Local Meadow
ABOUT
A "look at me" sweater that's just as ready for 'Zoom business casual' as a cozy evening on the couch, Local Meadow is deliciously soft, oversized, and graceful.
I particularly love this sweater for lunch dates and bookstore trips, or any time you want to feel like the "most YOU" version of yourself.
Lightweight fabric with just enough structure, a relaxed fit with dropped shoulders, and a shaped cap to reduce fabric in the underarm - this sweater will be the most comfortable, wearable, sweater in your wardrobe.
"Local Meadow filled a gap in my wardrobe of the perfect lightweight cabled sweater. It can be dressed up with a skirt or dressed down over a pair of jeans.
Jen did an excellent job of designing a sweater that fits beautifully on a wide range of sizes. This sweater includes shaping for a lovely drape to flatter the shape of your body.
Knitting this sweater is a labor of love -- expect to knit lots of tiny stitches with thin yarn and small needles, and seam the sweater at the end -- but know that every stitch is worth it for a sweater you'll cherish and wear for a long time. After completing my sweater, I'm already starting to feel nostalgic for the rhythm of those lovely cables! "
Pictured: Amanda knit the size B, using Dark Crystal from Knitting Niqabi
CONSTRUCTION
Local Meadow is a bottom-up, seamed sweater with a dropped shoulder. The sleeve is set in with a shallow cap, reducing bulk in the underarm and providing a consistent fit for all sizes. You can think of this as a hybrid/drop construction.
I understand - some knitters will choose to work the body and sleeves seamlessly to the underarm. The pattern includes general notes on how to do this to give those knitters a running start.
SIZES
A (B, C, D) [E, F, G] (H, I, J)
To fit actual upper chest measurement: 29.5 (32.75, 36, 39.25) [42.5, 45.75, 49] (52.25, 55.5, 58.75) inches / 73.5 (81.5, 89.5, 98) [106, 114, 122] (130.5, 138.5, 146.5) cm
Finished full bust measurement: 35.75 (39.75, 43.75, 47.75) [52.25, 56.25, 60.25] (64.25, 68.25, 72.25) inches / 89.5 (99.5, 109.5, 119.5) [131, 141, 151] (161, 171, 181) cm
Finished upper sleeve circumference: 11.25 (12.5, 13.25, 14.5) [15.25, 16.75, 18.25] (19.5, 21, 21.75) inches / 28 (31, 33, 36) [38, 42, 45.5] (49, 52.5, 54.5) cm
YOUR BEST FIT
I recommend you choose a size based on your upper chest measurement. Intended ease is approximately 8 inches / 20 cm of ease at the fullest part of the chest, and 2.25 inches / 5 cm at the upper arm. For more information on choosing a size using your upper chest measurement, visit this blog post.
I am wearing size D with 7.5 inches / 19 cm positive ease at the full chest. My sweater is knit in Golden Ticket, from Knitting Niqabi.
"I’m expecting that this will be a sweater that I can easily wear from Fall through Spring in the Midwest. It may be frigid outside, but often stores and offices have the heat cranked.
A fingering weight sweater was definitely a gap in my wardrobe. I am planning on wearing it over dresses, jeans, and let’s be real, leggings.
In size selection there is useful and insightful guidance in the pattern. It was helpful to have the designer’s insight into what might work given different body sizes and shapes, as well as having the final measurements for bust and bicep all readily available to make sure that the knitting journey ahead would bring me to the sweater destination I imagined.
Each part of the knit was well laid out and exciting to get to, excitedly cheering finishing the hem, or stockinette or achieving the grid stitch level was all quite fun to anticipate, while at the same time there was the consistency of the rhythm of the cables to keep my bearings.
This was an act of love and gift to myself and I loved every bit of making it and the results and I can't wait to wear the heck out of this sweater."
Pictured: Jenni knit the size G, using Pink Ladies from Knitting Niqabi
YARN
Knitting Niqabi Natural Hand Dyed Organic Yarn - Fingering Weight
100% Non-superwash Merino; 437 yards per 100g skein
This is a very smooth, very soft 4-ply yarn. It has medium body, medium drape, and it's low micron count make it suitable for next-to-the-skin wear.
1675 (1900, 2200, 2300) [2450, 2600, 2725] (2850, 2950, 3100) yds / 1530 (1740, 2010, 2100) [2240, 2380, 2490] (2610, 2700, 2830); m 4 (5, 6, 6) [6, 7, 7] (7, 7, 8) skeins.
Kelcey hand-dyes her yarns using natural dyes, creating vibrant colors that are so beautiful you'll want to keep them around as decor! You can read more about Kelcey and her process here.
TECHNIQUES
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Working cables
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Working directional increases and decreases in pattern
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Working a sewn bind-off
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Seaming
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Picking up and working stitches
"This sweater is so wearable, it is a rare gem of a project that is truly worth the investment of time and money that goes into a fingering weight sweater.
The pattern itself is simple enough to be meditative with enough variation to keep it interesting and feel as if you are progressing regularly. It was pleasurable to knit and the finished garment is an instant wardrobe favorite."
Pictured: Elizabeth knit the size C, using Pink Ladies from Knitting Niqabi
GAUGE
28 sts and 36 rows over 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch with size A needles.
28 sts and 46 rows over 4 inches / 10 cm in grid stitch with size A needles
Both gauges should be measured after wet-blocking and allowing to dry completely
TOOLS
Stich markers, tapestry needle, stitch holder or waste yarn for holding stitches, cable needle.
Pictured: Lili knit the size D, using Mirkwood from Knitting Niqabi
CREDITS
Photography: Hypnotic Imagery, LLC
Tech Edit: Heather Storta
Yarn: Knitting Niqabi
Testers: Tracey, Amy, Robin, Jenni, Amanda, Elizabeth Margaret, Boróka, Lili, Shari, Grace, Heleanna, Val
Pictured: Robin knit the size C, using Pink Ladies from Knitting Niqabi
