Askia

Askia Sweater by Bérangère Cailliau

What is Being Made

Askia is an intermediate-level knitted sweater designed by independent designer Bérangère Cailliau. This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for creating a classic pullover sweater available in six sizes ranging from extra-small (XS) through extra-large (XXL), with detailed measurements provided within the pattern documentation.

Yarn and Materials

The Askia sweater is designed to be worked in worsted-weight yarn. The pattern recommends Askia L'échappée Laine, Shetland yarn, which features a yardage of 100 meters per 50-gram skein. Depending on the selected size, crafters will need between 6 and 13 skeins, totaling 600 to 1,300 meters of yarn. The pattern is adaptable to any worsted-weight yarn that matches the required gauge.

Essential tools include 4.5mm (US7) and 4mm (US6) circular needles or the appropriate needle size needed to achieve correct gauge. Additional supplies required are 5 stitch markers, waste yarn for provisional cast-on or stitch holding, a cable needle for cable work, and a tapestry needle for finishing and weaving in ends.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 18 stitches by 28 rounds measuring 10 by 10 centimeters in stockinette stitch using the 4.5mm needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements. The sweater is available in six sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL, with complete measurement specifications detailed on page 7 of the pattern.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Askia sweater utilizes fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques appropriate for crafters with some experience. The pattern employs the following core stitches and techniques:

• Stockinette stitch (st st) — the primary stitch used throughout the sweater, created by alternating knit and purl rows or rounds
• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches — basic building blocks of the design
• Cable work — indicated by the inclusion of a cable needle in the required materials, suggesting decorative or structural cable elements
• Increases — including kfb (knit front and back) for simple increases, and M1R and M1RP (make one right and make one right purl) techniques for invisible increases created by picking up the thread between stitches
• Decreases — including k2tog (knit 2 stitches together) and p2tog (purl 2 stitches together) for shaping
• Circular knitting — the pattern is worked in the round using circular needles, as indicated by the gauge measurement in rounds and the use of stitch markers

The pattern includes detailed abbreviations and stitch guides to support knitters through the construction process. The use of markers and waste yarn suggests techniques for managing multiple sections and potentially picking up stitches during assembly or modification.

Pattern Structure

This intermediate-level pattern is suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to work with more complex shaping and cable elements. The downloadable PDF format provides convenient access to complete instructions, measurements, and stitch guides for creating a timeless worsted-weight sweater.