Balsam Sweater
Design BF014 · Bramble & Fleece Autumn/Winter Collection
This top-down sweater, worked in two tonal shades with yoke colourwork and yoke shaping, is a great piece for those trying out colourwork as well as more experienced knitters. Stocking stitch body and sleeves with ribbed hem, cuffs and neckband complete the garment.
Balsam is the ideal first yoke sweater. Working top down means you can try it on as you go and adjust the body and sleeve length to suit you, and because the two shades are tonal rather than high contrast, small tension irregularities in the stranded rounds simply do not show.
At a glance
- Yarn: Bramble & Fleece Sheepsoft DK — 5 (5: 6: 6: 7) x 100g in shade A, plus 1 x 100g in shade B
- Shades photographed: A — Bishopdale 272, B — Aysgarth 292
- Needles: 4mm (UK 8 / US 6) circular needles, 40cm / 16in and 60-80cm / 24-32in long, plus a set of four 4mm double-pointed needles
- Tension: 21 stitches and 28 rounds to 10cm / 4in over colourwork stocking stitch on 4mm needles, once blocked
- Sizes: XS to XL, actual chest 103 to 143cm (40½ to 56¼in)
- Also needed: Waste yarn for the provisional cast-on, stitch holders or scrap yarn, and stitch markers
- Skill level: Simple
- Format: Digital PDF download
Which yarn does the Balsam Sweater use?
Balsam is written for Bramble & Fleece Sheepsoft DK, a blend of soft British Bluefaced Leicester with hardier Masham in 100g hanks. You will need 6 to 8 hanks in total across two tonal shades.
Is this a good first colourwork sweater?
Yes. The colourwork is confined to the yoke, the two shades are tonal so contrast mistakes are forgiving, and the whole garment is worked seamlessly in the round from the top down. You will need a provisional cast-on and to be comfortable knitting on circulars and double-pointed needles.
This is a digital knitting pattern supplied as a PDF download in English, with a yoke chart, UK and US needle sizes and both metric and imperial measurements. Yarn and needles are sold separately.