Refracted Sweater Knitting Pattern

The idea for the Refracted Sweater was born when I was playing around with slipped stitches near the beginning of the great COVID quarantine of 2020. I wanted something that would be simple to knit but striking in appearance with the elevated details that I so love to add when knitting garments. I knit the prototype that spring. It was a lovely garment that fit my wife well, but there were still a couple things that needed tweaking. I spent quite some time searching for the perfect yarns that would match the vision I had in my head and finally hit upon the perfect combo. Sarah from Traveling Yarn and Tayler of Fiber for the People were a joy to collaborate with for the long sleeved version, and over 6 months after the initial sweater I started work on the final version. This has been a long process, but I wanted my first sweater design to be as good as it could be. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous to release this pattern out into the world, since I know I still have a lot to learn about garment design, but I hope y’all will love it all the same.

The Refracted Sweater is a comfy cropped pullover with a striking slipped stitch pattern and plenty of positive ease. It is worked in the round from the bottom up until the sleeve divide, at which point the front and back are worked flat separately and then joined with a three needle bind-off at the shoulders. The sleeves are then picked up and worked in the round from the shoulder down to the cuff, where 1x1 ribbing is worked until twice the length of the cuff for a comfy rolled cuff.

Sizes
1, 2, 3 (4, 5, 6) 7, 8, 9

Finished Measurements
Bust Circumference - 41, 44, 48 (52, 57, 61) 64, 68, 72 in/104, 111, 121.5 (131.5, 144.5, 154) 162, 167, 183 cm
Upper Arm - 9, 10, 11 (12, 13, 14.5) 16, 17.5, 18 in/24, 26.5, 29 (32, 34, 38) 42, 46, 47 cm
Hem to Sleeve Divide (adjustable) - 11in/28cm for all sizes
Sleeve Length (adjustable) - 14in/35cm for all sizes
Neck Width - 19.5, 20.5, 21.5 (22.5, 23.5, 24.5) 25.5, 26.5, 27.5 in/49.5, 52, 54.5 (57, 59.75, 62.25) 64.75, 67.25, 70 cm
Wrist Circumference - 5.25, 5.5, 6 (6.25, 6.75, 7) 7.5, 7.75, 8 in/13.25, 14, 15.25 (16, 17, 17.75) 19, 19.5, 20.25 cm

Recommended Ease
8-12in/20-30cm positive ease at bust

Gauge
18.5 sts x 25 rows = 4in (10cm) in stockinette worked in the round with larger needles
and
23 sts x 29 rows - 4in (10cm) in slipped stitch pattern worked in the round with larger needles

Yarn Requirements
Long sleeved sample used
Fiber for the People Kid Mohair/Silk - 459yds (420m) 100g - 2 skeins Moraine colorway
held together with
Less Travelled Yarn Sport - 328yds (300m) 100g - 3 skeins custom colorway

Short sleeved sample used
Manos Del Uruguay Maxima - 218yds (199m) 100g - 3 skeins Petal colorway

To substitute, use
690, 790, 870 (980, 1090, 1200) 1330, 1470, 1570yds
631, 723, 796 (897, 997, 1098) 1217, 1345, 1436m sport weight yarn
held together with
630, 710, 790 (890, 990, 1090) 1210, 1330, 1430yds
557, 650, 723 (814, 906, 997) 1107, 1217, 1308m lace weight yarn
Or
690, 790, 870 (980, 1090, 1200) 1330, 1470, 1570yds
631, 723, 796 (897, 997, 1098) 1217, 1345, 1436m DK/light worsted weight yarn

(Note: suggested yardage/meterage is for long sleeved version. If you choose to make the short sleeve version, you will need less yarn.)

Needles
US 3 (3.25mm) circular needles
and
US 5 (3.75mm) circular needles
or
size needed to obtain gauge

Notions
4 stitch markers, scrap yarn or stitch holders, tapestry needle, blocking supplies

For questions or pattern support, email refractedlightknits@gmail.com

Disclaimer: in an attempt to be size inclusive, I have graded the pattern for people with a bust measurement up to 64in/162cm (potentially larger if worn with less than the suggested positive ease). However, I could not find people to test some of the larger sizes, so sizes 6, 7, and 8 have not been test knit. If you are interested in testing one of these sizes for me, feel free to get in touch, and I would be happy to discuss testing details with you, including a free copy of the pattern.

Copyright March 2021, all rights reserved.