Athene Sweater / Petite Knit Pattern

The Athene Sweater is worked from the top down with a colorwork pattern. The top section of the yoke is worked in one solid color. The part of the sweater that is worked in the colorwork pattern is worked in the round on a circular needle, so the sleeve openings are steeked (i.e. cut open using scissors). The colorwork pattern can also be worked back and forth on the circular needle, so you do not have to steek (i.e. cut your work open using scissors).

First, the top part of the back yoke is worked back and forth while the slope of the shoulders is shaped using short rows. Then each shoulder is worked back and forth separately on a circular needle. The shoulders are then joined to form the front yoke. The front and back yoke are then joined to form the body, and steeking stitches are cast on at both sides, so the body can be worked in the round in the colorwork pattern until the armholes have been completed. After this, the body is worked in the round without steeking stitches, and the hem is finished with a rib edge. The sleeves are worked in the round from stitches that are picked up and knitted along the armhole openings after these have been steeked (i.e. cut) open. The folded neck edge is worked at the end from stitches that are picked up and knitted around the neck opening.

Please be aware that while working colorwork, some might have to use ½-1 size larger needles than while working in one solid color to maintain the same gauge. For this reason, we recommend knitting a swatch in both the colorwork pattern and in stockinette stitch worked in one color before beginning to work on the sweater. You can use the sleeve chart for the colorwork swatch.

Size guide

The Athene Sweater is designed to have approx. 20 cm [7¾ inches] of positive ease for the smaller sizes and gradually less for the larger sizes. The sizes XXS (XS) S (M) L (XL) 2XL (3XL) 4XL (5XL) are designed to fit a bust circumference of 75-80 (80-85) 85-90 (90-95) 95-100 (100-110) 110-120 (120-130) 130-140 (140 150) cm [29½-31½ (31½-33½) 33½-35½ (35½-37½) 37½-39½ (39½-43¼) 43¼-47¼ (47¼-51¼) 51¼ 55 (55-59) inches]. The measurements for the finished sweater can be found on the front page of the pattern. Please note: These measurements only apply if the correct gauge is maintained throughout. Begin by measuring yourself before beginning your project to determine which size will fit you the best. For example, if you measure 95 cm [37½ inches] around your bust (or around the widest part of your upper body), you should knit a size M. A sweater in size M has a bust circumference of 115 cm [45¼ inches] which in the given example would give you 20 cm [7¾ inches] of positive ease. 

Sizes: XXS (XS) S (M) L (XL) 2XL (3XL) 4XL (5XL)

Bust circumference: 100 (105) 110 (115) 120 (130) 135 (145) 150 (160) cm [39¼ (41¼) 43¼ (45¼) 47¼ (51¼) 53¼ (57) 59 (63) inches]

Length: 54 (55) 57 (58) 59 (61) 63 (66) 67 (68) cm [21¼ (21¾) 22½ (22¾) 23¼ (24) 24¾ (26) 26½ (26¾) inches] measured mid back excl. neck edge

Gauge: 20 sts x 27 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches] in stockinette stitch on a 4 mm [US6] needle

20 sts x 26 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches] in colorwork pattern on a 4.5 mm [US7] needle

Needles: Circular needles: 4 mm [US6] / 40, 60 and 80 and/or 100 cm [16, 24 and 32 and/or 40 inches], 4.5 mm [US7] / 80 and/or 100 cm [32 and/or 40 inches] and 3.5 mm [US4] / 40 and 80 and/or 100 cm [16 and 32 and/or 40 inches]; Double-pointed needles: 3.5 mm [US4], 4 mm [US6] and 4.5 mm [US7] (unless using the Magic Loop technique)

Materials: Main color (light): 300 (300) 350 (350) 400 (400) 450 (450) 500 (500) g Isager Soft by Isager Yarn (50 g = 125 m [137 yds])

Contrast color (dark): 200 (200) 200 (200) 200 (250) 250 (250) 250 (300) g Isager Soft by Isager Yarn (50 g = 125 m [137 yds])

The pattern was developed as a part of Isager Archives 2.

Difficulty: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5 out of 5)

The beige and black Athene Sweater is knitted in Isager Soft by Isager in the colors E6S and 30.