More stripes!
You might remember the Marin from last fall, which was a classic, striped short-sleeved top with a long split hem. As soon as I completed that top, I knew I could use a long-sleeve version in my wardrobe.
This pattern features the same top-down construction method and the same long, split, ribbed hem as the Marin, but varies through a different stripe sequence, long sleeves with long ribbed cuff, and a high, folded-over mock neck collar. I also varied the yarns used so that each contrast colour stripe is composed of two different yarns; one is two mohair strands held together, and the other is a sport-weight wool/alpaca/nylon mix held singly. This gives a slight glow to the edges of each stripe!
One way I am making these designs my own and recognizable as from The Bluebird Box is the way they are constructed. If you have been along this design journey with me for awhile, you know I have been focusing on top-down, seamless garments with compound increases within the yoke. This method helps the knitter easily fit the shoulders, which are the foundation of a good fit in any garment.
MARIN long-sleeve is a seamless set-in-sleeve design with compound increases that is worked from the top-down as a yoked garment, with increases placed strategically to provide an ideal fit in the shoulders, chest and sleeves. Beginning at the back neck, the yoke is rapidly increased at four points similar to a raglan yoke to create the back and front panels, while simultaneously shaping the neckline through short rows worked flat. Once the neckline is shaped, the sleeve shaping is done in the round within the yoke, and stripes are worked throughout the top. The garment is divided for sleeves and body and the body is worked straight in stockinette until it is divided into front and back for a long split hem. The sleeves are seamlessly shaped in the round as one piece to the long ribbed cuffs. In final steps, the neckline is picked up to work the collar, which is folded double and sewn with a half-graft.
If care is taken to finish the garment neatly, it can be worn inside out to show the reverse stockinette side, featuring lovely little mini stripes (a personal favourite of mine!). I also used a little trick so that changing colours in the round leaves no noticeable jog on the out or inside of the garment, making it look more “store-bought.”
I have put abundant effort into creating Progress Trackers for each size for this pattern. These tables help the knitter keep track of stitch counts per section, since more than one section is being increased at the same time within the yoke of the sweater. That means you know the total stitch count, but also how many stitches should be on the front or back panels, or how many should be within the sleeves, at any point within the yoke. This is how I prefer to work while I knit, and I have found that knitters really appreciate this extra addition to the pattern.
I hope you enjoy the Marin Long-sleeve! I love to see and share your projects! If you like, you can tag them with @the.bluebird.box and #MarinLongSleeve. Uploading a project page to Ravelry or pinning the pattern through Pinterest is really appreciated. Thank you for supporting my creative work!
Much love,
Anna
