Sun Ray Ribbing

Sun Ray Ribbing Sweater by Susan Crawford Vintage

What is Being Made

The Sun Ray Ribbing is a knitted sweater designed by Susan Crawford Vintage, crafted from 100% British wool. This intermediate-level garment features a distinctive visual design element where vertically diminishing ribbing creates a sun-ray effect that draws inward across the body. The raglan shaping contributes to a well-fitted neckline while the rib pattern continues throughout, with fiery tips of rays encircling the collar bone to draw the eye upward.

Construction Method

This sweater is worked in separate pieces, which are knitted from the bottom up. The construction uses a combination of flat knitting for the body pieces and circular knitting for the collar area. The raglan shaping is integrated into the design to create both structural fit and visual continuity with the sun-ray ribbing pattern.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The primary stitch used throughout this design is ribbing, which forms the foundation of the sun-ray effect. The vertically diminishing ribbing technique is the key design feature, creating the inward-moving pattern that produces the distinctive sun-ray visual. Raglan shaping is incorporated to achieve both proper fit and aesthetic continuity. A circular needle is specifically used to create the decorative fiery tips of the rays that encircle the collar bone area.

Yarn and Needles

Yarn: Susan Crawford Excelana 4 Ply in the shade Siren. This is 100% British wool with 159 meters (174 yards) per 50-gram skein. The pattern requires 4, 4, 5, 6, or 6 skeins depending on size.

Needles: Two needle size options are provided. For smaller sizes, use 3mm (US 3) needles in both a pair for flat knitting and a circular needle measuring 80–100cm in length. For larger sizes, use 4mm (US 6) needles in a pair.

Gauge and Finishing

The correct gauge is 26 stitches and 32 rows over 10 centimeters (4 inches) when working the rib pattern knitted flat and after blocking. The 4mm needles were used to obtain this gauge in the pattern sample, though alternative needle sizes may be used if necessary to achieve the correct gauge.

Additional Notions

• Waste yarn or stitch holders for managing stitches during construction
• 2 buttons, each 1½ centimeters (½ inch) in diameter
• Sewing needle and thread for attaching buttons and finishing

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who are ready to work with more complex stitch patterns and shaping techniques.