Pinewave

Pinewave Colourwork Saddle-Shouldered Pullover by Faye Kennington

What is Being Made

Pinewave is an advanced-level knitted pullover sweater featuring a saddle shoulder construction and intricate colourwork design. Inspired by the Pacific Northwest, the sweater showcases delicate pine branch motifs paired with a bold crashing wave pattern. This seamed garment is available in seven sizes, ranging from 32 inches to 56 inches in finished bust measurement, with the sample pictured displaying a 40-inch bust worn with 4 inches of ease for comfortable fit.

Construction Technique

Pinewave is worked flat from the bottom up, meaning the knitter constructs the sweater in individual flat pieces rather than in the round. The garment consists of four separate components: two sleeves, a back panel, and a front panel. Once all pieces are completed to their full length, they are seamed together to create the finished pullover. This flat construction method allows for precise colourwork placement and easier management of the stranded knitting technique across the design.

Stitches and Colourwork

The primary technique employed in Pinewave is stranded colourwork knitting, also known as Fair Isle knitting. This method involves carrying multiple yarn colors across the row while knitting, creating patterns by switching between colors at specific points. The design features two contrast colors worked against a main color base, requiring careful tension management of the carried yarns, or "floats," to ensure even fabric and proper drape. The colourwork pattern incorporates both the delicate pine branch imagery and the strong wave design elements throughout the sweater body and sleeves.

Materials

Pinewave is designed to be knitted with Malabrigo Rios, a premium yarn composed of 100% Superwash Merino Wool. This yarn weight falls within the aran to worsted weight range, offering excellent stitch definition for displaying the colourwork pattern. Each skein provides 210 yards of yardage and weighs 100 grams. The yarn is available in superwash treatment, making the finished garment easy to care for. The color palette consists of three coordinated shades: Teal Feather serves as the main color, with Water Green and Natural as contrast colors. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 3 to 7 skeins of the main color, 2 to 3 skeins of the first contrast color, and 1 to 2 skeins of the second contrast color.

Tools and Needles

Construction of Pinewave requires US 8 (5mm) needles or the size necessary to achieve the specified gauge for proper fit and fabric characteristics. Additionally, US 7 (4.5mm) circular needles measuring 16 inches in circumference are recommended for managing and adjusting the tension of carried yarns throughout each round of colourwork, ensuring consistent float tension and preventing loose or tight sections in the finished fabric.

Difficulty Level

Pinewave is classified as an advanced knitting project, making it suitable for experienced knitters with solid foundational skills. The advanced difficulty reflects the complexity of managing stranded colourwork across multiple pieces, maintaining consistent tension with carried yarns, and executing the saddle shoulder shaping accurately. Knitters undertaking this project should be comfortable with reading colorwork charts, managing multiple yarn colors simultaneously, and assembling seamed garments.