Nautical striped sweater

Nautical Striped Sweater by Claire Montgomerie

What is Being Made

This is a breton-inspired striped sweater from Claire Montgomerie's spring/summer 2009 collection. The design features a classic nautical aesthetic with horizontal stripes in cream and blue, complemented by a charming button detail at the shoulder. The sweater is described as cute and comfortable for everyday wear, making it an ideal layering piece for warm-weather seasons.

Craft and Primary Technique

This project is created using knitting as the primary craft. The sweater is worked in a traditional flat knitting method, with pieces constructed separately and then seamed together. The design is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who are ready to tackle garment construction and color work.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The sweater is worked primarily in stockinette stitch (st st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric ideal for displaying the horizontal stripe pattern. The stripe pattern is worked throughout the garment, requiring knitters to manage color changes and carry yarn along the sides or weave in ends as needed. This straightforward stitch choice allows the nautical striping to be the focal point of the design.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, a luxury blend yarn composed of 55% merino wool, 33% microfibre, and 12% cashmere. This yarn is worked at aran weight (approximately 90 meters/98 yards per 50-gram ball). The pattern requires 6 to 10 balls of cream (color 025) for yarn A and 4 to 7 balls of blue (color 205) for yarn B, depending on the desired size. The yardage and ball weight allow for a durable yet soft finished garment with excellent drape and comfort.

Needles and Notions

The sweater is worked using 4 mm (US #6) and 5 mm (US #8) needles. The smaller needles are typically used for ribbed edges and cuffs, while the larger needles are used for the main body in stockinette stitch. Additional materials include stitch holders for managing stitches during construction, a darning needle for seaming and weaving in ends, and three 15 mm (½ inch) buttons for the shoulder detail that adds both functional and decorative appeal to the finished piece.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a tension of 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) in stockinette stitch using 5 mm (#8) needles, or the size required to achieve the correct gauge. The sweater is available in six sizes with actual chest measurements ranging from 85 cm (33¼ inches) to 110 cm (43¼ inches), and lengths ranging from 54.5 cm (21½ inches) to 65 cm (25¾ inches). This range accommodates various body types and allows for customization of fit.