Trowbridge

Trowbridge Knitted Sweater by Alicia Plummer

What is Being Made

The Trowbridge is a knitted sweater designed by Alicia Plummer for Colour Adventures. This intermediate-level pullover sweater features a classic raglan construction with a fitted silhouette. The garment is available in four sizes ranging from 32 inches to 45 inches finished bust measurement, making it suitable for a variety of body types. The sweater incorporates button panel details on the sleeves and a collar that is picked up and knit after the main body is complete.

Construction Techniques

The Trowbridge sweater employs a hybrid knitting construction method that combines flat and circular knitting techniques. The sweater begins with flat knitting, then transitions to working in the round once the pieces are joined. This mixed approach allows for precise shaping in the early stages while enabling efficient circular knitting for the body sections. The raglan shaping is achieved through strategic increases worked on either side of marked stitches, creating the characteristic diagonal lines that define raglan sleeves. Button panels on the sleeves are knit as separate components and then seamed to the main garment, adding both functional and decorative elements to the design.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used throughout the Trowbridge is Stockinette Stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric surface. The pattern incorporates raglan increases using make-one stitches (abbreviated as m1R and m1L) to shape the sleeve cap and body seamlessly. These increases are strategically placed on either side of stitch markers to create the distinctive raglan lines. The collar stitches are picked up from the finished neckline and knit, then seamed for a polished finish. The construction also includes basic knit stitches and marker placement techniques to track shaping points throughout the garment.

Yarn and Materials

The Trowbridge is designed to be knitted with BFL DK Superwash yarn by Colour Adventures, which is a fingering to light worsted weight yarn. Each 100-gram skein contains 246 yards of yardage. The total yarn requirements vary by size: the smallest size (32 inches) requires 1000 yards, the medium size (36 inches) needs 1200 yards, the larger size (39 inches) calls for 1400 yards, and the largest size (45 inches) requires 1700 yards. The superwash treatment makes this yarn ideal for easy care and durability.

Needles and Notions

This pattern requires two different needle sizes to achieve proper gauge and construction. US size 8 (5.0 mm) circular needles are used for the main body knitting, while US size 6 (4.0 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) are used for smaller circumference sections such as the collar or cuff areas. The gauge is 18 stitches and 24 rows per 4-inch (10 centimeter) square when measured in Stockinette Stitch. Additional notions required include 4 stitch markers to track raglan increases and shaping points, a darning needle for weaving in yarn ends, and 6 buttons for the functional sleeve panels.

Difficulty Level

The Trowbridge is rated as an intermediate knitting project, making it suitable for knitters with some prior experience. While the sweater uses fundamental stitches and techniques, the combination of flat and circular knitting, raglan shaping with increases, and the assembly of multiple components requires solid foundational skills and attention to pattern details.