Drifting Tides

Drifting Tides Oversized Knit Sweater by Annie Lupton

What is Being Made

Drifting Tides is an oversized, boxy sweater designed by independent designer Annie Lupton of Boho Chic Fiber Co. Inspired by the shoreline, this garment is engineered to be worn loose with substantial positive ease, making it an ideal layering piece suitable for year-round wear. The sweater's relaxed silhouette and beach-inspired aesthetic make it perfect for casual, comfortable styling during seaside strolls or everyday casual wear.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Drifting Tides sweater is knit from the bottom up in the round, a construction method that creates seamless fabric and allows for continuous circular knitting. The design features a distinctive slip stitch pattern that creates visual texture and movement along the bottom edge, producing little waves of contrasting colors. This slip stitch technique adds both decorative interest and dimensional detail to the garment's lower section, enhancing the shoreline-inspired design concept.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch structure uses stockinette stitch worked in the round, which creates a smooth, classic knit fabric with excellent drape. The slip stitch pattern is strategically incorporated at the bottom edge to create the signature wave-like contrasting color detail. This combination of fundamental stitches produces a garment with both refined simplicity and visual interest.

Yarn and Materials

Drifting Tides is designed to be knit in Biscotte Yarns La Douce MCN, a sport weight yarn composed of a blend of merino, nylon, and cashmere fibers. This fiber combination delivers exceptional qualities: the merino provides warmth and breathability, the nylon adds durability and elasticity, and the cashmere contributes luxury softness and a lovely drape. The yarn's properties make the finished sweater soft, smooth, and beautifully fluid.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern requires Size 3 (3.25 mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches / 81.5 cm, with an additional needle of the same size for construction. The gauge is 24 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch worked in the round and blocked. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished dimensions and fit.

Sizing and Fit

The Drifting Tides sweater is offered in five sizes (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) with finished bust circumferences ranging from 45 to 85 inches / 114.5 to 216 cm. The design incorporates 15 to 20 inches / 38 to 51 cm of positive ease, meaning the sweater is intentionally sized larger than typical body measurements to achieve the oversized, boxy aesthetic. This generous ease makes the sweater exceptionally comfortable for layering and creates the relaxed, contemporary silhouette that defines the design.

Skill Level

Drifting Tides is rated as an intermediate difficulty knitting pattern, appropriate for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle circular knitting, slip stitch techniques, and garment construction from the bottom up.