Polaroid

Polaroid Yoked Sweater by Kraftling

What is Being Made

The Polaroid is a classic yoked pullover sweater designed by Kraftling and inspired by the warm, nostalgic color palette of vintage Polaroid photographs. This top-down knit construction creates a timeless garment suitable for everyday wear, with a fitted yoke that transitions to a relaxed body fit. The sweater is available in ten different sizes, ranging from 36 inches to 54 inches around the chest, accommodating a wide range of body types with 3 to 4 inches of positive ease built into the sizing.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Polaroid sweater is worked in the round from the top down, a popular modern knitting method that allows for minimal seaming and easy fit adjustments as you progress. The yoked construction is a defining feature of this design, with colorwork patterning concentrated in the yoke area before transitioning to stockinette stitch for the body and sleeves. This technique creates visual interest at the shoulders while maintaining simplicity in the lower sections of the garment.

The pattern includes colorwork elements that showcase Brooklyn Tweed's Loft yarn in its full color range. An uncolored chart is provided for knitters who wish to customize their own color palette, offering creative flexibility while maintaining the sweater's classic silhouette. This feature makes the pattern accessible to both traditional colorwork knitters and those seeking a personalized design experience.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Polaroid sweater is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric with excellent drape. The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and techniques, including:

• Knit (k) – the fundamental stitch forming the stockinette base
• Purl (p) – used in combination with knit stitches for pattern definition
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) – a left-leaning decrease used for shaping
• Cast on (CO) – the foundation for beginning the sweater at the neckline
• Bind off (BO) – the finishing technique for securing stitches at edges

Yarn and Materials

The Polaroid pattern is designed specifically for Brooklyn Tweed's Loft yarn, a 4-ply weight yarn that provides crisp stitch definition ideal for colorwork sweaters. The yarn requirements vary by size, with the main color (Cast Iron) requiring between 3 and 5 skeins depending on size, and five contrast colors (Postcard, Camper, Sap, Wool Socks, and Tartan) each requiring 1 skein. For knitters working with partial skeins, approximately 15 grams of each contrast color is needed.

Needles required include 3.5 mm circular needles measuring 24 inches for working the body in the round, along with a set of four or five double-pointed needles in the same size for the crown shaping and sleeve caps. The needle size can be adjusted as needed to achieve the specified gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch.

Difficulty Level

The Polaroid sweater is rated as a beginner-friendly knitting project, making it an excellent choice for knitters new to garment construction. While the pattern involves colorwork and top-down yoked construction, the straightforward stockinette base and clear instructions make it accessible to those with foundational knitting skills. The inclusion of an uncolored chart option also allows beginners to work with a single color if preferred, simplifying the learning curve while still creating a beautifully constructed sweater.