The Colorado scenery is wildly inspiring, especially the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, in which is a craggy, beautiful peak named Crestolita. Colors abound in this particular area of peaks and valleys. The two colors used in this sample speak to that vibrancy in the full flush of summer.
The stripes in this raglan design are of varying widths, keeping the stockinette engaging and interesting. This go-to sweater is worked from the bottom up, and features waist shaping along with the versatile striping. While the sweater shown here is a 2-color version, the design lends itself well to multiple colors, and it would make an excellent stash busting experience!
Yarn
The Plucky Knitter Trusty (100% Merino; 250 yards [229 meters]/115 grams): Fondant (MC), 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) balls; Pollen (CC), 2 (2, 3, 4, 4) balls
Note: Fondant is retired; Breakfast on 5this the recommended substitute.
Needles
Size US 5 (3.75 mm): 32-40″ (81-102cm) circular and dpns
Size US 6 (4 mm): 32-40″ (81-102cm) circular and dpns
Notions
5 stitch markers, waste yarn to hold stitches, tapestry needle
Gauge
18 sts and 26 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking.
Size
Finished Bust Size: 32 (36.5, 40, 44.5, 48)” [81 (93, 101.5, 113, 122) cm]
No ease to 1-2” (1.5-2cm) negative ease recommended.
Shown in size 36.5”
Abbreviations
See our standard abbreviations.
Tutorials
Pattern Notes
Crestolita is worked in the round from the bottom up to the sleeve join, then worked back and forth for neckline shaping. Smaller needles are used for garter stitch edging.
It might be helpful to print out or otherwise keep the Color Chart (Appendix) handy so you can keep track of your stripes, especially if you choose to add more colors beyond the 2-color version here (which is highly encouraged!).
Non-working yarn may be carried up or cut between uses.
Also keep in mind that the body length and sleeve length likely will differ, based on your particular sizing need – and that’s ok! When joining the body and the sleeves, make sure to start with the color you left off with on the body, regardless of where you finished with the stripes on the sleeves.
Sweater Instructions
Using smaller circular needle and MC, CO 144 (164, 180, 200, 216) sts. Place BOR marker, and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.
Rnd 1: P72, (82, 90, 99, 108), pm, p to end.
Rnd 2: K.
Rep Rnds [1 & 2] twice more, then work Rnd 1 once more (7 rounds worked).
Switch to larger needle. Knit 1 Rnd (8 MC rnds).
Beginning with first CC section, refer to the color chart in Appendix for all color changes from this point on.
Work even in St st for 4 (4, 4.5, 4.5, 5)” [10.2 (10.2, 11.4, 11.4, 12.7) cm].
Waist Decreases
Dec Rnd: *K1, k2tog, work to 3 sts before m, ssk, k1, sm; rep from * once more; 4 sts dec.
Work 7 rounds even.
Rep last 8 rnds 3 more times; 12 sts dec; 128 (148, 164, 184, 200) sts rem.
Work 9 rnds even.
Waist Increases and neck split
K32 (37, 41, 46, 50), pm for new BOR at center front.
Rnd 1 (inc): *K to 1 st before m, m1R, k1, sm, k1, miL; rep from * once more, k to end; 4 sts inc.
Work 7 rnds even.
Rep Rnds [1-8] 3 more times.
At the same time:
After the 2nd Rnd 1 increase is worked, begin working flat to start the neckline on the following Rnd 3.
Row 1 (RS): K1, k2tog, work to 3 sts bef end, ssk, k1; 2 sts dec.
Row 2 (WS): P.
Rep Rows [1&2] 4 more times while also continuing to work inc reps; 134 (154, 170, 190, 206) sts.
Work as established until work measures approx. 17 (17, 17.5, 17.5, 18)” sts [43.2 (43.2, 44.5, 44.5, 45.7) cm], or to desired length.
Next Rnd: Work to 6 (6, 7, 7, 8) sts before m, BO 12 (12, 14, 14, 16), rm, work to 6 (6, 7, 7, 8) sts from end, BO 12 (12, 14, 14, 16), work to end; 110 (130, 142, 162, 174) sts.
Set aside body and work 2 sleeves.
Sleeves (make 2)
Using smaller dpns and MC, CO 40 (40, 44, 44, 48) sts. Place BOR marker, and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.
Rnd 1: P.
Rnd 2: K.
Rep Rnds [1 & 2] twice more, then work Rnd 1 once more (7 rounds worked).
Switch to larger needle. Knit 1 Rnd (8 MC rnds).
Beginning with first CC section, refer to the color chart in Appendix for all color changes from this point on.
Work even in St st for approx. 4.5” or 11.4cm.
Inc Rnd: K1, m1L, work to 1 st before BOR marker, m1R, k1; 2 sts inc.
Repeat Inc Rndevery 14th(10th, 6th, 4th, 3rd) rnd 3 (4, 7, 12, 15) more times; 48 (50, 60, 70, 80) sts.
Work until sleeves measure approx. 18” [45.7cm], or desired length.
Note: your sleeves might end on a different part of the color stripe sequence than the body, and that is ok! The sweater modeled shows sleeves which are longer than the body, and thus end on a different part of the color sequence. When joining the sleeves and body, make sure to pick up on the color sequence where you left off in the body.
Next Rnd: Work to 6 (6, 7, 7, 8) sts before BOR marker, BO 12 (12, 14, 14, 16) (removing BOR marker); 36 (38, 46, 56, 64) sts.
Join Sleeves to Body
Using larger circular needle, join yarn at left front.
Setup Row 1 (RS): K right front sts, k 1st sleeve sts, k back sts, k 2nd sleeve sts, k to end; 182 (206, 234, 274, 302) sts.
Setup Row 2: P.
Row 1 (RS): *K to 3 sts bef m, ssk, k1, sm, k1, k2tog, rep from * 3 times, k to end; 8 sts dec.
Row 2 (WS): P.
Work Rows [1 & 2] 11 (13, 15, 17, 19) more times; 86 (94, 106, 130, 142) sts rem.
Work even until piece measures approx. 7 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9)” [17.8 (19.1, 20.3, 21.6, 22.9) cm] from underarm.
Neck Short Rows
Row 1 (RS): K to 10 sts before back left sleeve m, w&t.
Row 2 (WS): P to 10 sts before back right sleeve m, w&t.
Row 3 (RS): K to 5 sts before left sleeve m (picking up and working prev RS wrap), w&t.
Row 4 (WS): P to 5 sts before right sleeve m (picking up and working prev WS wrap), w&t.
Row 5 (RS): K to end, picking up the remaining RS wrap.
Row 6 (WS): P, picking up the remaining WS wrap.
BO all sts loosely in pattern.
Collar Edging
Using MC and smaller circular needles, and starting on the RS at top-right front edge of the neck, pu&k 1 st in every BO st along neckline and the v-neck in front; pm in the bottom of the V in front.
Rnd 1 (RS): P around; ptbl along sides of V neck.
Rnd 2 (dec): K to 3 sts before center V m, sssk, sm, k3tog, k to end.
Rep Rnds [1 & 2] twice more.
BO loosely in pattern.
Finishing
Seam underarms. Weave in all edges, and wet block gently.
Appendix: Color Chart
Work color sequence as follows; rep as needed.
| Color | # Rnds/Rows | Color | # Rnds/Rows |
| MC | 8 | CC | 6 |
| CC | 5 | MC | 1 |
| MC | 3 | CC | 8 |
| CC | 6 | MC | 6 |
| MC | 4 | CC | 4 |
| CC | 2 | MC | 3 |
| MC | 5 | CC | 7 |
| CC | 4 | MC | 4 |
| MC | 3 | CC | 3 |
| CC | 1 | MC | 6 |
| MC | 8 | CC | 4 |
About the Designer: Jess Gagnon
About the Designer: Jess GagnonI knit (and subsequently design) for fun, in my purposely-ample spare time. In my real life, I work as school librarian. My passion is connecting students with information-seeking skills in today’s tech-connected world.
When I design knits, it’s the result of a desire for a Very Particular garment. Meaning, the sweater in this issue was one that I was itching to make! When I’m not knitting or working, I’m off the grid hiking/biking/snowshoeing/running; I love to be outdoors in Colorado when I can. See me as jessgagnonknits on Ravelry!
Love this sweater pattern!
Thanks!
The stripes are really pretty 🙂