Pina Colada

It's about time I had a Pina Colada, yes? This frothy, complex cable combination is the first thing I've knit that really seems to lean into the name properly, so here she is!

Cables are worked in panels on both front and back of the body. I love how the geometry of the slip-stitch honeycomb contrasts against the undulating lines of the medallion motif. Delicate lines in the side panels allow for visible shaping, accenting the silhouette of the body - and of course the cables dip into the deep hem. Sleeves are generous and long and feel luxurious to me! They feature the same honeycomb motif on top, with reverse stockinette panels underneath.

This knit may not be for the faint of heart, but if you love a good cable, this is the one for you! And I do love a good cable. So much that I Knit TWO Pina Coladas, mixing up my yarn choice and the silhouette on the second.

I designed Pina Colada to be a a sweater that would skim my curves. The knit begins with less ease at the waist and slowly increases in circumference towards the bust, never getting too loose, but having just enough positive ease to be comfortable. I envisioned this as a polished wardrobe staple to wear with all my high-waisted pants and skirts, so I chose De Rerum Gilliatt in Poivre Blanc for a classic, wear-everywhere fabric in a gorgeous natural heather. But once that was done, I kinda wanted another.

I decided to play with a looser fit the second time, so I could layer a button down beneath the sweater or half-tuck it casually into my jeans. I had just received a package of creamy DK wool/silk yarn in the mail, so I paired that with pale pink Mohair Silk from La Bien Aimee to create a soft drapey fabric in the palest peachy white shade - another classic color to go with everything. I began the hem with a little more ease along the side panels and worked the body just a bit longer than before. Small changes, but a very different fit due to both the new fabric and my mods.

On both versions, I worked my sleeves to be long and loose. There's just something special about these deeply textured, loose sleeves that I cannot get enough of. (Gabriella has long arms, so the sleeves on her are not that long!)

Anyways, voila! This design has OPTIONS.

With my own knitting experience in mind, Pina Colada allows you to either work as designed or easily tweak the silhouette for your needs. There are notes for working a straight body, a shaped body, or for tailoring the shaping to your own body. The panels along the sides make for easy modifications, and there are lots of notes within the pages on how and where you can alter the body, the neckline, or the sleeves as needed. The cables themselves are not difficult, but they are involved and require some attention. All cables are both charted and written, and there are notes and hints in both the chart and the notes to keep you on track.

Pina Colada is worked from the bottom up in the round, and split into front and back pieces at armholes. The upper body is worked flat in two pieces to shoulders and shaped along neckline and armhole. Once shoulders are seamed, stitches are picked up around openings and knit in the round for sleeves and collar.

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