Break the Pattern

Suvi Ala-Venna designed the Break the Pattern slipover to share her experience of what it’s like to live with a demanding mindset and obsessive thinking. Knitting can offer an opportunity to practice letting go and to make something by hand without the demand for perfection. The slipover is designed to be an effortless project, knitted at an unhurried pace while listening to your own process. SIZES 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9) **Recommended ease:** Approx. 10" / 25 cm of positive ease. FINISHED MEASUREMENTS **Chest Circumference:** 39.25 (43.25, 47.25, 51.25, 55) (59, 63, 67, 70.75)" / 100 (110, 120, 130, 140) (150, 160, 170, 180) cm. **Neck Circumference:** 19 (19.75, 19.75, 20.5, 20.5) (22, 22, 22.75, 23.5)" / 48 (50, 50, 52, 52) (56, 56, 58, 60) cm. **Yoke Length from Shoulder to Underarm:** 11 (11.5, 12.5, 12.75, 13.25) (13.5, 13.5, 14, 14)" / 28 (29.5, 31.5, 32.5, 33.5) (34, 34.5, 35.5, 35.5) cm. **Body Length from Underarm to Hem (adjustable):** 12.5 (12.5, 13.75, 13.5, 13.5) (13.5, 13, 12.5, 12.75)" / 31.5 (31.5, 35, 34.5, 34) (34, 33, 32, 32.5) cm. **Armhole Circumference:** 17.25 (18, 19.25, 20.25, 21.5) (21.75, 23.5, 24.5, 25)" / 44 (45.5, 49.5, 51.5, 54.5) (55.5, 59.5, 62.5, 63.5) cm. MATERIALS **Yarn:** 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) (6, 7, 7, 7) skeins of Laine x Novita DK by Novita (70% Falkland wool, 15% Bluefaced Leicester wool, 15% Bluefaced Kerry Hill wool, 246 yds / 225 m – 100 g), in the colourway 5291 Whispering Petal. Or approx. 855 (950, 1120, 1220, 1330) (1420, 1505, 1595, 1695) yds / 780 (870, 1025, 1115, 1205) (1300, 1375, 1460, 1550) m of DK-weight yarn. Alternative yarn suggestions are for example Tukuwool DK, Fiesta by Drops or Double Sunday by Sandnes Garn. **Needles:** US 3, 4 and 6 / 3, 3.5 and 4 mm 32–47" / 80–120 cm circular needles and shorter circular needles or DPNs (if not using the Magic Loop method). **Notions:** Cable needle, stitch markers, locking stitch markers, scrap yarn or a stitch holder. GAUGE 20 sts x 30 rnds and rows to 4" / 10 cm on US 6 / 4 mm needles in St St, after blocking. NOTES This textured vest is worked from the top down using the European shoulder construction. The work begins with shaping the back neck and shoulders, after which the back is worked flat down to the underarms. Stitches for the front pieces are picked up from back shoulders, and after neck shaping, front pieces are joined and the front is worked flat to the underarms. The front and back are joined and the body is worked in the round until the pieces are separated again for working the hem ribbing. Stitches for the armhole edges and neckband are picked up from the edges, and the ribbings are worked in the round.