I am very excited about this new pattern release, Stellara, it has been a long time in the making and I have been so very patient while I waited to share it with you all!
The entrelac yoke on Stellara sweater
Stellara is a sweater that features a dramatic entrelac yoke and coordinating stripes. The yoke is inspired by the colourful spiral galaxies in our Universe. I had an idea for an entrelac yoke that would look like rings on planets and galaxies after watching a few fantastic programmes about space. As a child I wanted to be an astronaut and loved the film Space Camp. I longed to go to a NASA space camp and accidentally end up launching into space!
The entrelac yoke combined with positive ease gives a slightly slouchy, comfortable fit. I included a slightly wider neckline with this pattern to go with the looser fit, which is flattering for large busted people. The pattern includes detailed instructions for working the entrelac stripes so no previous knowledge of entrelac is needed before knitting this sweater. It creates a lovely woven effect when finished. The sweater has coordinating stripes at the wrists and lower cuff to finish.
Entrelac looks surprisingly complicated but is very easy in reality. It involves picking up some stitches, knitting these back and forth in stocking stitch, and then moving onto the next stitches to pick up. I have also filmed this tutorial on knitting backwards so the work does not need to be turned every time between knit and purl rows on small numbers of stitches. It makes it much faster with much less switching back and forth. Knitting backwards is also useful for turning sock heels and short rows.
I knit this sweater in Ann Kingstone’s luxury Yorkshire Warmth DK/sport which is very soft with its cashmere/Bluefaced Leicester mix. The colours are perfect on the natural yarn background to create this striking yoke. I love her Yorkshire dialect names for the colours: ‘Attercop’ (spider - blue); ‘Cockleet’ (dawn - orange); ‘Druffen’ (drunk/inebriated - lime); ‘Liggin’’ (lying down - green); ‘Nowt’ (nothing - natural) and ‘Thrang’ (busy - cerise).
Stellara from the back
Both me and my sister had entrelac jumpers knitted by our Nan. It was my favourite and wish I still had the jumper (although it would not fit me now!). I think she used up all her odds and ends of yarns to make them. My sister found these photos of us wearing them yesterday. This jumper must have contributed to my inspiration for Stellara… although I decided to not make it quite so bright!
Me (aged 10) wearing the entrelac jumper my Nan knitted, and my Dad looking rather sad
Me (aged 10) and my sister (aged 7) wearing her entrelac jumper knitted by our Nan playing with our Lego
I love my new sweater so much and have had so many compliments when I am wearing it. One of the best things about knitting a sweater top-down is that you can try it on as you are making it, allowing it to be customised to your shape by adding or subtracting rows to create longer or shorter arms and body. This is going to be my go-to sweater for autumn!
Stellara sweater
Stellara has an introductory offer of 25% off this weekend (no code needed) to mark the Yarndale@Home festival. Sadly I will not be in Skipton this year with my stand at Yarndale, however the lovely organisers have put a whole host of events on for Yarndale@Home that are worth checking out. Hopefully we will be back in the auction mart next year! Stellara can be purchased both on Payhip and Ravelry.
Happy knitting,
Sarah x