Zoraya

Zoraya Silk-Blend Knit Sweater by Justyna Lorkowska

What is Being Made

Zoraya is a seamless knit pullover sweater designed for relaxed, everyday wear. This dropped shoulder sweater features an all-over lace pattern and is worked in a luxurious silk-blend yarn that creates a beautiful drape. The design is perfect for casual occasions like weekend afternoons, offering a sophisticated yet comfortable aesthetic.

Construction Technique

Zoraya is constructed using a bottom-up seamless knitting method worked in the round. The body is knitted as one continuous piece from the hem upward in a simple lace pattern. At the armholes, the front and back are divided and shaped separately before being rejoined at the shoulders using a Centered Double Decrease technique. Stitches are then picked up around the neckline and finished with an I-cord bind-off, creating a polished edge. The dropped shoulder sleeves are picked up around the armholes and completed separately.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used throughout Zoraya is a simple lace pattern that creates the beautiful all-over texture. The lace pattern is worked seamlessly in the round, allowing for consistent patterning throughout the body. Finishing techniques include the Centered Double Decrease for shoulder shaping and I-cord for the neckline, both classic knitting methods that add refined detail to the finished garment.

Yarn and Materials

Zoraya is knit using Martin's Lab Aubrey Sport, a sport weight yarn composed of 55% Superwash BFL and 45% silk. This fiber blend creates the signature drape and elegance of the finished sweater. Each skein contains 328 yards (300 meters) and weighs 100 grams. The pattern requires between 5 and 10 skeins depending on size, with yardage ranging from approximately 1410 to 3115 yards (1290 to 2850 meters) across the size range.

Skill Level and Yarn Weight

Zoraya is rated as a beginner-friendly knitting pattern, making it accessible to knitters new to garment construction. The pattern uses sport weight yarn, which is lighter and more delicate than worsted or bulky weights, contributing to the elegant drape and refined appearance of the finished sweater.