Cranberry Gose
Cranberry Gose was inspired by a cheap Forever 21 sweater that yes, I own, and yes, I wear. (sorry!!)
I actually love the fit of that loose, totally plain, sleeveless acrylic turtleneck sweater - but it’s cheap and boring. I bought it for $5 at Goodwill because it looked like a good house sweater. However, it became my go-to, and then I stared fantasizing about creating my own version.
And then I was standing in the Green Mountain Spinnery booth at NH Sheep and Wool last year, fondling the yarn and talking to Kate and Maureen, who are amazing enablers in situations like this.
So, Cranberry Gose is my new and improved tunic, knit in GMS’s delicate, tweedy Alpaca Elegance. I used the dimensions of the original sweater, but added a little gansey detail, a few options for the neckline, a split hem, and most importantly - this gorgeous, tweedy yarn, with just the right amount of interest, softness, and drape.
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Yarn: Green Mountain Spinnery Alpaca Elegance (50% New England Alpaca, 50% fine wool; 180 yds/165m per 50g skein). Sample shown in Rosehip.
If substituting yarn, I suggest working a swatch in both the gansey pattern and stockinette to be sure you are getting gauge, like the feel of your fabric and also to check that the gansey triangles will be visible. A solid or tweed DK wool in a light, lofty fiber will provide a similar drape and feel. The wool and alpaca content in this yarn allows for a nice drape without being too heavy. I do not suggest any yarns with pronounced texture or variegation as they will compete with the gansey detail. You could, however leave the detail off and knit a stockinette version of this design in a busier yarn quite easily.
Gauge: 22sts/28rows per 4”/10cm in stockinette and k2, p2 ribbing.
Needles: US#6/4mm
Sizes:
44.25(47.25,50.25,53,56,61.75)”
112.5(120,127.75,134,142.25, 156.75)cm
For fit shown, I suggest between 10-12”/25.5-30.5cm of positive ease.
Yardage:
1300(1450,1550,1700,1900,2100)yds
1190(1330,1420,1550,1740,1970)m