Product Description
French 75 is worked seamlessly from the bottom up and shaped along raglan seams. It features lovely, elegant cables and a few special details to give it a delicate, vintage vibe. If substituting yarn, choose a worsted weight fiber in a classic wool or wool blend for a similar look. Pattern shown worn with 5"/12.75cm of positive ease, but works with a more fitted silhouette as well. Notes are included to alter length, width, sleeves, and neckline if desired.
French 75 Knit Sweater by Thea Colman
What Is Being Made
The French 75 is an intermediate-level knit sweater designed by Thea Colman for BabyCocktails. This pullover sweater features a sophisticated cable pattern and is available in nine size options ranging from 38.75 inches to 62 inches in finished bust circumference. The design accommodates various body measurements with positive ease recommendations of 5 to 6 inches at the bust, though the sweater can also be knit with less ease for a closer fit that hugs the curves.
Techniques and Construction
The French 75 employs several key knitting techniques to create its finished structure. The sweater is constructed using circular needles for seamless knitting in the round, which is a hallmark of modern sweater construction. The design incorporates cable patterns as a primary decorative element, with each 14-stitch repeat of the cable measuring 2 inches wide. The upper collar is worked separately using a smaller needle size, requiring a transition in needle gauge for this finishing detail.
The body and sleeves are worked in stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric base. The collar section is knit in seed stitch, providing a textured contrast to the stockinette body.
Stitches Used
- Stockinette stitch – forms the primary fabric of the body and sleeves
- Seed stitch – used for the upper collar for textural interest
- Cable stitch – the signature decorative pattern, with 14-stitch repeats
Yarn and Materials
The French 75 is designed to be knit with worsted-weight yarn. The sample shown was knit using Magpie Fibers Nest Worsted, a 100% non-superwash Corriedale wool yarn that provides 210 yards per 3.5-ounce skein (approximately 192 meters per 100-gram skein). Total yardage requirements range from 1,050 to 1,850 meters depending on size selected, with smaller sizes requiring around 1,050 meters and the largest size needing 1,690 meters.
The sample was knit in the Natural colorway. Knitters should use US #7 (4.5mm) needles for the body and sleeves, and US #6 (4mm) needles for the upper collar only. A 32-inch (81.25cm) or longer circular needle is recommended for the body, with 16-inch (40.5cm) circular needle(s) suggested for working the collar and other small circumferences.
Gauge
The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rounds per 4 inches (10cm) in seed stitch and stockinette. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit, and knitters are advised to adjust needle size as needed to match this specification before beginning the sweater.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Worsted |
| Pages: | 12 |
| Designer: | BabyCocktails/Thea Colman |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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