Knitting Pattern for Karen sweater

Karen is a raglan sweater designed in cable knitting, inspired by 1940s housewife knitting, with a contemporary and modern touch. In the 1940s, cable knitting, diamond patterns of various kinds, and a close-fitted silhouette were the latest fashion. All of this is incorporated into the Karen sweater, where the cable knitting is shaped like various kinds of diamonds that intersect. 

The sweater comes in two versions. The 1st version features a large, chunky roll neck, short wide sleeves, an hourglass silhouette, and a relaxed fit with 9-14 cm [3.5-5.5 inches] of positive ease. The 2nd version is designed with a high single collar, long wide sleeves, a boxy oversized silhouette, and 17-25 cm [6.5-9.75 inches] of positive ease.

The sweater is seamless, and charts are included for each size. Karen sweater is not suitable for beginners.

The pattern is a PDF file. Immediately after purchase you will be able to download the pattern directly from the purchase confirmation page. You will also receive an e-mail with a link to your pattern, and the pattern will be available here at the site via your personal account - so remember to create an account :-) Read more about digital knitting patterns here.

Sizes: S (M) L (XL) 2XL (3XL) 4XL (5XL) 6XL

Measurements
Version 1
Featuring roll neck, hourglass fit and short sleeves
Bust circumference: 96 (101) 103 (108) 113 (117) 122 (132) 136 cm [37.75 (39.75) 40.5 (42.5) 44.5 (46) 48 (52) 53.5 inches]
Waist circumference: 78 (82) 87 (92) 97 (99) 104 (111) 115 cm [30.75 (32.25) 34.25 (36.25) 38.25 (39) 41 (43.75) 45.25 inches]
Hip circumference: 96 (101) 103 (108) 113 (115) 120 (125) 129 cm [37.75 (39.75) 40.5 (42.5) 44.5 (45.25) 47.25 (49.25) 50.75 inches]
Under arm sleeve length: 11 (12) 12 (12) 13 (13) 14 (15) 15 cm [4.25 (4.75) 4.75 (4.75) 5 (5) 5.5 (6) 6 inches]
Length (measured below the neckline on the front): 53 (54) 55 (56) 57 (58) 59 (60) 61 cm [21 (21.25) 21.75 (22) 22.5 (23) 23.25 (23.5) 24 inches]

Version 2
Featuring high neck, boxy oversized fit and long sleeves 
Bust circumference: 104 (108) 113 (118) 122 (129) 134 (144) 148 cm [41 (42.5) 44.5 (46.5) 48 (50.75) 52.75 (56.75) 58.25 inches]
Under arm sleeve length: 39 (39) 39 (39) 39 (37) 37 (37) 35 cm [15.5 (15.5) 15.5 (15.5) 15.5 (14.5) 14.5 (14.5) 13.75 inches]
Length (measured below the neckline on the front): 53 (54) 55 (56) 57 (58) 59 (60) 61 cm [21 (21.25) 21.5 (22) 22.5 (22.75) 23.25 (23.5) 24 inches]

Size guide 
The sizes S (M) L (XL) 2XL (3XL) 4XL (5XL) 6XL fits a bust circumference of 86-90 (90-94) 94-98 (98-102) 102-106 (106-112) 112-118 (118-124) 124-130 cm [34-35.5 (35.5-37) 37-38.5 (38.5-40.25) 40.25-41.75 (41.75-44) 44-46.5 (46.5-49) 49-51.25 inches]. Version 1 has approximately 9-14 cm [3.5- 5 .5 inches] of positive ease, and version 2 has approximately 17-25 cm [6.75-10 inches] of positive ease. If you are between two sizes then choose the largest. You can always make it smaller at the waist or bigger at the hips, but it is essential your sweater fits nicely over the bust. For version 1: the measurements for the waist and hips are made from standard measurements - luckily every body is different! Therefore, try on sweater along the way while you are knitting to decide if your waist or hips are higher or lower, bigger or smaller so you can adjust it along the way.

Materials:
Version 1, Featuring roll neck, hourglass fit and short sleeves
400 (450) 450 (500) 500 (550) 550 (600) 650 g / 8 (9) 9 (10) 10 (11) 11 (12) 13 balls Önling No 1, 75% Merino Superfine Super 100s Wool, 25% Angora, 50 g =  app. 197 yards (180 m), fingering weight: medium worsted
You work with 2 strands held together throughout.
NOTE! If you wish to knit version 1 with long sleeves, you need to purchase another 150 g Önling No 1 for all sizes.

Or

600 (650) 700 (750) 750 (800) 850 (900) 950 g / 12 (13) 14 (15) 15 (16) 17 (18) 19 balls Önling No 3, 100% fine organic merino wool, 50 g = approx. 145 yards (133 meters), fingering weight: DK / Worsted
You work with 2 strands held together throughout.
NOTE! If you wish to knit version 1 with long sleeves, you need to purchase another 200 g Önling No 3 for all sizes.

Version 2, featuring high neck, boxy oversized fit and long sleeves
600 (650) 650 (700) 750 (750) 800 (850) 850 g / 12 (13) 13 (14) 15 (15) 16 (17) 17 balls Önling No 1, 75% Merino Superfine Super 100s Wool, 25% Angora, 50 g =  app. 197 yards (180 m), fingering weight: medium worsted
You work with 2 strands held together throughout.

Or

900 (950) 1000 (1050) 1100 (1150) 1200 (1300) 1350 g / 18 (19) 20 (21) 22 (23) 24 (26) 27 balls Önling No 3, 100% fine organic merino wool, 50 g = approx. 145 yards (133 meters), fingering weight: DK / Worsted
You work with 2 strands held together throughout.

Recommend needles
Circular needle 6,5 mm (40 & 80 cm) [US 10.5 (16 & 32 inches)]
Circular needle 5,5 mm (40 & 80 cm) [US 9 (16 & 32 inches)]
Cable needle (optional)

8 stitch markers
Stitch holders or a scrap of yarn to put stitches on hold

Gauge:
Cable knitting: 2 strands held together 19 sts x 21 rows on needle 6,5 mm [US 10,5] = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches]
Reverse stockinette stitch: 2 strands held together 15 sts x 21 rows on needle 6,5 mm [US 10,5] = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches]

Procedure:
The sweater is knitted in the round worked from the top down. First you knit the collar, then shape the neckline by using German Short Rows, resulting in a good fit along the upper back. Then continue down the yoke while making raglan increases before dividing the work into body and sleeves. In version 1 the body is shaped with decreases at the waist, followed by increases at the hips. Version 2 is knitted straight down. At last you knit the sleeves in the round. The whole sweater is finished with an I-cord-edge.

This pattern is a digital file that will be available for download immediately after purchase.

ABOUT PATTERNS FROM ÖNLING

All patterns from Önling are delivered digitally - and 95% of these will be sent immediately after purchase. Read more about how to get hold of your digital knitting pattern here.

The exception is patterns from Katrines Favorite Corner:

- When you buy a pattern for a design from Katrine's Favorite Corner, you will receive a digital pattern by mail (and in your Ravelry library). Please allow 1-2 days for your pattern to be sent, as this is handled manually by our brilliant customer service team. See the designs in question here.

WASHING INSTRUCTIONS

Wool can last for years, but it requires good care. Washing is tough on your woolen garments and in general wool needs to be washed much less than other materials as it has a self-cleaning effect.

Find our instructions for how to wash your knitwear here.

Proper Care and Washing for Your Wool Knits – Make Them Last Longer

Wool garments can last for years, but they need proper care. Washing is one of the main culprits of wear on knitwear. Luckily, wool contains lanolin, which has a self-cleaning effect, so you rarely need to wash your wool knits.

• Lanolin has a self-cleaning effect because it reacts with moisture and salt, helping to neutralize odors like sweat.
• Hang your wool clothes on a chair overnight – they’ll be fresh by morning. You can also hang them outside for a few hours in humid weather.
• Regularly comb your wool knits with a wool comb to remove pilling and fuzziness. This gives your tired knits a "facelift" and prolongs the time between washes.

Machine Washing Wool

While we generally recommend hand washing wool garments to maintain control over temperatures, agitation, etc., if you prefer machine washing, follow these recommendations:

• Only machine wash your wool, if you know your machine well; test its wool program before washing your favorite sweater.
• Ensure that the wool program washes and rinses at the same temperature (max 30°C). Large temperature fluctuations cause wool to shrink and felt.
• Always use liquid wool detergent without enzymes. Regular detergent contains enzymes that will gradually eat away at the wool, leading to holes. You might not see the damage immediately, but holes can appear after 15-25 washes.
• Spin your wool at no more than 400 RPM to avoid felting. Alternatively, use the 'rinse hold' option and roll the clean knit in a dry towel to remove excess water.
• Always dry wool flat on a drying rack – preferably on a towel, and never in direct heat.

Hand Washing Wool

• Ensure you wash and rinse in water of the same temperature – around 30°C. Large temperature differences cause wool to shrink and felt.
• Always use liquid wool detergent without enzymes. Regular detergent will damage the wool over time, eventually leading to holes.
• Gently press your woolen garment in soapy water, avoiding wringing or pulling during washing.
• Roll the clean knit in a dry towel to remove as much water as possible.
• Always dry wool flat on a drying rack – preferably on a towel, and never in direct heat.

Washing Önling No 12 and No 16

• Keep in mind that the yarn hasn't been washed before it was spun onto cones and sent to you.
• For the best results, soak the finished sweater in lukewarm water for at least two hours (longer is fine). This will help the yarn bloom, making it softer and fuller.
• After soaking, wash the sweater as you would wool knits.

Washing No 14

• Önling No 14 should be washed gently at a maximum of 30°C, for example on the wool program in the washing machine.
• It can be spun at a maximum of 800 RPM.
• Avoid using a tumble dryer. Instead, dry your knit flat on a drying rack – preferably on a towel, and never in direct heat.

Washing No 21

• Önling No 21 is colorfast and spun from linen and cotton, which can handle a gentle machine wash (max 30°C).
• Spin your knit at a maximum of 800 RPM.
• Avoid using a tumble dryer. Instead, dry your knit flat on a drying rack – preferably on a towel, and never in direct heat.