Knitting pattern for Esther sweater with pretty texture knitting

Esther is a basic raglan sweater with a beautiful structured pattern in offset rib. The sweater has a really good fit, which will hopefully mean that you will just love wearing this sweater. Fit is absolutely crucial for whether we are happy with our clothing or not, and therefore it's part of a creating a sustainable wardrobe.

Here we work Esther in our rustic Shetland wool together with silk mohair, and the result is a warm, soft and rustic sweater that is very versatile in use.

This kit contains: Yarn for the elected size and a digital pattern

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.

Designed by Katrine Hannibal for Önling.

Sizes: (XS)S(M)L(XL)2XL(3XL)4XL(5XL)6XL
Chest circumference: (98)104(111)116(124)131(138)147(153)162 cm / approx. (38.5)41(43.75)45.5(48.75)51.5(54.25)57.75(60.25)63.75 inches.
Length: (56)57(58)59(60)61(62)63(64)65 cm / approx. (22)22.5(22.75)23.25(23.5)24(24.5)24.75(25.25)25.5 inches
Sleeve length under sleeve: (46)46(46)46(46)43(42)41(41)39 cm / approx. (18)18(18)18(18)17(16.5)16.25(16.25)15.5 inches

Materials:
Önling No. 20, 100 % Shetland wool, 225 m pr. 50 g.
Col A (300)350(350)400(400)450(500)550(600) 600 g

Önling No. 10, 70% mohair, 30% silk, 210 m pr. 25 g.
Col B: (175)175(200)200(225)250(250)275(300)300 g

Hold 2 strands together throughout the work 

Recommended needles:  Circular needles no. 4 and 5 / US 6 and 8

Gauge: 18 sts and 26 rows in pattern on needle no. 5 / US 8 = 10 x 10

Procedure: The sweater is worked in the round, from the top down. Stitches are cast on using the provisional, crochet cast-on method to allow adjusting the size of the neck opening after finishing the sweater. Short rows are worked over shoulders and back of the neck to make the back of the neck higher. The yoke is worked with raglan increases, and the yoke stitches are then separated into sleeves and body, which are finished separately. The sleeves are worked in the round. After trying on the sweater for size, the provisional cast-on is unraveled, and the neck hem worked. 

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.