Hanakotoba is a Japanese word that can be translated as “the language of flowers”: what each type of flower expresses, both for its traditional symbolism and for what we want to tell when we create a bouquet with them… or a pair of socks, a sweater…

Hanakotoba sweater is a circular yoke that is worked seamlessly from the top down. The neck is worked first, after that, several series of short rows are used for a comfortable and beautifully shaped finish.
The yoke is shaped with increases that are evenly distributed around the entire circumference of the upper body.
Sleeves are then placed on hold and the body is worked toward the hem. The sleeve stitches are then placed on the needles again and worked in the round toward the cuffs.
The sweater is relaxed fit and as it is knitted top-down lengths are easily adaptable.
Please, note the colorwork is charted only. The colorwork requires a bit of attention. There are several rounds where 3 colors are worked at the same time. In order to simplify the colorwork technique, as a suggestion, the pattern provides a photo and video tutorial for Duplicate stitch embroidery.

Please note that the stranded pattern is charted only.

Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
Bust circumference of the finished sweater: cm 92 (102,5, 111, 116,5, 127, 135,5, 151, 160) cm/ 36 ¼ (40 ¼, 43 ¾, 45 ¾, 50, 53 ¼, 59 ½, 63)’’. The sweater is designed to be worn with approximately 5-15 cm / 2-6’’ of positive ease.
Model has 85 cm / 33½’’ bust, stands 164 cm / 64½’’ and is wearing size 2.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

A = Bust circumference
B = Yoke depth
C = Length from armhole to lower edge
D = Cuff circumference
E = Sleeves length (from underarm)
F = Armhole circumference

Yarn
Soft Donegal by Retrosaria Rosa Pomar 50g = 190m / 208yd (100% merino wool)
Sample shown in:

MC — 5509 Gray — 1131 (1244, 1449, 1470, 1584, 1696, 1809, 1923) meters / 1237 (1361, 1585, 1609, 1732, 1856, 1980, 2103) yards
CC 1 — 5507 White — 25 (28, 30, 33, 35, 37, 40, 42) meters / 27 (30, 33, 36, 38, 41, 44, 46} yards
CC 2 — 5525 Green — 55 (61, 66, 72, 77, 83, 88, 94) meters / 60 (66, 72,78, 84, 90, 96, 102) yards
CC 3 — 5571 Yellow — 25 (28, 30, 33, 35, 37, 40, 42) meters / 27 (30, 33, 33, 8, 41, 44, 46) yards
CC 4 — 5519 Light blue — 25 (28, 30, 33, 35, 37, 40, 42) meters / 27 (30, 33, 36, 38, 41, 44, 46) yards

Needles
3 mm / US 2½ circular needle 24”/60 cm or 32”/80 cm and 3,5 mm / US 4 circular needle 24”/60 cm or 32”/80 cm

Notions
1 stitch marker • waste yarn for holding the sleeve stitches • tapestry needle to weave in the yarn ends

Gauge
23 sts and 34 rows — 10x10 cm / 4x4’’ in stockinette / colorwork in the round with 3,5 mm / US 4 needles, washed and blocked.