Messaline

Messaline Knit Sweater by Bristol Ivy

What is Being Made

Messaline is a boxy, drapey knit sweater designed by Bristol Ivy, featuring a sophisticated boatneck neckline and three-quarter length sleeves. The sweater showcases asymmetrical cable panels as its signature design element, creating visual interest and texture across the garment. Available in eight finished bust measurements ranging from 38 inches to 65 3/4 inches, this design accommodates a wide range of sizes. The sweater is worked primarily flat and finished with seaming and blocking to achieve the final measurements.

Techniques Used

This knit sweater employs several key construction techniques. The main body pieces are worked flat on circular needles, which are used to accommodate the large number of stitches rather than for true circular knitting. The neckband is worked in the round using circular needles. Seaming joins the individual pieces together, and blocking is essential to achieve the finished measurements and enhance the drape of the garment. The asymmetrical cable panels require careful stitch placement and pattern management throughout the knitting process.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Messaline sweater combines stockinette stitch as the primary background fabric with cable stitch panels as decorative elements. Stockinette stitch creates a smooth, classic knit fabric and is used for the majority of the sweater body. The cable panels feature more complex cable stitches that create raised, twisted textures and are positioned asymmetrically across the front and back. These cable panels require the use of a cable needle to manipulate stitches and create the distinctive twisted rope-like appearance. The gauge for stockinette stitch is 27 1/2 stitches and 37 rows over 4 inches, while the cable panel gauge is 38 stitches and 37 rows over 4 inches, reflecting the density difference created by the cabled stitches.

Materials

The Messaline pattern calls for Lucia yarn by Dirty Water Dyeworks, a blend of 75% merino wool and 25% nylon. This fiber composition provides elasticity, durability, and a luxurious feel while the nylon content adds strength and wear-resistance. Yardage requirements range from 1250 yards for the smallest size to 2720 yards for the largest size, requiring between 3 and 6 skeins depending on the finished size chosen. Each skein provides 464 yards of yarn.

Needles required include one 32-inch circular needle in US size 5 (3.75 mm) for the main knitting and one 32-inch circular needle or straight needles in US size 4 (3.5 mm) for ribbing or as needed to obtain proper gauge. The pattern notes that straight needles may be substituted for the flat pieces if preferred, offering flexibility in needle choice. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, a cable needle for manipulating cable stitches, and a tapestry needle for seaming and finishing.

Difficulty Level

Messaline is classified as a beginner-level knitting project, making it accessible to knitters who have mastered basic knit and purl stitches and are ready to explore cable techniques. While the inclusion of asymmetrical cable panels introduces moderate complexity, the straightforward construction method of working flat pieces and seaming them together keeps the overall project manageable for developing knitters.