sts x 21 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4" on a 5 mm / US 8 needle. Cable pattern after washing and blocking: 21 sts x 25 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4" on a 5 mm / US 8 needle. **For your swatch in rib pattern:** Cast on 27 sts using the long-tail cast-on method, and work from the WS: k1 (edge st), k1, *p2, k1*, repeat *-*, ending with k1, work from the RS: k1 (edge st), p1, *k2, p1*, repeat *-*, ending with k1 (edge st). Continue working the sts as shown until your swatch measures approx. 11-12 cm / 4.3-4.7". Bind off in pattern, wash the swatch and block it if necessary, and measure when dry. **Suggested needles** 5 mm / US 8 cable needle (40 – 80 cm / 16 – 32") 4 mm / US 6 cable needle (80 cm / 32") 3.5 mm / US 4 cable needle (80 cm / 32" for magic loop)