Levitate Wrap
The cardigan I didn’t know I needed
The Basics
Completed: May 2023
Time period worked on: May 1 to May 29, 2023
Cost to make: $75.00 CAD
Pattern: Levitate Wrap
Designer: My Favourite Things Knitwear
Size: XS
Yarn: Cascaded Ecological Wool, 250 g/437 m. Colour: 8016 Beige
Amount used: 2 skeins
Needle size: 5.5 mm
Snap fasteners purchased from Etsy shop ""MiboBottoniAccessori"
Measurements
I washed and blocked my garment and laid it flat to dry without pins.
I knit this to pattern for size XS ie) same number of stitches/rows; no modifications.
Any measurements that have a difference greater than 1" / 2.5 cm will be noted below; otherwise, assume my garment measures the same as an XS (+/- 1" / 2.5 cm).
My finished garment measurements:
Chest Circumference: 42" / 107 cm *(~7 cm smaller than pattern. This measurement is a bit tricky since this is a wrap.)
Total Length: 17" / 43 cm
Sleeve length from underarm: 18.5" / 47 cm
Cuff Circumference: 9" / 24 cm
Upper sleeve circumference: 15" / 38cm
My body measurements are accessed via link below labelled “Mel’s body measurements”. I understand this information can cause harm to some, but are helpful to others. By having this information on a private page, the choice is yours whether you want to view this information or not.
The Pattern
Levitate Wrap by My Favourite Things Knitwear
Designer’s website
8 sizes offered: XS to 4XL
Finished Bust Circumference:
XS - 45.75" / 115cm
S - 48.5" / 123cm
M - 50.5" / 128cm
L - 51.5" / 131cm
XL - 53.5" / 136cm
2XL - 55.5" / 141 cm
3XL - 58" / 147cm
4XL - 59.5" / 152cm
Taking into account the recommend positive ease built into the pattern, the sizes correspond to an actual bust circumference range of 31.5" to 55" / 80 cm to 140cm. The Levitate wrap has an oversized fit with greater positive ease in the smaller sizes than the larger sizes.
Positive ease of approx. 11.75 to 13.75" / 30 to 35 cm in sizes XS-XL
Positive ease of approx. 8" / 20 cm in sizes 2XL-4XL
Suggested yarn weight: lace + DK
Pattern gauge: 15 sts and 22 rows = 4 x 4" / 10 x 10 cm in stockinette st on larger needles, blocked
Suggested needles sizes: 6.0 mm and 5.0 mm
About the pattern
Skills/techniques/attributes:
Working flat
Drop shoulder
Worked top-down
Double knitting
The good:
Includes an "Introduction to workflow" which describes in brief the order in which the garment is knit - a big picture look at what's to come.
Instructions for special techniques provided in pattern along with some video links.
The not-so-good:
There are no detailed measurements provided. The only finished garment measurements provided are chest circumference and total length. You will need to read through the pattern to determine any other measurements.
Within the pattern it will say, "your sleeve now measures X" or "Work now measures X"
In some areas, you will need to calculate measurements based on gauge and stitch counts, ie. armhole circumference.
There is only a single picture of the finished wrap in the pattern.
There are no instructions for changing how the fronts wrap over each other ie. If you follow the pattern, the right front wraps over the left front.
Incorrect stitch count at joining row for size XS. Pattern says 172, but should be 174. I cannot confirm if this error appears for the other sizes.
My recommendations:
The patterns instructs to use 2 snap fasteners. I found using both fasteners made the wrap look awkward whenever I lifted my arms; specifically the innermost snap fastener was the one causing it to hang awkwardly. I found that using a single snap fastener on the outside edge (closest to the knot/tie end) was better and didn't affect closing the wrap.
If you have a long torso, be sure to try on your wrap before the shaping instructions. I wear almost exclusively high-waist bottoms and like the cropped length on me, but this is something you may need to adjust depending on the size you choose to knit.
The Yarn
Cascade Yarns is my go-to whenever I need to make a yarn substitution. I was lucky enough to find this in-store as well. I love that this yarn is undyed and has natural tonal irregularities. For me, this colour is the perfect neutral and goes with everything.
The yarn is lofty and light despite being a bulky weight yarn. This yarn does pill a fair amount and needs regular maintenance to remove the pills. I use an electric shaver and don't find the maintenance to be inconvenient. I consider de-pilling to be on the same level as needing to use a lint remover - it's kind of one of those necessary things to keep your clothes looking nice.
If I ever need a bulky weight yarn again, I will definitely being considering this yarn.
