Many of you have already discovered the work of Japanese designer Noriko Ichikawa with the beautiful “Zakkuri” cardigan, and we’re delighted to share with you this new pattern, created this time for Ulysse, which shares the same elegant simplicity with an undeniable touch of style!
“Minna no Sweater” – Sweater for everyone in Japanese – is a timeless and comfortable sweater worked from the top down, designed to dress your whole family and available in all colours!
This pattern is available in 4 sizes for children from 7-8 years to 13-14 years old and 12 sizes for adults as well as a men’s version with extended body and sleeve measurements. Thanks to the top-down construction, the body and sleeve lengths can be altered at will to suit all body shapes (which is also handy for lengthening sleeves that have become too short at the end of the season, or for unraveling a few rows of a worn-out cuff!)
This pattern has been created with great attention to detail so that it fits perfectly (such as a clever option for rounding off the back of the neckline with short rows) and special attention to accompanying its realization with diagrams to help visualise the more technical steps. It will be a good introduction to seamless knitting for those who would like to discover this technique, and a relaxing and satisfying project for others!
CONSTRUCTION
The Minna no sweater starts at the neck and is worked back and forth until the neck shaping is completed — you can choose here the “back neck drop option” using short rows. After the fronts are joined, the yoke is worked in the round to the underarms with raglan increases. The sleeves are then separated and the body is knit in the round to the hem, and the sleeves are knit in the round to the cuff. Finally, stitches are picked up around the neck and the neckband is worked in ribbing.
PICK YOUR SIZE
The pattern has 16 sizes (4 children sizes and 12 adult sizes) corresponding to the following final measurements:
Chest circumference: 74.5 (78, 82, 87.5) 91.5, 95, 99 {106.5, 110.5, 114.5} 122, 127.5, 136 [146.5, 157, 163] cm / 29 1⁄4 (30 3⁄4, 32 1⁄4, 34 1⁄2) 36, 37 1⁄2, 39 {42, 43 1⁄2, 45} 48, 50 1⁄4, 53 1⁄2 [57 3⁄4, 61 3⁄4, 64 1⁄4]”
Upper arm circumference: 33.5 (34.5, 34.5, 35) 35, 35, 37 {40, 41, 43} 44, 45, 47.5 [52.5, 56, 58] cm / 13 (13 1⁄2, 13 1⁄2, 13 3⁄4) 13 3⁄4, 13 3⁄4, 14 1⁄2 {15 3⁄4, 16 1⁄4, 16 1⁄2} 17 1⁄4, 17 3⁄4, 18 3⁄4 [20 3⁄4, 22, 22 3⁄4]”
The dark grey sample is a size 2 worn with 8 cm / 3 1⁄4″ ease in the bust and 11 cm / 4 1⁄4″ ease in the upper arm.
Sample knitted in size 11-12 years in Ulysse “poivre blanc”
Sample knitted in a man’s version in size 4 in the colorway “nuit”.
TECHNIQUES AND SKILLS
This pattern is for “false beginner” to intermediate knitters and will require to know how to cast on, bind off, increase and decrease, knit in the round and pick up stitches, knit German short rows (optional), make Tubular Bind Off for 2×2 Rib (optional).
It includes links to video tutorials for special techniques used, such as Tubular Bind Off for 2×2 Rib and German Short Rows and diagrams to visualize the different steps.
Pattern: « Minna no sweater » by Noriko Ichikawa available in French and in English on our website (in 16 sizes ; 4 children sizes and 12 adult sizes)
Yarn: Ulysse (Mérinos d’Arles français et mérinos noir portugais, 250 m / 100g ) pictured above in colorway granit, 4 (5, 5, 5) 5, 6, 6 {7, 7, 7} 7, 8, 8 [8, 9, 9] skeins OR 770 (830, 895, 955) 1015, 1055, 1135 {1235, 1275, 1320} 1380, 1440, 1520 [1580, 1680, 1720] yds / 705 (760, 815, 870) 925, 965, 1040 {1130, 1170, 1205} 1260, 1315, 1390 [1445, 1540, 1575] m.
Longer body & sleeves version for Men: – (-, -, -) -, -, – {7, 7, 8} 8, 8, 9 [9, 10, 10] skeins OR – (-, -, -) -, -, – {1340, 1400, 1460} 1520, 1580, 1660 [1765, 1865, 1905] yds / – (-, -, -) -, -, – {1225, 1280, 1335} 1390, 1445, 1520 [1610, 1705, 1740] m.
Gauge: 21 sts and 31 rnds = 10 cm / 4″ in stockinette stitch with larger needle, after blocking.
About the designer: After establishing a modern secondhand bookshop and publishing several books, Noriko resumed knitting, a skill my grandmother taught her, after having a child. She finds joy in creating simple, comfortable, and beautiful in-shape designs. She resides in the small coastal town of Kanagawa, Japan with her husband and daughter.
You can follow her on Ravelry and Instagram:
Ravelry : Norikoichikawa
Instagram : noriko_ichikawa_
Noriko is also the designer of the Zakkuri cardigan knitted in Gilliatt and available in French and English:
Photo credits: Noriko Ichikawa