Rugged Knits Pattern Highlight: Bright River
Bright River is one of those sweaters that can really easily be dressed up or down. I wore it with jeans over a Merino base layer last week, but I think it would be perfect with a skirt for a Christmas party. It's so incredibly soft and shimmery, and it's perfectly warm. I wanted a pullover that was elegant, but cozy, and I think this fits the bill perfectly.
CONSTRUCTION
- It's worked bottom-up seamlessly. The little sleeves are worked and then joined with the yoke for raglan shaping. After completing the yoke, stitches are picked up for that gorgeous, draping cowl.
- The cowl is shaped using progressively larger needle sizes.
- Waist shaping and an engaging Cartridge Belt Rib stitch pattern create a flattering fit.
FIT
- This sweater hugs curves and it's designed to be worn with zero-2 inches of negative ease. Pick a size that's smaller than what you'd usually go with.
YARN
The yarn I used is so glorious and I was so delighted to get to work with it. It's Fibre Co. Terra, a singles blend of wool, alpaca, and silk, and it has these gorgeous little silk nubs that are in different colours and add texture, beauty, and the sweetest glow to the fabric. This yarn is so unique that any substitution is likely to look really different, but it can, of course, be done.
TIPS FOR SUBSTITUTING
- Pick a worsted weight yarn with wool to help keep its shape, but including something shiny and slippery in there would be lovely too.
- I'd love to see this in something very different like Quince and Co. Owl, a tweedy alpaca/wool blend.
- As I'm sitting here wearing a lush sweater in Malabrigo Worsted, I have to recommend that one too. It's an extremely soft and squishy singles Merino that I think would be lovely.
MY FAVORITE DETAIL
The super soft cowl neck is really divine to wear.
GENERAL TIPS
I recommend choosing a yarn with at least some wool in it. The stitch pattern can be helpful in adding a little resilience, but the sweater is seamless, so it can use a little help from a bouncy fibre too.
Be sure to use the hashtags #RuggedKnits, #BrightRiverSweater, and #AndreaRangelKnits when you post pics of your Wrapup Hoodie projects!
PATTERN DETAILS
Finished Measurements
27.25 (31.25, 3525, 39.25, 42.5, 46.5)” (69 79.5, 89.5, 99.5, 108, 118) cm bust circumference and 25.75 (26.5, 27, 27.75, 28.75, 29.25)” (65.5 67.5, 68.5, 70.5, 73, 74.5 cm) long.
Shown in size 31.25” (79.5) cm.
Intended to be worn with 0–2” (0–5 cm) of negative ease.
Yarn
843 (939, 1113, 1250, 1442, 1617) yd (771 858, 1017, 1143, 1318, 1478 m) Aran weight (#4 medium).
Shown here: The Fibre Company Terra (40% baby alpaca, 40% merino wool, 20% silk; 98 yd 89 m/50 g): color Olive Leaf, 9 (10, 12, 13, 15, 17) skeins
Needles
Size U.S. 7 (4.5 mm) 16” and 24” (40 and 60 cm) circular (cir) and set of 4 or 5 double- pointed (dpn).
Size U.S. 8 (5 mm) 24” (60 cm) circular (cir).
Size U.S. 9 (5.5 mm) 24” (60 cm) circular (cir).
Adjust needle sizes if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions
Markers (m); stitch holders or waste yarn; tapestry needle.
Gauge
20 sts and 30 rnds = 4” (10 cm) over Cartridge Belt Rib using smallest needle.