Homa

Homa Sweater by Kristen TenDyke

What is Being Made

Homa is a knitted sweater designed by Kristen TenDyke and published by Caterpillar Knits. This is a pullover-style garment available in seven sizes, with finished bust circumferences ranging from 31½ inches (80 cm) to 52½ inches (133.5 cm), making it suitable for a wide range of body types. The sweater is an intermediate-level knitting project, appropriate for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with more complex stitch patterns and shaping techniques.

Yarn and Materials

The Homa sweater is knitted using Berroco's Remix yarn, a blend fiber containing 30% nylon, 27% cotton, 24% acrylic, 10% silk, and 9% linen. This diverse fiber composition creates a durable, breathable fabric suitable for year-round wear. Each 100-gram ball yields approximately 216 yards (198 meters). The pattern requires 3 to 5 balls depending on the size selected, with the sample shown in Berroco Remix color #3922 Buttercup. The yarn weight is classified as aran or worsted weight, providing good stitch definition and relatively quick project completion compared to lighter yarn weights.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Homa sweater employs standard knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate crafters. The pattern uses fundamental stitches including knit and purl stitches as the foundation for the fabric construction. Several specialized decreasing techniques are incorporated to shape the garment:

• SSK (slip, slip, knit)—a left-leaning decrease created by slipping two stitches individually knitwise to the right needle, returning them to the left needle in turned position, and knitting them together through the back loops
• S2KP (slip 2 stitches together, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over)—a centered double decrease that creates a more refined shaping line
• Through the back loop (tbl)—a technique that twists stitches for textural variation or to prevent gaps in shaping

The pattern uses stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the construction. The sweater is likely worked in the round or with strategic seaming, as indicated by references to right side (RS) and wrong side (WS) orientation in the abbreviation key.

Pattern Structure and Design Details

The Homa features a comprehensive size range with seven finished measurements, allowing for customization of fit. The pattern includes detailed abbreviations and instructions for executing all necessary techniques, making it accessible to intermediate knitters. The design emphasizes sustainability, as evidenced by Caterpillar Knits' earth-friendly publishing practices and recommendation to use recycled paper for printing only when necessary.