Please note: this is a printed knitting pattern. It is not a digital download.
The Athene Sweater is a beautiful colourwork sweater worked from the top down. The design begins with a solid-colour section at the top of the yoke before transitioning into the colourwork pattern.
The back yoke is worked first, flat and back and forth, while short rows shape the slope of the shoulders. Each shoulder is then worked separately before being joined to form the front yoke. The front and back are then joined and the body is worked in the round.
The colourwork section can be worked in the round using steek stitches, which are later cut open to form the armholes. If you prefer not to steek, the colourwork section can also be worked flat back and forth on a circular needle.
Once the armholes are completed, the body continues in the round and finishes with a ribbed hem. The sleeves are worked in the round from stitches picked up around the armholes. The sweater is finished with a folded neckline worked from stitches picked up around the neck opening.
Because colourwork often creates a tighter fabric than plain knitting, some knitters may need to use ½–1 needle size larger when working the colourwork section to maintain the correct gauge. It is strongly recommended to knit a swatch both in plain stockinette and in the colourwork pattern before beginning.
Size Guide
The Athene Sweater is designed to have approximately 20 cm of positive ease in the smaller sizes, gradually decreasing in the larger sizes.
Choose your size based on your actual bust measurement. Always measure yourself before beginning and knit to the correct gauge to achieve the intended fit.
Sizes
XXS (XS) S (M) L (XL) 2XL (3XL) 4XL (5XL)
Finished Bust Circumference
100 (105) 110 (115) 120 (130) 135 (145) 150 (160) cm
Length
54 (55) 57 (58) 59 (61) 63 (66) 67 (68) cm
(measured mid back, excluding neck edge)
Gauge
Plain stockinette:
20 stitches × 27 rows = 10 × 10 cm on 4 mm needles
Colourwork pattern:
20 stitches × 26 rows = 10 × 10 cm on 4.5 mm needles
Needles
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4 mm circular needles (40, 60, 80 and/or 100 cm)
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4.5 mm circular needles (80 and/or 100 cm)
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3.5 mm circular needles (40 and 80 and/or 100 cm)
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3.5 mm, 4 mm and 4.5 mm double-pointed needles
(unless using Magic Loop)
Yarn Requirements (by metreage)
This sweater is designed for a DK / light worsted weight yarn (around 120–130 metres per 50 g) with good stitch definition, which helps the colourwork pattern stand out clearly.
You will need two contrasting colours.
Main Colour
Approximate metreage required:
750 (750) 875 (875) 1,000 (1,000) 1,125 (1,125) 1,250 (1,250) metres
Contrast Colour
Approximate metreage required:
500 (500) 500 (500) 500 (625) 625 (625) 625 (750) metres
Choose yarns that have:
A smooth wool yarn works particularly well for stranded knitting and helps the pattern remain crisp.
Difficulty
★★★★★ (5 out of 5)
This pattern is suited to experienced knitters who are comfortable with colourwork techniques and garment construction.
