A pretty sweater with a v-neck front and back and symmetrical slanting lace patterns. This sweater is knit from the top down – we work the neckline in four panels for the front and back right/left shoulders, then join them up to knit the body. Stitches are picked up round the armholes to form the sleeves.

The lace pattern repeat is quite wide, which means the gap between sizes is quite large. To counterbalance this and to make the sizing more inclusive, we worked samples in both wool and alpaca. The alpaca yarn loosens up a lot more after blocking, giving a different range of sizes to the wool yarn. We include sizings for both – yarn choice one gives a more snug fit than yarn choice two if you are undecided which to pick. Don’t feel you must use either wool or alpaca either, try different needle sizes to get the gauge of either yarn. The Dairsie Sweater sample photographed was knit in alpaca yarn, and the sister pattern Dairsie Cardiagn was knit with wool yarn. They were both worked in the smallest size and are shown on a model with a 34”/85 cm bust.

Purchase Dairsie Sweater together with its sister pattern Dairsie Cardigan and get the second pattern half price

Yarn Choice 1 – Tighter Gauge
Suggested Yarn: Eden Cottage Yarns Harewood 4ply
Colourway Stonecrop (100% British Superwash Bluefaced Leicester Wool) 385 m/420 yds per 110 g
739 (1070, 1430, 1800, 2100) yds
660 (970, 1300, 1630, 1910) m

Dimensions (Imperial):
To fit bust 30-32 (36-38, 42-44, 48-50, 54-56)”
Across back armpit to armpit: 14.5 (18, 21.5, 25, 28.5)”
Length Armpit to Hem: 16.5 (18.5, 20, 21, 21.5)”
Upper sleeve circumference: 10.5 (12.25, 14, 15.75, 17.5)”
Sleeve Length: 14 (14.5, 15, 15.5, 16)”

Dimensions (Metric):
To fit bust 75-80 (90-95, 105-110, 120-125, 135-140) cm
Across back armpit to armpit: 37 (45, 54, 63, 71) cm
Length Armpit to Hem: 41 (46, 50, 52, 54) cm
Upper sleeve circumference: 26 (31, 35, 39, 44) cm
Sleeve Length: 35 (36, 38, 39, 40) cm

Needles: 3.75 mm/US 5 75 cm/30” circular needle or as required to achieve correct gauge.

Gauge: 21 sts and 32 rows = 10cm in lace pattern after blocking.

Extras: Tapestry needle for weaving in loose ends, three stitch holders.

Yarn Choice 2 – Looser Gauge
Suggested Yarn: Eden Cottage Yarns Askham 4ply
Colourway Steel (70% Baby Alpaca, 30% Mulberry Silk) 200 m/218 yds per 50 g
840 (1240, 1650, 2030, 2420) yds
760 (1120, 1500, 1870, 2200) m

Dimensions (Imperial):
To fit bust 34-36 (40-42, 46-48, 52-54, 58-60)”
Across back armpit to armpit: 17 (21, 25, 29, 33)”
Length Armpit to Hem: 18.5 (21, 22.5, 24 24.5)”
Upper sleeve circumference: 17 (19, 21, 23, 25)”
Sleeve Length: 16 (16.5, 17, 17.5, 18)”

Dimensions (Metric):
To fit bust 85-90 (100-105, 115-120, 130-135, 145-150) cm
Across back armpit to armpit: 43 (53, 63, 73, 83) cm
Length Armpit to Hem: 47 (53, 57, 61, 62) cm
Upper sleeve circumference: 30 (35, 40,45, 50) cm
Sleeve Length: 40 (41, 42, 44, 45) cm

Needles: 3.75 mm/US 5 75 cm/30” circular needle or as required to achieve correct gauge.

Gauge: 18 sts and 28 rows = 10cm in lace pattern after blocking.

Extras: Tapestry needle for weaving in loose ends, three stitch holders.

Many, many thanks to testers bakergirljen and fulltimemama, and to tech editor alittlebitsheepish.