Maile is a fragrant vine endemic to Hawaii, and it is traditionally used as a kind of very special lei; Dave and I wore maile leis on our wedding day. The lei is traditionally worn open, draped over the shoulders, and the leaf pattern in this sweater echoes that.
So this pattern probably won't speak to most people the way it does to me and Willow, but it's pretty, and I thought I'd share it.
Size: 3 months, 20-in chest circumference. (I know. It would be nice if I provided multiple sizes. But I find baby sizes to be completely insane--Willow currently fits "newborn" and "3 months," but not "0-3 months." She fits this sweater. She is two months old. I leave it to you to determine. Also, raglans are pretty easy for mucking around with the sizing).
Materials:
1 skein Dream in Color Smooshy, Happy Forest
Size US 4 circular needles
stitch holders (3)
stitch markers (several)
buttons (4)
Gauge:
6 sts and 9 rows = 1 inch
Lace Pattern #1:
Row 1: k3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, skp, *k5, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, skp; Repeat from * to last 3 sts, k3
Row 2 and all even: purl
Row 3: k2, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, skp, *k3, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, skp; Repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2
Rows 5 & 7: As row 1.
Lace Pattern #2:
Row 1: (k1, yo)2X, sl-k2tog-psso, k3, k3tog, (yo, k1)2X.
Row 2 and all even: purl
Row 3: k1, yo, k3, yo, skp, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k1 (2 sts increased)
Row 5: k1, yo, skp, k1, k2tog, yo, sl-k2tog-psso, yo, skp, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 (2 sts decreased)
Row 7: k1 (yo, skp, k1, k2tog, yo, k1)2X
Row 9: As row 7
Row 10: purl
Body:
CO 131 sts.
K 11 rows
K5, p to last 5 sts, k5
K5, work Lace Pattern #1 to last 5 sts, k5.
Repeat the last two rows until Lace Pattern #1 has been completed.
K5, p to last 5 sts, k5
K33, pm, k65, pm, k33
K5, p to last 5 sts, k5
(K to 3 sts before m, ssk, k2, k2tog)2X, k to end
Work 7 rows even.
Repeat the last 8 rows 2X more, then work even until piece measures 4.5 inches, ending in a WS row.
(119 sts).
Place these stitches on a holder, leaving the markers in place.
Sleeves (make 2):
CO 30 sts
K 10 rows
K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1
Work 3 rows in stockinette.
Repeat the last 4 rows 3X more.
K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1
Work 5 rows in stockinette.
Repeat the last 6 rows 3X (46 sts)
Work even until piece measures 4.75 inches, ending in a WS row.
Yoke:
Place body stitches back on needles. K to 8 sts before marker, ssk, pm, k6, remove m. K7 sts from 1st sleeve, pm, k2tog. K to 3 sts before end of sleeve, ssk, pm, k to end of sleeve. K 1 stitch from back, k2tog, k to 3 sts before marker, ssk, pm, k1, k 1 st from second sleeve, k2tog, k to 9 sts before end of sleeve, ssk, pm, k to end of sleeve. K 6 sts from left front, pm, k2tog, k to end.
Note: Yes, this is exceedingly hard on your hands and needles, and it would be so much easier if I'd bound off sts to be sewn up. But I don't like the way that feels under my arms, so I prefer to struggle through. Feel free to bind off a few sts on either side of the sleeves and at the markers in the body to free up some space for yourself.
Buttonhole row: K2, yo, k2tog, k1, p to last 5 sts, k5
K to 2 sts before m, ssk, work Lace Pattern #2 between markers, k2tog, (k to 3 sts before m, ssk, k2, k2tog)2X, k to 2 sts before m, ssk, work Lace Pattern #2 between markers, k2tog, k to end.
K5, p to last 5 sts, k5
Repeat the last two rows until there are 83 sts on the needles, working a buttonhole row every 10 rows.
K 1 row.
K 1 row, decreasing 6 sts evenly spaced.
Repeat the last two rows 4X more (53 sts).
BO all sts.
Block lightly.
100 comments:
It's really a wonderful pattern! I love the color as well.
D.
What a cute little thing! Her personality really shows through in the pictures. She's growing too quickly!
The pattern, the sweater, the baby, the story - all just utterly charming!
Lovely sweater, lovely baby! You're a woman of many talents!
That last picture of Willow is so cute! Her expression appears to say, " OK, you get one more little smile from me today, but after this, all bets are off!"
Thanks again for the pattern!
found via Ravelry
Wow such a beautiful sweater! I've been searching for the perfect baby sweater for a friend and I think this is it. Thanks!! Cute pics too...
this is beautiful!
I want one in my size!
thankyou so much for sharing the pattern so generously.
My little girl is just a month old. I hope I can find time to make her this sweater.
My mother is from Hawaii, that's why I ended up with the name...
The sweater and the child are both beautiful!
eeeeek what a cute baby :) and a very adorable sweater....sigh...if only I could knit :(
Beautiful sweater and a gorgeous baby. Thank you for sharing.
What a gorgeous pattern. I love the meaning behind this. I just clicked over from WhipUp and I'm so glad I did. I would love to link to some of your projects if you didn't mind.
I have started to knit one of these super cute sweaters. Just a question with the first lace pattern. Am I suppose to knit a Row 2 (k5, purl to last 5st,k5) in between the lace pattern rows in alternate? Because I have done 6 rows of the lace pattern so far and I have a garter stich row in between the pattern which I can't see from your pictures. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Hi there,
Yes, you're supposed to knit Row 2 as the even rows--only the bottom cuff is in garter.
--Nikki
Willow is an absolutely beautiful baby. Good work on her lovely sweater.
very very nice! thanks a lot for the pattern!
This is a lovely sweater. Willow is so precious, I'm sending her a hug right now. What a beautiful baby, sweater and story! Thanks for sharing.
Congratulations to you and your husband, Willow is such an adorable baby.
great pattern, thanks.
Adorable sweater (and baby). It will probably be my next baby sweater. I apprecaited your story of the pattern creation--it's always nice to know what's going on in the designer's mind.
yosemiteknitter
Love this pattern! Thank you! I´ll be a grandmother this autumn and will knit it for my son and his girlfriens baby.
I love this pattern. I save it for my grandchildren i future. Thank you!
I wandered on to your blog and have been reading, browsing, reading, browsing and reading some more. Your daughters are beautiful. I could just sprinkle on some sugar and eat Willow right up. I mean that in the nicest way. You've done a beautiful job with this sweater mimicing the lei. Thank you for your selflessness in sharing the pattern. I've several girlfriends expecting and I just know they will adore this sweater. They all just happen to be expecting girls. I hope you are enjoying the tropical delightful surroundings of Hawaii. It has always been one of my favorite places having been blessed to spend the summer months and Christmas's of my childhood through college living there. My husband and I honeymooned for a month in Hawaii and we continue to travel back. It really is paradise. How blessed you are to be able to enjoy it with your children. One day I hope to do the same.
Mahalo!
Superbe
I am a new knitter and I am making this as my first cardi project and I need help.
When you say:
Work 7 rows even
Repeat last 8 rows 2x more than work until...
What do you mean?
Hi Nicole,
It means (K to 3 sts before m, ssk, k2, k2tog)2X, k to end, then knit seven rows in plain stockinette, which makes eight rows total.
Then you do that whole thing again--the decreases, and then the seven rows in plain stockinette again, which makes sixteen rows total.
And then you do it all one last time, making it 24 rows total. Does that make sense?
Nikki
Hi Nikki
I am loving knitting your little cardigan. Some of your abbreviations are different to the ones used here in Australia so can you please tell me what 'pm' means? Does it mean 'place marker' .
many thanks wendy
Hi Wendy--it does mean "place marker." Enjoy!
--Nikki
hello!
Very nice sweater ond baby!!
But what do skp in the lace pattern means?
Marita
What a cuuute cuuute pattern (and baby !)
Hi Nikki, I love this pattern and am working on it right now. I've never knit a raglan sleeve and am having trouble making sense of pattern after you knit the first buttonhole row. I'm sure I'm reading it wrong... but when you get the first marker, do I only knit the lace #2 pattern once between the 2 markers, twice, or more until I hit the 2nd marker?? I decided to knit the lace #2 pattern until I hit the 2nd marker, but the number of sts didn't end up working out at all... arg. (I counted 38sts between the 2 markers, by the way). SO I'm assuming that I'm doing something wrong! Any help or clarification would be SO appreciated!! :) Thanks in advance! I love your patterns.
melissa
sorry... "when you get TO the first marker" is what I meant
:)
-melissa
Hi Melissa,
You need to place a few more markers. Go back to the paragraph where you start working on the yoke--you place a few more markers there (it's easy to skip--"pm" seems like such an innocuous instruction) and so there are only 15 stitches that you're working lace pattern number two across.
I hope that makes sense!
Nikki
Oh ok! Wow, thank you SO much for responding so quickly. I really appreciate it!! I will go fix my error and get back to knitting up this adorable sweater. :) Thanks again!
do you knit the sleeves in the round? or flat?
The pattern indicates that the sleeves be knit flat, but they certainly could be knit in the round.
--Nikki
Yoke instructions say PM k6....k7 from sleeve PM... that makes 13 stitches for lace pattern # 2. I am counting 17 for row one, you say 15 stitches in an earlier post... maybe it's the sl k2tog psso that is messing me up... I am counting that as 3 stitches...slip one. k2tog, then pass the slipped stitch over?
I appreciate any help you may have to offer. This may be the nicest thing i have ever made, if i can only work this part out!
The stitch count changes over the course of lace pattern #2, but it starts out as thirteen stitches--I'm not sure how you're counting it, but my count is thirteen. I would just start knitting if I were you--it should work out.
--Nikki
totally adoooorable. i don't know yet what gender is my little monster going to be, so i'm making one in a neutral tan color. =)
I am so in love with this pattern that I have the perfect yarn set aside and I am just itching to knit it! :D
You are so talented!
Totally love the look of this pattern but what do you mean with the abbreviation skp in the lace#1?
"SKP" means slip-knit-pass. You slip the first stitch, knit the second, and then pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch--decreasing one stitch.
--Nikki
Thank you for the clarification. This is such a beautiful sweater!
Hi There! I am loving your pattern but I have lost my way a little! I am just about to start the first row of lace patter #2 ( a bit like the lady above) but I have lost a couple of stitch markers!! I wondered if you could let me know what the stitch count and marker placement is?? I hope you can help? Thank you again for a fab pattern!
Hi--I'm not sure what the stitch count is, but if you go back, it should be clear where you joined the sleeves, and the markers are placed around the sleeve join.
When knitting the yoke and it says to 'Repeat the last two rows until there are 83 sts on the needles, working a buttonhole row every 10 rows' - which two rows are you talking about? I'm sure its quite simple, but I keep messing it up! I did the last two rows of Lace Pattern 2 and it was obv. wrong, so I took that out, thinking to do LP2 2x more, but the stitches dont fit, so either I left out some when pulling the work out, or I'm just doing it wrong!
Love this sweater, hoping to get my little 3 week bean in it soon!!
Thanks,
Becky
Hi Becky,
These are the two rows:
Row 1: K to 2 sts before m, ssk, work Lace Pattern #2 between markers, k2tog, (k to 3 sts before m, ssk, k2, k2tog)2X, k to 2 sts before m, ssk, work Lace Pattern #2 between markers, k2tog, k to end.
Row 2: K5, p to last 5 sts, k5
I'm not sure what you're doing...LP2 is only worked between the front shoulder markers, so if you're working multiple repeats you're doing something wrong...
Sorry not to be more helpful!
Nikki
THANK YOU SO MUCH!! For a lovely pattern and the help along the way!
Will be putting photos up on my blog and Ravelry very soon - I hope I have done it justice for you!
Thanks again - love it :)
Hi,I'm working away on this gorgeous cardi of yours but have come to a grinding halt! When you say "work these two rows until you have 83 stitches" I don't know what you mean.You answer this question in another comment but the first row ( of the two) you mention comprises of ten rows of lace pattern #2 which means I cant be decreasing ?? What am I missing? Am I only supposed to continue with row 9 of the lace pattern then a purl row? Sorry but it didnt make sense to me.Thanks for the help!
Hi Clare,
Nope, you work whatever row of Lace Pattern #2 is next, but you're decreasing around that lace section--it stays between stitch markers.
Hope that helps!
Nikki
Oh thanks so much Nikki! I had another look last night as thought so but had to check as frogging Koigu was not going to be any fun ; )
I just finished one in bleu - minus the lace pattern at the bottom, we don't know yet if we are having a boy or a girl -, and with a different gauge to get a size 12 months.
Thank you much, it's a wonderful pattern, I had no problem following it. It's fun to knit and absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to see it on my little one :)
Oh my, that's beautiful! I'm a Hawaiian living in northern Illinois, and I absolutely must knit this pattern!!!
(I'll find a baby to stick it on later :)
This is the most beautiful baby sweater that I've come across. I definitely will make this one, thank you so much for sharing.
Absolutely gorgeous :D
My newborn great-niece will be wearing this at her mother's wedding. Thank you for sharing this pattern and allowing it to be such a special part of our lives too. Pics on Ravelry soon!
I saw this sweater in pink on a bulletin board in my LYS today and had to have it. And, of corse, some nice tonal green Shibui. Thank you so much for sharing your talent.
beautiful!
thank you
hi, i'm a newbie and i am doing this patter for my niece, i dont quite understand this part of the instruction though,
(K to 3 sts before m, ssk, k2, k2tog)2X, k to end
Work 7 rows even.
Repeat the last 8 rows 2X more, then work even until piece measures 4.5 inches, ending in a WS row.
(119 sts).
...Could you please lemme know what the 2x would mean and the rest of the instructions?
Hi Swetha,
The 2X means two times--so work everything in bold below two more times.
(K to 3 sts before m, ssk, k2, k2tog)2X, k to end
Work 7 rows even.
Work even means to work in stockinette stitch for 4.5 inches, ending with a purl (WS--wrong side) row.
Best,
Nikki
Hi, I've been working on this and am a little confused by the measuring. In the sleeves you say, after working all of the initial rows that I should continue even until the piece measures 4.75 inches, but the piece already measures about 6 inches after I finish the initial rows. Have I done something wrong?
thanks a lot nikki. i am now doing the sleeves...at the end...should i place them on holders too? i am done with 1st sleeve and have to start the 2nd.
ohh i forgot, i actually cut off the yarn after the body stitches were placed on holders...i hope that isnt wrong!
hi Nikki,
i want to start on with the yoke, but i am unable to understand how to knit the sleeve when i have the body stitches on the needles :(
Can u pls let me know how i shud start knitting the sleeve after he marker on the body??
Also when do i stitch the sleeve sides?
Hi Swetha,
I'm not sure how to describe it any more clearly than how it is written in the pattern, or has been discussed in the comments previously. I would suggest simply starting on the yoke and following the instructions as closely as you can--it's simple enough once you get started; the issue is with the tightness of the needles--many people slip the sleeve stitches onto two dpns to give them some ease.
As the pattern states, you sew up the sleeves after finishing the yoke.
Best,
Nikki
I used your pattern to knit "coming home outfits" for my twin girls last fall. It was very meaningful to me as well because my husband and I were married in Hawaii and wore maile leis. I want to thank you for sharing this pattern. The sweaters will be a treasured item to save for them.
I'm having trouble adding the sleeves, I followed the pattern, but after I added the first sleeve, my needles were too tight to keep knitting. I know you said you can bind off some stitches to give more room, but if I do that, how do I continue with the pattern? Thanks for your help!
Well, you'll need to rip back a bit. You would need to BO stitches at each end of the sleeves (just 2 or 3 on each side), and then BO either 4 or 6 stitches at the sleeve join in the body.
I'm sure that sounds tricky--if it were me, I would stick with what you have. I'd slide some of your sleeve stitches onto a couple of dpns, which will give you some room to work with.
Best,
Nikki
thanks! beautiful!
So far I am loving this pattern but I am a bit confused.
Repeat the last two rows until Lace Pattern #1 has been completed.
**last row of lace pattern is purling all the stitches-well expect the 5 first and last st.
K5, p to last 5 sts, k5 (is this done on the right side bc thats how i did it)
k33, pm, k65, pm, k33 (I am assuming this is meant to be knit on the right side but I am wrong side based on the above)
tks
Hi Rachel,
The purl stitches are always on the wrong side--that should clarify things!
So the place marker row is a Right Side row.
Nikki
Thats what I figured so should I just omit that last purl row before I PM? Or else it dosent work right....
Exactly.
Thank you so much for the fast response Nikki! I cant wait to get back to knitting :)
I am going to ML the sleeve on rather then knitting 2 and grafting them on so I wanted to double check about st counts--there are 46st for the sleeves or is it far less when you attach them?
This is beautiful, and an easy knit. However, I had the same question another knitter did whether the sleeves were knit in the round or flat. You responded the pattern indicates they are knitted flat. Based on the 'knit 10 rows' in the beginning of the sleeves yet they are clearly garter stitch edged, yes. But I was never able to find a place where 'stitch sleeve seam' is indicated. That seems obvious, but.....some of us knitters have 'sharper points' than others ;)
Thanks for the lovely pattern!
It's 46 stitches for magic loop, Rachel, so you should be fine.
You seam the sleeves at the very end--they are written to be knit flat.
Really stupid question--when you start the yoke, are the sleeves on the needles with it -- sleeve, yoke, sleeve. Or, are the sleeves on separate needles, and you knit them on from those?
The sleeves are on separate needles, and then you knit them onto the long circular needle.
Great. That's what I thought. Thanks!
sceinThis is a beautiful sweater however I am having a lot of difficulty with the pattern. I've been working on it for months now and have knit and re-knit it again and again but I cannot get the lace to look how it does it the pictures. I have followed the instructions exactly and am sure that I have done everything right and yet only half of the lace pattern works. The left side just does not look right. I plan to continue because it still looks alright but I'm wondering if anyone has finished this sweater looking exactly like it is supposed to? Is it just me or is there something wrong with the pattern?
Hi there,
I'm not sure what's going on--the sweater should be working out for you! I'm sorry it's been so frustrating; you could try explaining the problem to me, or you could go to
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/maile-sweater/people
and perhaps that will give you some ideas...
Best,
Nikki
I am very anxious to get at this pattern but have already hit a road block. I am fairly new to this type of knitting so please excute my lack of knowledge.
When the Lace Pattern #1 is worked it states: K5, work Lace Pattern #1to last 5 sts,K5.
If I follow what it says I don't have enough stitch. What I tired to knit was K5,k3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, skp, *k5, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, skp; Repeat from * to last 3 sts, k3,k5.
Also, for row 3 of the same lace pattern would there also be K5 at the beginning and end of the row?
I'd really appreciate your help.
For the Lace Pattern #1 - for Row 2 and all even it says to purl. Should the first and last 5 stitches be knit?
Love the pattern and hope I can get it complete before the baby shower.
Hi there,
I'm not sure where your trouble is--perhaps you didn't cast on the right number of stitches? Because if you're repeating from the * (not from the beginning of the lace pattern instructions) then you should end up with the right number of stitches.
Yes, you do knit the 5 edge stitches on either side, throughout the sweater.
Hi there,
I'm sorry to ask you to explain this again, but when you say, "work 7 rows even" or "in plain stockinette", do you mean:
K5, p to last 5 sts, K5
K 1 row
K5, p to last 5 sts, K5
K 1 row
K5, p to last 5 sts, K5
K 1 row
K5, p to last 5 sts, K5
Or is it just (K5, p to last 5 sts, k5) for those 7 rows?
Thanks for your help!!
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful and personal pattern. I have knitted it twice so far, both in red and I plan on using it again soon.
http://mycrafttrunk.blogspot.com.au/
Hi Shelby,
Stockinette stitch is knit all on one side, and purl all on the other. So, as you say:
K5, p to last 5 sts, K5
K 1 row
K5, p to last 5 sts, K5
K 1 row
K5, p to last 5 sts, K5
K 1 row
K5, p to last 5 sts, K5
I love the pattern I thinks it beautiful but your instructions are complicated as am always trying to second guess the instructions. It wouldn't hurt to number your rows. For example button holes..ie., repeat rows so and so...just saying:)
Alright, I'm having an issue with Lace Pattern #1. After doing Row #1, I ended up with 11 sts. and after Row #3, I ended up with 6 sts. Trust me, I've ripped it all out, started from square one and counted sts. until I'm cross-eyed. Is there a common misstep I'm making here? Just wondering. Awesome sweater, just my obsession right now!
I don't know what's going on, but it sounds to me like you're having a mental block...and here's what I'd do: skip it. Knit that bit in stockinette--a lot of knitters prefer it that way anyway, I've noticed. Just go around the problem rather than trying force your way through it.
Otherwise...make sure you're doing all your yarnovers!
Hello! Just a quick question b/c a forum on Ravelry kind of confused me!
Does "(K to 3 sts before m, ssk, k2, k2tog)2X" mean to work the sequence in parentheses two times, then knit the rest of the row? That's how I initally understood it. Just need clarification. Thanks!
Yep, that's exactly right!
Thanks for the quick response! Now back to knitting this adorable sweater!
Beautiful sweater....but the story behind it is much more beautiful.
Making my second of these gorgeous cardis. The first was in a very pretty lilac and the second is in a light green for a little girl who's very likely to have pretty red hair.
Beautiful sweater! Can you please tell me what SSK means? (ssk, k2, k2tog). Thank you.
SSK is slip, slip, knit--you slip two stitches onto your right hand needle, and then insert your left needle into the back of those stiches, and knit them together.
There are good tutorials online--just do a google search.
Dear Nikki,
Love the pattern but there are obviously differences between English and American patterns ! Would you please tell me what "skp" means.
Thanks
Sue in Twickenham, UK
SKP is slip-knit-pass. You slip the next stitch on the left needle to your right hand needle. Then knit the next stitch, and pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch--one stitch decreased.
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