Beats and Bones

Beats and Bones Knitted Sweater by Gege à la Gomme

Garment Overview

Beats and Bones is a round yoke sweater designed by independent designer Gege à la Gomme. This intermediate-level knitting project features a sophisticated construction method worked seamlessly from the top down. The sweater showcases a relaxed, slightly oversized fit with three to five inches of positive ease built into the pattern, making it suitable for layering and comfortable everyday wear.

Design Features and Colorwork

The sweater is distinguished by striking geometric motifs executed in stranded colorwork technique. The design is divided into two distinct colorwork sections: one positioned at the neckline and another at the shoulders. These two colorwork sections are strategically separated by a set of short rows, which are incorporated to ensure optimal fit across the yoke. The neckline motif is repeated at the wrists, creating visual continuity throughout the garment. Although the pattern showcases three colors total, each individual colorwork round uses only two colors, making the stranded colorwork technique more manageable for intermediate knitters.

Construction Techniques

This sweater employs several advanced knitting techniques suitable for intermediate crafters:

• Top-down seamless construction: The sweater is worked from the neckline downward in the round, eliminating the need for seaming
• Round yoke shaping: The yoke is shaped using decreases to create a fitted shoulder area
• Stranded colorwork: Two colors are carried across each round to create geometric patterns
• Short rows: Strategic short row shaping separates the two colorwork sections for improved fit

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is designed for 4-ply fingering weight yarn, which creates a lightweight, drapey fabric suitable for a versatile sweater. The sample shown uses two different yarn bases:

• Julie Asselin Leizu Fingering: 420 yards (384 meters) per 115 grams, composed of 90% merino and 10% silk, providing softness and subtle sheen
• Colorista Basique Sock: 425 yards (389 meters) per 115 grams, composed of 80% merino and 20% nylon/polyamide, offering durability and elasticity

The sample is shown knitted in Blue for the main color and Blue Grey for the contrasting color. A tapestry needle is required for weaving in ends and finishing.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, Beats and Bones is appropriate for knitters with experience in basic shaping, colorwork techniques, and seamless garment construction. Familiarity with stranded colorwork and short row shaping is beneficial for successfully completing this project.