Vita

Vita Knitted Sweater by Marie Wallin

What is Being Made

Vita is an advanced-level knitted sweater designed by Marie Wallin, featured in the Bloomsbury collection. This pullover sweater is available in five sizes ranging from Small (to fit bust 81-86 cm / 32-34 in) through XXL (to fit bust 122-127 cm / 48-50 in), making it suitable for a wide range of body measurements. The sweater features a fitted construction with precise shaping, offering back lengths from 52 cm (20½ in) in the smallest size to 68 cm (27 in) in the largest size.

Knitting Techniques Used

This design employs advanced knitting techniques appropriate for experienced crafters. The pattern incorporates cable work as a central design element, utilizing special cable abbreviations such as B3L (slip next 3 stitches purlwise onto right needle, work the 3rd stitch on the right needle over the first and 2nd stitches, then slip remaining 2 stitches back onto left needle). The sweater is constructed using charted pattern instructions, with the body worked from a detailed chart spanning 50 rows. The pattern requires working between two different needle sizes to achieve proper gauge and fabric structure, demonstrating intermediate to advanced shaping and construction methods.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Vita sweater utilizes a combination of fundamental and decorative stitches. The pattern is worked primarily in stockinette stitch as the base fabric, with cable stitches integrated throughout the design as charted pattern elements. Purl stitches are employed in the cable manipulation techniques, particularly in the slip-stitch sequences that create the cable crossings. The gauge is set at 31 stitches and 34 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over the pattern using 3¼mm needles, which is critical for achieving the correct finished measurements.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Vita is designed to be worked in Rowan Felted Tweed, a DK weight yarn. The yardage requirements vary by size: Small requires 9 x 50g balls, Medium requires 10 x 50g balls, Large requires 11 x 50g balls, XL requires 12 x 50g balls, and XXL requires 13 x 50g balls. The photographed sample was worked in Clay (shade 177). Two needle sizes are required: 2¾mm (US 2) needles for ribbed edgings and initial cast-on, and 3¼mm (US 3) needles for the main body and pattern work. A cable needle is essential for executing the cable stitches throughout the design.

Construction Details

The sweater is constructed with careful attention to shaping and fit. The pattern includes specific instructions for transitioning between needle sizes and working charted pattern sections. Front length measurements range from 52 cm (20½ in) to 68 cm (27 in) depending on size, while back lengths are slightly longer, ranging from 54 cm (21 in) to 68 cm (27 in). This design is ideal for knitters with solid experience in reading charts, working cables, and managing multiple stitch manipulations simultaneously.