Salted

Salted Sweater by Alicia Plummer

What is Being Made

Salted is a knitted pullover sweater designed by Alicia Plummer. This intermediate-level garment features a fitted silhouette with a distinctive punchwork lace pattern detail. The sweater is available in six sizes, ranging from a 36-inch bust circumference to a 54-inch bust circumference, making it suitable for a variety of body types and fit preferences.

Construction Technique

The Salted sweater employs a bottom-up construction method, beginning with the ribbed lower body and working upward toward the shoulders. The garment is split at the bust level, transitioning from circular knitting to flat knitting for the upper portion. This construction approach allows for precise shaping and customization of the upper body fit.

Short row shaping is strategically used along the shoulder edges to create a tailored fit and proper shoulder definition. After completing the main body sections, sleeves are picked up from the armholes and knit separately, a technique that ensures seamless integration with the body of the sweater.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout the Salted sweater is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric surface. The most distinctive design element is the punchwork lace pattern, which appears as a repeating motif across the garment.

The punchwork lace is executed using a three-row repeat pattern:

• Row 1: Knit one, yarn over, knit two together, repeated to the end of the row
• Row 2: Purl one, knit one, purl one, repeated to the end of the row
• Row 3: Knit one, knit two together, yarn over, repeated to the end of the row

This lace pattern creates small eyelet holes that form a decorative, textured appearance while maintaining the structural integrity of the knitted fabric. The combination of yarn overs and decreases (knit two together) produces the characteristic openwork design typical of punchwork lace techniques.

Materials and Gauge

The Salted sweater is designed to be knitted with Lioness Arts MCN DK yarn in the colorway Artemis. DK weight yarn is a medium-weight option that works well for garments requiring drape and definition. Yardage requirements vary by size: the smallest size requires 900 yards, while the largest size requires 1,848 yards.

Two needle sizes are used in this pattern. The primary needles are US size 7/4.5 mm circular needles and double-pointed needles in a 32-inch length, used for the main body and sleeve sections. US size 6/4.0 mm circular needles and double-pointed needles are used for ribbed edgings, creating a tighter, more elastic fabric at cuffs and hem.

The gauge for this pattern is 20 stitches and 28 rows over a 4-inch (10 cm) square in stockinette stitch when worked on US size 7/4.5 mm needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished dimensions specified in the pattern.

Additional tools required include a darning needle for weaving in yarn ends and four place markers to track pattern repeats and shaping points throughout construction.

Finished Dimensions

The Salted sweater is offered in six sizes with the following bust circumferences: 36 inches, 37.5 inches, 41.6 inches, 45.5 inches, 50 inches, and 54 inches (91, 95.5, 105.5, 116, 126, and 138 centimeters respectively). These measurements indicate a range of fit options from close-fitting to generously proportioned sizes.