Anni Sweater

**Sizes:** Womens XS, S, M (L, XL, 2XL) 3XL, 4XL, 5XL **Finished measurements after blocking:** **Where to measure cm inch** *A – Bust circumference* 130, 138.5, 148.5 (158.5, 170, 178.5) 188.5, 200, 205 cm incl 55, 53.5, 53.5 (53.5, 55, 53.5) 53.5, 55, 55 cm positive ease 51¼, 54½, 58½ (62¼, 67, 70¼) 74¼, 78¾, 80¾’’ incl 21¾, 21, 21 (21, 21¾, 21) 21, 21¾, 21¾’’ positive ease *B – Armhole depth* 28, 29.5, 29.5 (30.5, 31.5, 32) 32, 33, 33.5 cm incl 14, 14.5, 14 (14, 14.5, 14) 13.5, 13.5, 13.5 positive ease 11, 11½, 11¾ (12, 12¼, 12¾) 12¾, 13, 13¼’’ incl 5½, 5¾, 5½ (5½, 5¾, 5½) 5¼, 5¼, 5¼’’ positive ease *C – Sweater length from underarm* 26 cm 10¼’’ *D – Upper arm circumference* 5, 57.5, 60 (62.5, 65, 70) 72.5, 76, 78.5 cm incl 31, 31, 31 (31, 31, 32.5) 31, 31, 31.5 cm positive ease 21¾, 23, 23½ (24½, 25½, 27½) 28½, 30, 31’’ incl 12, 12, 12 (12, 12, 12½) 12, 11¾, 12’’ positive ease *E – Sleeve length from underarm* 38.5 cm 15’’ *F- Back neck width* 20.5, 21.5, 21.5 (22, 23, 24) 24, 24.5, 25.5 cm 8, 8¼, 8¼ (8¾, 9, 9¼) 9¼, 9¾, 10’’ *G - Front neck depth (without collar)* 9, 10, 10 (10.5, 10.5, 11) 11, 11.5, 11.5 cm 3½, 4, 4 (4¼, 4¼, 4¼) 4¼, 4½, 4½’’ **Choosing your size:** This pattern is designed with a lot of volume and generous positive ease throughout the body and upper sleeve. My test knit sample is size M, on a 95 cm bust, which gives 53.5 cm of positive ease. If you'd like a similarly relaxed, volume-forward fit, choose the size that gives you somewhere around 53.5–55 cm of positive ease over your own bust measurement. If you'd prefer a closer, less voluminous fit, you can size down and still get the shape of the sweater with a bit less ease. **Blocked gauge:** 24 sts and 36 rows = 10 cm [4"] in Half-brioche pattern with larger needles (or needle size to obtain gauge) **Yarn:** Lamana "Premia, three strands held together throughout, (300 m [328 yds] per 25 g [0.88 oz]), laceweight yarn (60% Mohair, 40% silk); 4580, 4840, 5160 (5430, 5770, 6220) 6450, 6820, 7080 m [5010, 5300, 5640 (5940, 6310, 6810) 7060, 7460, 7740 yd]; 17, 18, 19 (20, 21, 23) 24, 25, 26 balls. My sample is knit in size M with 2 strands of "silk grey 03" and 1 strand of "wool white 00". Holding the three strands together blends the two shades into a single soft, heathered colour, so this is a lovely place to play with your own combination. If you would like to work your sweater in two colours as I did, you will need: Colour A (held 2 strands): 3050, 3230, 3440 (3620, 3840, 4150) 4300, 4550, 4720 m [3340, 3530, 3760 (3960, 4200, 4540) 4700, 4980, 5160 yd]; 11, 12, 13 (14, 14, 15) 16, 17, 17 balls. Colour B (held 1 strand): 1530, 1610, 1720 (1810, 1920, 2070) 2150, 2270, 2360 m [1670, 1770, 1880 (1980, 2100, 2270) 2350, 2490, 2580 yd]; 6, 6, 7 (7, 7, 8) 8, 9, 9 balls. **Needles:** 3.25 mm/US 3 and 3.0 mm/US 2.5 circular needles with cable length to knit in large and small circumferences; please adjust needle size to gauge. **Notions:** Stitch markers, tapestry needle, waste yarn/stitch holders **Construction notes:** The Anni Sweater is a loose-fitting, oversized half-brioche sweater worked from the top down. Starting from the back, the piece is knit seamlessly: first working the back until the armholes, then both shoulders which are joined at the front neck, and finally the front and back are joined at the underarm. The lower body is gently tapered, bringing the hem comfortable close to the body. The sleeve stitches are picked up and shaped with short rows, and the sleeves feature a generous balloon volume, gently tapered towards the cuff. If you would rather not work short rows, an alternative sleeve is included: you pick up your stitches, join in the round and knit straight to the taper, which gives a slightly more dropped shoulder and the same sleeve length and cuff. Both hem and cuffs are finished with slim ribbing and invisible bind-off. The neck is finished with a squishy ribbed and folded neckband. The sweater is elegant in its form and half-brioche structure, yet utterly comfortable with its generous fit and featherlight Mohair yarn. **Inspiration:** This pattern is inspired by Anni Albers and her quote: *"Being creative is not so much the desire to do something as the listening to that which wants to be done: the dictation of the materials."*