Pattern Release: Alta

Well, the groundhog is fired, as far as I’m concerned. But at least I have several more weeks to wear my new favorite sweater! Please allow me to present: Alta.

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Sizes: Ten sizes; intended to be worn with 1-2’’/2.5-5cm ease in the upper torso. Shown in size 38½/98cm.

Final Measurements:
Bust measures: 30½ (32, 34, 36½, 38½, 40, 42, 46½, 50, 54½)”/77.5 (81.5, 86.5, 92.5, 98, 101.5, 106.5, 118, 127, 138.5) cm
Length from hem to shoulder: 21½ (22¼, 22¾, 23¼, 24, 24½, 25, 25¾, 26½, 27)”/54.5 (56.5, 58, 59, 61, 62, 63.5, 65.5, 67.5, 68.5) cm

Featured Materials:
Spirit Trail Fiberworks Birte [75% merino; 15% cashmere; 10% silk]: 275 yds/251 m per 113 g hank, shown in color Graphite: 5 (5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8) hanks or 1112 (1202, 1269, 1393, 1501, 1577, 1671, 1821, 1993, 2198) yds / 1015 (1097, 1158, 1271, 1370, 1440, 1525, 1663, 1819, 2006) m.

Gauge: 22 sts & 30 rows = 4”/10 cm in stockinette stitch on smallest needles, blocked. Recommended needle size of US 6/4 mm.

Pattern Notes: All photographs copyright Jonathan Herzog 2013 and used with permission. Technical editing by Elizabeth Sullivan.

Alta is what happened when I tried to imagine an updated version of the old-school ski sweater, done in a way that flatters the figure. It has a few modern updates, but will still keep you toasty warm all winter. The luscious wool-silk blend in a large, modern turtleneck positively cuddles your neck. The longer sleeves do the same for your wrists. The cables are intricate enough to be interesting but aren’t fussy, lending a classic look to this longer sweater. Vertical waist shaping darts keep everything supremely flattering. The combination of lace and cablework gives the sweater a somewhat delicate feel.

And of course, the yarn can’t be beat. Spirit Trail Fiberworks Birte is a glorious blend of wool and silk that lends just the right drape, color depth, and sheen to this classic sweater. Should you desire to substitute yarn, please choose a yarn that produces a slightly springy, drapey fabric at gauge.

Alta is constructed in pieces from the bottom up, with set-in sleeves. The neckline is picked up and worked after seaming.

Vertical darts enable easy customization to fit your needs. Should you desire less waist shaping than specified, either omit the shaping rows entirely, or omit/reduce only the shaping on the front of the sweater. Bustier women can work more increases on the front of the sweater, and not in the back. Extra stitches should be decreased into the neckline.

As with all patterns, compare the schematic against your own measurements and make alterations as necessary.

Alta may be purchased from from my ravelry pattern store for US$7.00 or by clicking here: buy now

Thanks for your support!

(By the way. Interested in the Craftsy logo I posted about a couple of days ago? I’ll do a longer, more thorough blog post later, but for those of you who can’t wait? Here it is!)

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6 thoughts on “Pattern Release: Alta

  1. Yessss! I love this sweater! Fabulous work!

  2. Beautiful sweater Amy! Looks sooo wearable!

  3. This is beautiful! You are good. This just became my new favorite until I saw it was knitted in pieces. . . Very scary. I try to avoid purling as much as possible.

  4. Oh my gosh, your new design is beautiful and I can imagine how much fun it is to knit! Congratuations on another gorgeous design.

  5. Amy I love it! This has shot to the top of my list of potential Rhinebeck 2013 sweaters. Congrats on the release!

  6. Gorgeous — you and the sweater!

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