Villa d’Este
Floral embroidery adds a spectacular finish to this classic round-necked jumper
EMBROIDERY IS enjoying a resurgence in popularity at the moment, and Dario Tubiana has been exploring how simple stitches can bring beauty to knitted garments - take a look at his spectacular creations at www.instagram.com/ rosso.cardinale. His latest design for
The Knitter is a timeless round-necked jumper knitted in Rowan Felted Tweed, decorated with vibrant blooms and leaves embroidered in an array of shades from Rowan’s Alpaca Classic range.
BACK
Using 3.25mm needles, yarn A and the long-tail cast-on method, cast on
84 ( 96: 104: 116: 124: 136: 144) sts.
Row 1 (RS): K1, *K2, P2; rep from * to last 3 sts, K3.
Row 2 (WS): K1, *P2, K2; rep from * to last 3 sts, P2, K1.
These 2 rows set rib with K1 selvedge. Work in rib as set until Back meas 5.5cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.
Change to 4mm needles.
Beg with a RS (knit) row, work in st st until Back meas 38.5cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.
SHAPE ARMHOLES
Cast off 3 ( 4: 4: 5: 5: 6: 6) sts at beg of next 2 rows.
78 ( 88: 96: 106: 114: 124: 132) sts.
Dec row (RS): K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 2 sts dec’d.
Sizes 12-14 to 28-30 only
Dec row (WS): K1, P2tog, purl to last 3 sts, P2tog tbl, K1. 2 sts dec’d.
Dec row (RS): K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 2 sts dec’d.
Rep last 2 rows - (-:0: 0: 0: 1: 1) more time.
All sizes
76 ( 86: 90: 100: 108: 114: 122) sts.
Next row (WS): K1, purl to last st, K1. Dec row (RS): K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 2 sts dec’d.
Rep last 2 rows another 3 times.
68 ( 78: 82: 92: 100: 106: 114) sts.
Sizes 8-10 to 28-30 only
Next row (WS): K1, purl to last st, K1.
Next row (RS): Knit to end.
Next row (WS): K1, purl to last st, K1.
Dec row (RS): K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 2 sts dec’d.
Rep last 4 rows another - ( 1: 1: 3: 4: 5: 7) times.
All sizes
68 ( 74: 78: 84: 90: 94: 98) sts.
**Work straight in st st with K1 selvedge edges until Back meas 57 ( 58: 59: 60: 61: 62: 63) cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.
SHAPE LEFT BACK NECK
Next row (RS): K23 ( 25: 27: 29: 32: 33: 35), cast off next 22 ( 24: 24: 26: 26: 28: 28) sts, knit to end.
Turn and work on last 23 ( 25: 27: 29: 32: 33: 35) sts for Left Back Neck only. ***Work 1 row straight.
Cast off 3 sts at beg of next row. 20 ( 22: 24: 26: 29: 30: 32) sts.
Cast off rem sts.
SHAPE RIGHT BACK NECK
Rejoin yarn with RS facing to Right Back sts at shoulder edge.
Work as for Left Back Neck from *** to end.
FRONT
Work as given for Back to **.
68 ( 74: 78: 84: 90: 94: 98) sts.
Work straight in st st until Front meas 49 ( 50: 51: 52: 53: 54: 55) cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.
SHAPE RIGHT FRONT NECK
Next row (RS): K29 ( 32: 34: 36: 39: 40: 42), cast off next 10 ( 10: 10: 12: 12: 14: 14) sts, knit to end.
Turn and work on last 29 ( 32: 34: 36: 39: 40: 42) sts for Right Front Neck only.
****Work 1 row straight.
Cast off 2 ( 3: 3: 3: 3: 3: 3) sts at beg of next row. 27 ( 29: 31: 33: 36: 37: 39) sts.
Work 1 row straight.
Cast off 2 sts at beg of next row and foll alt row.
23 ( 25: 27: 29: 32: 33: 35) sts.
Work 1 row straight.
Dec 1 st at neck edge of next row and 2 foll alt rows.
20 ( 22: 24: 26: 29: 30: 32) sts.
Work straight until Front matches Back to cast-off edge, ending at shoulder edge.
Cast off rem sts.
Yarn for embroidery:
Rowan Alpaca Classic (4ply weight;
57% alpaca, 43% cotton; 120m/131yds per 25g ball)
Small amounts required in your desired colours. Sample uses the following shades: Flower centres: Sun Valley (113); Cinnamon (118) Petals: Vermilion (120); Pink Lips (124); Hyacinth (129); Dark Burgundy (122);
Salmon (128); Dahlia (121); Deep Teal (109); Peacock (107); Golden Girl (114)
Leaves: Foliage Green (110); Green Moss (111) 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) circular needles, 40cm long
1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles Stitch holders 19 sts and 31½ rows to 10cm over st st on 4mm needles
Rowan 01484 668200 www.knitrowan.com
SHAPE LEFT FRONT NECK
Rejoin yarn with RS facing to Left Front Neck sts at shoulder edge.
Work as for Right Front Neck from **** to end.
(both alike)
Using 3.25mm needles, yarn A and the long-tail cast-on method, cast on
48 ( 48: 52: 52: 56: 56: 60) sts.
Row 1 (RS): K1, *K2, P2; rep from * to last 3 sts, K3.
Row 2 (WS): K1, *P2, K2; rep from * to last 3 sts, P2, K1.
These 2 rows set rib with K1 selvedge. Work in rib as set until Sleeve meas 5.5cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.
Change to 4mm needles.
Beg with a RS (knit) row, work 4 rows in st st, working a K1 selvedge st at beg and end of each row.
Inc row (RS): K1, M1, knit to last st, M1, K1. 2 sts inc’d.
Work 11 ( 9: 9: 7: 7: 5: 5) rows straight.
Rep inc row. 2 sts inc’d.
Rep last 12 ( 10: 10: 8: 8: 6: 6) rows another 3( 6: 7: 10: 10: 13: 14) times. 58 ( 64: 70: 76: 80: 86: 92) sts.
Continue straight in st st until Sleeve meas 43 ( 44: 44: 45: 45: 46: 46) cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.
SHAPE SLEEVE TOP
Cast off 3 ( 4: 4: 5: 5: 6: 6) sts at beg of next 2 rows.
52 ( 56: 62: 66: 70: 74: 80) sts.
Dec row (RS): K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 2 sts dec’d.
Sizes 12-14 to 28-30 only
Dec row (WS): K1, P2tog, purl to last 3 sts, P2tog tbl, K1. 2 sts dec’d.
Dec row (RS): K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 2 sts dec’d.
Rep last 2 rows - (-:0: 0: 0: 1: 1) more time.
All sizes
50 ( 54: 56: 60: 64: 64: 70) sts.
Next row (WS): K1, purl to last st, K1. Dec row (RS): K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 2 sts dec’d.
Rep last 2 rows another 4 ( 5: 6: 7: 8: 7: 9) times.
40 ( 42: 42: 44: 46: 48: 50) sts.
Next row (WS): K1, purl to last st, K1. Next row (RS): Knit to end.
Next row (WS): K1, purl to last st, K1.
Dec row (RS): K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 2 sts dec’d.
Rep last 4 rows another 4 ( 3: 2: 2: 1: 3: 2) times. 30 ( 34: 36: 38: 42: 40: 44) sts.
Next row (WS): K1, purl to last st, K1. Dec row (RS): K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 2 sts dec’d.
Rep last 2 rows another 4 ( 5: 6: 7: 8: 7: 9) times.
20 ( 22: 22: 22: 24: 24: 24) sts.
Work 1 row straight.
Cast off.
NECKBAND
Join shoulder seams.
With RS facing, using 3.25mm circular needles and yarn A, pick up and knit
20 ( 21: 21: 21: 21: 21: 21) sts down left neck,
10 ( 10: 10: 12: 12: 14: 14) sts across front neck, 20 ( 21: 21: 21: 21: 21: 21) sts up right side of neck, and 30 ( 32: 32: 30: 30: 36: 36) sts across back neck. 80 ( 84: 84: 84: 84: 92: 92) sts. Pm and join to work in the round. Rib round: *K2, P2; rep from * to end. Work another 9 rounds in rib as set.
Cast off in rib.
MAKING UP
Set in sleeves. Join side and sleeve seams. Block gently to measurements, following any yarn care instructions on the ball band.
EMBROIDERY
Embroidery is worked on the front left side of the sweater. Use photographs as a placement guide.
You can use a hoop to keep the knitted fabric in tension, but take care not to stretch it too much because that can distort your embroidery. You can either use a tapestry needle or chenille needle, but you will not need a sharp point.
Flower petals are worked with clusters of French knots to form the centre first. Then, using the petal colour of choice, work satin stitch at staggered lengths, to create a ‘dial’ of stitches around the French knots. You can add shorter lengths of satin stitch near the centre on larger flowers if desired.
Leaves are also worked in satin stitch. Work a long centre line in back stitch first as a guide for centre of leaf and then work outwards in satin stitch.
Satin stitch: Take needle from WS of work out to RS, make a long stitch and then take needle to WS of work again. Repeat, making stitches closely together and ensuring not to pull work tight on WS. French knots: Take needle from WS of work out to RS. Wrap yarn fairly tightly around needle several times and then take needle to WS of work again, pulling to create a knot from the wrapped threads.
For embroidery tutorials, see our website at www.gathered.how/needlework/ embroidery/how-to-embroider/ or our special magazine Beginner’s
Guide to Embroidery (£9.99; order from https://bit.ly/bge2020 or by calling
03330 162 139).