Rhombus Sweater

Rhombus Sweater by SuviKnits

What is Being Made

The Rhombus Sweater is a slightly cropped, raglan-sleeved sweater designed by Suvi Simola and published by SuviKnits. This knitted garment features a simple lace pattern on the front and is available in eight sizes ranging from XS to 4XL, making it suitable for a wide range of body types.

Construction Method

This sweater is worked from the top down using a strategic construction approach. The pattern begins with neckline shaping, which is worked back and forth in rows to establish the proper fit around the neck opening. Once the initial neckline shaping is complete, the fronts are joined together and the rest of the upper body is worked in the round, which creates seamless fabric and improves efficiency during knitting.

The raglan increases are worked throughout the upper body section, creating the characteristic diagonal lines that define a raglan sleeve. After the raglan shaping is completed, the sleeve stitches are placed on hold while the body continues to be worked in the round toward the hem. Once the body reaches the desired length, the sleeve stitches are returned to needles and each sleeve is worked in the round toward the cuffs. Finally, stitches for the neck ribbing are picked up around the neckline and worked in the round. The ribbing is then folded in half and stitched down to the inside of the sweater for a finished appearance.

Stitches and Techniques

• Raglan increases: Used to shape the sleeves and upper body in a top-down construction
• Lace pattern: A simple lace design featured on the front of the sweater
• Ribbing: Applied at the neckline and cuffs for elasticity and a polished finish
• Top-down construction: Allows for easy fitting adjustments and eliminates the need for seaming
• Circular knitting: Used for the majority of the garment to create seamless fabric
• Flat knitting: Used for the initial neckline shaping worked back and forth in rows

Materials and Yarn

The Rhombus Sweater is designed to be worked in Sportweight yarn held double, which creates a fabric with excellent drape and structure suitable for a fitted sweater. The pattern provides flexibility for knitters, as it includes required yarn amounts for working the sweater in single-thread Aran weight yarn as an alternative option. This versatility allows crafters to choose between the recommended sportweight held double or to substitute with a single strand of Aran weight yarn based on their yarn stash and preferences.

The pattern requires circular needles for working in the round and straight needles or double-pointed needles for the flat sections, along with a stitch holder for managing the sleeve stitches during construction.

Difficulty Level

The Rhombus Sweater is rated as an advanced knitting project. This difficulty level reflects the combination of top-down raglan construction, lace pattern work on the front, and the need to manage multiple sections of the sweater simultaneously. Knitters should be comfortable with techniques such as working in the round, managing increases, reading lace charts, and picking up stitches before beginning this project.