Sibling Sweater My Size
Proof I gift knit
The Basics
This was a gift knit for my sister
Completed: October 2023
Time period worked on: August 25 to October 6, 2023
Cost to make: $189.00 CAD
Pattern: Sibling Sweater My Size
Designer: Laura Penrose
Size: 5
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash Merino (1-Cream and 74-Ash Rose), 201 m/ 100 g
Amount used: 4 skeins of cream and 3 skeins of Ash Rose
Needle size: 3.25 mm for knit rows; 3.5 mm for purl rows; 3.0 mm for 1x1 ribbing
*different needle sizes were used when working flat to minimize “rowing out”. I also went down in needle size. I consider myself to knit on the loose side and I really wanted to hit row gauge exactly.
Measurements
I washed and blocked my garment and only pinned to shape the shoulder detail. Everything else was laid flat to dry without pins.
I knit this to pattern for size 5 ie) same number of stitches/rows
Any measurements that have a difference greater than 1" / 2.5 cm from the pattern's measurements will be noted below; otherwise, assume my garment measures the same as a size 5 within (+/- 1" / 2.5 cm).
(-) will indicate my measurement is smaller than pattern
(+) will indicate my measurement is larger than pattern
This was a gift knit for my sister. At the time of writing I do not have any photos of her in the sweater, but I can say that it fits her great.
She has approx. 10" of positive ease at the chest.
Height: 5'3" / 160 cm
The finished garment measurements: (*indicates a measurement provided in the pattern)
*Chest Circumference: 49" / 124 cm (-2.75" / -7 cm)
*Total Length: 22" / 56 cm
Underarm to bottom hem: 12" / 30.5 cm
*Sleeve length from underarm: 19" / 49 cm
Cuff Circumference: 9.5" / 24 cm
*Upper arm circumference: 17" / 44 cm
Even though this was made for my sister, I am also providing my measurements for reference.
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
Sibling Sweater My Size by Laura Penrose
Designer’s website
10 sizes offered: 1 to 10
Finished Bust Circumference:
1 - 34.25" / 87 cm
2 - 38.75" / 98.5 cm
3- 43.5" / 110.5 cm
4 - 47.25" / 120 cm
5 - 51.75" / 131.5 cm
6 - 55.5" / 141 cm
7 - 58.75" / 149 cm
8 - 61.75" / 157 cm
9 - 65.5" / 166.5 cm
10 - 69.25" / 176 cm
The designer suggests that the sweater can be worn with any amount of ease, though it is recommended to have at least 2" / 5 cm of positive ease. Taking into account the recommended positive ease, the pattern is for an actual bust circumference range of 32.25 to 67.25" / 82 to 171 cm.
Suggested yarn weight: DK
Pattern gauge: 21 sts and 32 rows = 4 x 4" / 10 x 10 cm in stockinette st on larger needles, blocked
Suggested needles sizes: 4.0 mm and 3.5 mm
About the pattern
Skills/techniques/attributes:
Working flat and in-the-round
Drop-sleeve
Worked top-down
Crew-neck with fold-over collar
Stripes
The good
Wide size range
Notes on sleeve length describing how long the sleeve is intended to be and some advice should you wish to adjust length.
Pattern is well-written and as part of the test group, I can tell you that it had no construction errors/issues during the process. Laura always has a tech editor review her patterns.
The not-so-good:
Although there are 10 sizes, sizing does not include chest sizes smaller than 32" / 80 cm (after taking into account 2” / 5 cm of positive ease)
Not a deal breaker for me, but there is no schematic. The pattern includes the following measurements:
Chest circumference
Body length
Upper arm circumference
Sleeve length
My recommendations/thoughts:
Laura Penrose is an English style knitter and known to knit with a tight tension. I usually have to go down in needle size for her patterns. I knit continental and almost always achieve the correct gauge for PetiteKnit patterns (Mette also knits continental style).
The height of the stripes can make any length adjustments tricky, therefore, row gauge is very important in achieving the correct measurements.
After completing the back yoke increases, your work will look bunched up. Don't worry about this too much as it comes out after blocking (and without the need for aggressive pinning). You will see blocking pins utilized in my photos, but that was more so for the width of the shoulder detail and not for the bunching.
This sweater has a fold-over collar. Stitches for the collar are picked up after the body has been completed. The neck hole does look big before picking up the stitches, but trust the process! It does indeed work out.
The fold-over collar has instructions to do a purl round for the fold. I personally don't like using a purl round as I don't like the look. I chose to do some double knitting for the fold instead.
The Yarn
This was my first time using superwash yarn for a large sweater. As this was a gift for my sister, I wanted it to be easy to care for. I decided to splurge a bit and go for the superwash merino. This yarn was great to work with. I don't have a lot of experience with superwash yarn, especially in DK weight, but it never felt unpleasant. In fact, I fell in love with the yarn and decided to buy a blanket quantity for Laura Penrose's design, the "Sweet Shop Blanket".
I've heard stories about superwash yarn growing a lot, especially after blocking, but I did not have this experience. I found that if I wanted to achieve pattern measurements, a slight stretching with pins would be in order, but I decided against this because my measurements were close enough and would like to wait and see if it grows with wear.
If I ever need a DK weight superwash yarn, I will definitely choose this again. I think this would be a great option for kids and babies (as long as they don't have fiber allergies) and for gifting to anyone that will be machine washing the garment.
