Alen is a laid-back sweater that symbolizes the pleasure of knitting. The folksy stitch pattern is one of many used in traditional Alentejo blankets from Portugal. It is perfect for beginners and lovers of stranded colorwork alike. The color possibilities are endless — swatch with leftovers from your stash, swap the colors so that you have a darker shade as the main color or even knit every section in a different color.

Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9)

Recommended ease 3–5” / 8–12 cm of positive ease.

Finished measurements
Chest circumference: 34.5 (37.5, 41.5, 45. 25, 49.5) (53.5, 57.5, 64, 66)“ / 87.5 (95.5, 106, 115, 126) (136, 146, 162.5, 168) cm.
Body length from underarm to hem: 11 (11, 11, 11.5, 11.5) (11.75, 11.75, 12.25, 12.25)” / 28 (28, 28, 29, 29) (30, 30, 31, 31) cm.
Yoke depth: 7.75 (8, 8.25, 8.75, 9) (9.75, 10, 10.5, 11)“ / 19.5 (20.5, 21, 22.5, 23)(24.5, 25.5, 27, 27.5) cm.
Neckline circumference: 18.5 (20, 20, 20.75, 20.75) (21.5, 21.5, 22.5, 22.5)” / 47 (51, 51, 53, 53) (55, 55, 57, 57) cm.
Upper arm circumference: 11.5 (12.5, 13.5, 14.5, 15.5) (17.25, 18.5, 20, 21.5)“ / 29.5 (31.5, 34.5, 36.5, 39.5) (43.5, 47, 51, 55) cm.
Cuff circumference: 8.75 (9.25, 9.25, 9.5, 10) (11.25, 11.5, 12, 12.5)” / 22.5 (23.5, 23.5, 24.5, 25.5) (28.5, 29.5, 30.5, 31.5) cm.
Sleeve length from underarm to cuff: 17 (17.5, 17.5, 17.75, 18) (18, 18.25, 18.25, 19)“ / 43.5 (44, 44, 45, 46) (46, 46.5, 46.5, 48) cm.
Total length: 18.5 (19, 19.25, 20.25, 20.5)(21.5, 21.75, 23, 23)” / 47 (48, 49, 51.5, 52)(54.5, 55, 58, 59) cm.

Materials
Yarn
MC – 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) (6, 6, 7, 7) skeins of Silky Yak DK by Fru Valborg Yarns (60% merino, 20% yak, 20% silk, 232 yds /
212 m – 100 g), colorway Natural Grey.

Or approx. 722 (794, 873, 978, 1084) (1210, 1317, 1499, 1600) yds / 660 (726, 798, 894, 991) (1106, 1204, 1370, 1463) of DK weight yarn.

CC1 – 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 1, 1) skein of Silky Yak DK by Fru Valborg Yarns (60% merino, 20% yak, 20% silk, 232 yds / 212 m – 100 g),
colorway Caramel.

Or approx. 104 (115, 126, 141, 157) (175, 190, 216, 231) yds / 95 (105, 115, 129, 143) (160, 174, 199, 212) m of DK weight yarn.

CC2 – 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 1, 1) skein of Silky Yak DK by Fru Valborg Yarns (60% merino, 20% yak, 20% silk, 232 yds / 212 m – 100 g),
colorway Ash.

Or approx. 17 (19, 21, 24, 26) (29, 32, 36, 38) yds / 17 (19, 20, 23, 25) (28, 31, 35, 38) m of DK weight yarn.

Needles
US 4 / 3.5 mm and US 6 / 4 mm 16” / 40 cm circular needles (and a set of DPNs if not working with Magic Loop
Method); US 4 / 3.5 mm and US 6 / 4 mm 24” / 60 cm circular needles; US 4 / 3.5 mm and US 6 / 4 mm 32” / 80 cm circular needles.
Or size to obtain gauge.

Gauge
20 sts x 28 rnds to 4” / 10 cm on US 6 / 4 mm needles in St St, after blocking.
20 sts x 28 rnds to 4” / 10 cm on US 6 / 4 mm needles in st pattern, after blocking.