Monte Carlo - beaded argyle sweater

Monte Carlo Beaded Argyle Sweater by Judy Furlong

What is Being Made

The Monte Carlo is an elegant beaded cashmere fitted top designed by Judy Furlong and originally published in The Knitter, Issue 57 (April 2013). This sophisticated garment features three-quarter length sleeves and is tailored with shaping at the waist and short row shaping to create bust darts for a flattering, contoured fit. The design offers versatility—if you prefer a more relaxed silhouette, the waist darts can be omitted entirely. Available in ten sizes to suit bust measurements from 82 cm (32 inches) through 128 cm (50 inches), this top suits a range of body types.

Construction and Techniques

The Monte Carlo is worked flat rather than in the round, a deliberate choice to minimize how far beads are carried along the yarn during knitting. This flat construction method allows for efficient bead placement and easier management of the beading process throughout the project.

Beading Method: Beads are threaded onto the yarn at the start of the project and are knitted directly into the fabric as you work. However, the pattern offers flexibility—if you prefer, beads can be sewn onto the finished top instead, allowing you to choose the application method that works best for your skill level and preferences.

Shaping Details: The top features sophisticated tailoring including waist shaping and short row bust darts that create structure and definition. The welt and cuff ribbing provide finished edges at the hem and sleeve cuffs, while the body is worked almost entirely in stocking stitch, allowing the beading detail to be the focal point of the design.

Stitches Used

• Stocking Stitch: The primary stitch used throughout most of the garment, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric
• Ribbing: Used for the welt at the hem and cuffs at the sleeve edges for elasticity and a finished appearance
• Beaded Knitting: Beads are incorporated into the stocking stitch fabric on the sleeves, front, and around the neckline edging
• Short Row Shaping: Employed to create bust darts for targeted shaping and a tailored fit

Materials

This pattern is designed for 4-ply yarn weight, a lightweight yarn that creates a refined, drapeable fabric suitable for a fitted cashmere top. The original design specifies cashmere, a luxurious natural fiber known for its softness and warmth. Beads are a key material component, threaded onto the yarn before knitting begins. Standard knitting needles appropriate for 4-ply yarn are required to complete this project.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern is suitable for knitters with solid foundational skills. The combination of fitted shaping, short row techniques, and beaded knitting requires experience with garment construction and attention to detail, though the straightforward stocking stitch base makes it accessible to knitters ready to expand their technical abilities.