Blueberry Vodka Lemonade by Thea Colman

Blueberry Vodka Lemonade

Knitting
July 2023
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
24 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette, on smaller US#5/3.75mm needles
US 5 - 3.75 mm
US 6 - 4.0 mm
1000 - 1800 yards (914 - 1646 m)
36(39.25,42.75,45.25,49.25)(52.75,56.75,61.25,66)” 91.5(99.75,108.5,115,125)(134,144.25,155.5,167.75)cm
English
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I’ve always wanted to use the details from my Vodka Lemonade cardigan again, and a lightweight pullover with just a bit of detail is exactly the kind of thing everyone needs.

Something comfy yet polished, and simple enough to be worn 100 different ways. With that in mind, I designed this little top!

Worked top down in the round, it features the textured detail from the Vodka Lemonade cardigan at both raglan seams and down the sides of the body. That detail originates out of the collar rib pattern and continues down the yoke. It then resumes under each arm, ending along the split hem edges - two small touches that I love.

I designed the sweater to have a somewhat boxy fit, which will be great for layering in winter and is also comfortable to wear in the summer.

The sleeves might be my favorite part though, worked to the forearm with a generous fit, then shaped down to a sweet little ribbing just below the elbow.

The sweater is incredibly easy to modify, and notes are provided in the pattern at places where you may consider altering things. You can substitute any kind of sleeve you prefer - from short to long, and adjust the amount of ease in your arm as you like. See the test knits for a few variations.

I used yarn from my stash for this one. It’s a gorgeous pale blue fingering wool from Green Mountain Spinnery. Lana is a 2-ply wool, and it knits up into a light and lofty fabric at the pattern gauge of 24sts/32rounds per 4”/10cm on a US#5/3.75 needle. The pale blues, grays and whites of the heather in this wool are stunning in my Bahia colorway, and the resulting shade is a perfect neutral against almost anything in my wardrobe.

Lana is available in a few more shades and a bunch of naturals and it’s also very reasonably priced at $24.00 for 400 yards!


Blueberry Vodka Lemonade is worked from the top down in the round. The collar is shaped with short rows, and the split hem is worked flat in pieces. Sleeves, neckline, and body can easily be shaped as desired and notes are in the pattern on modifying.

Sizes
36(39.25,42.75,45.25,49.25)(52.75,56.75,61.25,66)” 91.5(99.75,108.5,115,125)(134,144.25,155.5,167.75)cm

Sample shown worn with 5”/12.75cm of positive ease, based on bust circumference. Sizing is based on final blocked fabric and reflects actual measurement of finished sweater.

Yardage per Size
1000(1100,1200,1300,1400)(1500,1600,1700,1800)yds 915(1005,1100,1190,1280)(1375,1465,1555,1645)m
Yardage estimates calculated using fingering weight yarn.

Substitute yarns or modifications for fit will affect estimates.

Yarn Thoughts
Sample is knit in Green Mountain Spinnery Lana, a 2-ply fingering weight yarn spun in a lightweight wool fiber. (100% Fine Wool, 400yds/366m per 3.5oz/ 100g skein, shown in Bahia).

This sweater is simple enough to look fantastic in any number of yarns, and you can play with the density and feel of your fabric by using either a fingering, a DK or a sport weight yarn knit to the pattern gauge. You could even combine a fingering with a suri or mohair strand for a soft halo!.

Your yarn could be a heather like mine - or a solid or a subtly variegated colorway. I also think this would also look fantastic with some speckle or a halo. I’d just stay away from anything too variegated, so the detail stands out.

Please note that using substitute yarns may affect the drape of your fabric and the yardage needed for your sweater.