Ocean Mist
Ocean Mist is all about pairing interesting yarn with undulating cables and allowing the character of both things to really shine!
These gorgeous cables lean to and fro without actually crossing over each other, to form zig zag columns and diagonal lines in a unique pattern that was really fun to work. It's different from the usual cables I play with and I absolutely love how the motif feels here, worked in this round, soft yarn. It's both cozy and bold, yet still a little delicate due to the color.
I chose to lean into the coziness and designed Ocean Mist to be worn with positive ease, with generous sleeves and deep ribbings on the cuffs and hem.
The neckline is a wide crew neck, to which I've added a split, folded collar. This is a detail I don't see very often, but always love, and on this sweater it lies asymmetrically in a really eye-catching way. It really brings the design together for me, giving the whole sweater a modern and casual look that I think works really well with the fabric and the cables to underline that cozy, soft vibe I was going for.
The sweater is worked in the round, from hem to armholes and then is split into front and back pieces. These pieces are worked flat to shoulders and seamed. Once they are joined, sleeve stitches are picked up around armholes and worked in the round to cuffs, and then stitches are picked up around the neckline and worked flat to end for collar.
As always, there are details in the pattern that make any modifications for fit easy to add, and I've included notes in the PDF on where and how to alter this design for your own needs.
The cable pattern is both charted and written.
Scroll down for more details.
Yarn: Biches et Buches Le Coton & Alpaca (66% organic cotton, 34% superfine alpaca), 98yds/90m per 50g skein. Sample worked in Soft Green Grey.
I love this sweater in a round, lofty yarn with subtle color shifts, such at the Biches et Buches Coton & Alpaca. It has a lovely drape, shows up well in the cables, and knits up on larger needles into a light and airy fabric that's just lovely to wear. If substituting yarn, I suggest a light, round, and airy fiber that will knit to gauge and allow the cable pattern to remain visible. A chainette yarn with a soft, mixed blend of fibers would be similar to my yarn, and you can see some of the substitutes my testers used. A subtle speckle might also be beautiful here, a yarn with a slight halo, or a lightweight strand of linen or wool paired with a mohair or suri would also look beautiful. I do not suggest yarns with pronounced colors, texture or variegation that will hide the cables, and I am partial to how this looks in a pale shade. Note on photos: The first images here where I am standing on the sand and near the wooden pole of the palapa show the actual green shade of my yarn best. The sunset images are gorgeous, but the overall light is more orangey-pink and not as realistic.
Swatch generously and block all swatches using the same method you will use on your sweater.
Gauge: 16 sts/24 rows/rounds in cable pattern and in ribbing at hem and 15 sts/24 rounds in stockinette at sides, all on larger needle. 16 sts/24 rounds on medium needle in stockinette on sleeves, 18sts/24 rounds at cuff on smallest needle. Gauge is calculated per 4”/10cm and is based on final fabric.
Needles: UUS#9/5.5mm for body, US#8/5mm at collar, US#7/4.5mm on sleeve cuffs.
Sizes:
37.5(41,44.5,48.5,52)(56.5,61,65.5,68)”
95.25(104.25,113,123.25,132)(143.5,155,166.5,172.75)cm
For fit shown, I suggest 6”/15.25cm of positive ease.
Yardage:
850(950,1050,1200,1300)(1400,1500,1600,1700)yds
780(870,960,1100,1190)(1280,1370,1465,1555)m
Yardage estimates include 10-15% extra, and reflect my test knit results. Yardage may vary with modifications or substitute yarns.