Tar

Tar Raglan Sweater by Melanie Berg

What Is Being Made

Tar is a relaxed-yet-sexy raglan sweater designed by independent designer Melanie Berg. This garment is a modern take on the classic tee, featuring a comfortable silhouette that works equally well for layering or wearing as a standalone piece. The sweater is characterized by its stylish boat neck, three-quarter length sleeves, and subtle waist shaping that creates a flattering, feminine fit. The design is versatile enough to dress up or down depending on styling choices and occasion.

Construction Method

Tar is knit seamlessly in the round from the top down, a construction technique that minimizes seaming and creates a smooth, continuous fabric. This top-down raglan approach allows for easy customization of length and fit during the knitting process. The sweater progresses from the neckline downward, with increases worked at the raglan lines to shape the sleeves and body simultaneously.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level pattern employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its polished finish:

• Ribbing: The boat neck, waist, and cuffs are all finished with ribbing, which provides elasticity and a refined edge to the garment
• Waist Shaping: Strategic decreases and increases create subtle waist definition without compromising comfort
• Raglan Increases: The pattern uses M1L (make one left-leaning increase) and M1R (make one right-leaning increase) techniques to shape the raglan lines, creating the distinctive diagonal seams that run from the armhole to the neckline
• Decreases: K2tog (knit two stitches together) creates right-leaning decreases where needed for shaping
• Seamless Construction: Knitting in the round eliminates the need for seaming, resulting in a professional, polished garment

Yarn and Materials

Tar is designed to be knit in Shibui Knits Heichi, a luxurious yarn composed of 100% silk with a rustic tweed texture. This fiber choice creates a fabric with beautiful drape and a subtle sheen, elevating the sweater's appearance and feel. The yarn is worked at a worsted weight, requiring 8 to 13 skeins depending on size, with yardage ranging from 784 to 1,275 yards (717 to 1,166 meters). The silk content ensures the finished garment will have a sophisticated, refined quality suitable for both casual and dressier occasions.

Difficulty Level

Tar is rated as an intermediate knitting project, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who are comfortable working with techniques such as seamless construction, raglan shaping, and various increase and decrease methods. The top-down raglan construction provides built-in flexibility for fitting adjustments during the knitting process.