southold sweater

I’m very, very excited about the upcoming week, and here’s why: I have two, that’s right TWO sweater designs being released! (Talk about serendipitous timing.) I’ll tell you all about the second one later in the week when it’s released by the yarn company, but let’s dive right into the first one, a MWD original: the Southold Sweater.

Southold is a design that was inspired 100% by the yarn choice. Since its initial release, I have loved loved loved Quince and Co.’s 100% organic linen yarn, Sparrow. The yarn imparts the most incredible drape to knitted fabric and when it’s washed, softens up like you would not believe. And the more you wear/wash it, the softer it gets. It truly is a yarn that is meant to be worn and lived in, which is what all of our handknits deserve, right?

Once I realized that I needed a linen sweater (and decided on the “Paprika” colorway), it didn’t take me long to settle on the style: comfy and casual, but with a twist. For me, “comfy and casual” is a pullover that’s a tiny bit oversized, long in the body, and easy at the shoulders. Enter the side-to-side construction of Southold, complete with elbow-length dolman sleeves and a nice dose of twisted ribbing at the cuffs and hem. And instead of the usual stockinette stitch, I went with reverse stockinette stitch fabric to play up the unique texture and feel of the yarn:

In keeping with the “oversized” vibe, Southold is meant to be worn with anywhere between 0-5″ of positive ease, so I’m wearing the 35″ size and I’ve written the pattern to include five sizes up to 55″. And in keeping with my own aesthetic of “clean and simple,” Southold is knit in one piece, starting at the cuff of the left sleeve, through the body, and down the right sleeve again to the cuff. Once the sides and sleeves are seamed, the ribbed hem is picked up and knit, as is the rolled stockinette neck edging:

Oh, and remember that “twist” I mentioned? Well, a clean and simple pullover is all well and good, but I thought that a surprise was in order (which always makes the knitting more fun!), and a little bit of lace behind the neck did the trick:

I do so love this little sweater and have already discovered how wearable it is, especially as we enter the transition between Summer and Fall. It’s the right layer for that first breath of crisp air, but the linen yarn keeps the fabric light, cool, and breathable. I hope that you’ll find that you love it just the same!

You can learn more about the Southold Sweater and purchase the pattern here, or check out the information available here on Ravelry!

As usual, special thanks to my master photographer/husband and Karen for her fantastic editing skills.

I’ll be back later this week with the next sweater! I’m on a roll!

xoxo Danielle