Laura's Loop: Short Row Sweater

As a young child, I remember my wonderfully elegant grandmother wearing her cardigans backwards with the first couple of buttons undone, creating a soft V dipping down from her shoulders. As an adult I turn to her back-revealing style still, as I love wearing her summer frocks from the 50s with cutouts that reveal the small of my back. 

The Short Row Sweater is my autumn ode to the grace and distinction of a bit of bare back. Knit in one piece, this wrap of a sweater is a half moon shape, folded around to create a sweeping crisscross in the back. I used the superlatively soft Blue Sky Sport Weight Alpaca for its draping ease and classic simplicity. 

I have thrown on this sweater with jeans and flats for some of my last outdoor brunches of the season. At night, I've worn a silk camisole underneath it. And I know that in just a few more short weeks, I'll be pairing it with a long sleeve nautically striped tee. Even layered, the crossed back adds just the right amount of feminine frolic to my step!

To make your very own Short Row Sweater, check out the full pattern here! --Laura

Comments

[Anne]

Wow! Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!

[brie.]

oh my word - i LOVE this - might be next on my list. bliss!

[La Z'idiote]

Wahou ! Excellent !

[Marie]

Oh! How beautiful is that! I love ist! And...i must knit it, of cause!

Love, Marie

[Nina]

I worry for your kidneys! Very elegant, though!

[Krisha]

I love it!
So beautiful and perfect for cold weather layering!

[Lisa]

Is the Natural Taupe sold out? Thanks.

[purl bee]

Hi LIsa-

The Natural Taupe is not sold out. It is 3rd from the right on the top row here:

http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/714-Blue-Sky-100-Sport-Weight-Alpaca-Solids

It is color 505.

Thanks for your question!

[Shell ~]

~ This is exquisite !
Exactly what I have been looking for. ~ With having double mastectomies in the past year, with no wish to have additional surgery for fake boob-ettes, I have been looking for clothing/knitting patterns without seaming that accents the cleavage that is no longer there.
This sweater is classic, feminine and will look great in many yarns. I may sew pearls onto the scoop neckline, which I loVe !! I want one in black, grey, turcoise, orange, the list goes on.
This is perfect !!! ~ Merci Laura !
shell ~

[Caitlin Betsy Bell]

This is so beautiful! I wish I had the time to knit one for myself.

[miki]

Absolutely LOVE this! I'll have to give it a try!

[Fran Carr]

I think this pattern, adjusted for size, would make a wonderful baby bib; no ties, and if cotton, easy to wash, and very beautiful.

It would also be great for a problemed elderly person who wants to look good

It is beautiful as is! Thank you for the pattern and the detailed pictures.

[Pixie]

Hi I live in the tropics. Can you suggest a cotton yarn for this pattern ? Pl also advise me of the quantity required and any adjustments to the pattern using the suggested alternative. I love this pattern and gotta have one for myself !!!

[purl bee]

Pixie. Such a great question. As soon as I finished making this sweater I immediately thought of how much I wanted to make one in linen. Do you ever work in linen? It has such a beautiful drape, not dissimilar to alpaca. I would highly recommend Louet's Euroflax: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/380-Louet-Euroflax-Originals

As for a cotton... Cascade's Ultra Pima: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/7117-Cascade-Yarns-Ultra-Pima or Blue Sky's Skinny Cotton: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/3823-Blue-Sky-Skinny-Cotton

As for approximate yardage: 500 (550, 600, 660)
Thanks for commenting! --Laura

[pamela]

simply stunning and elegant! you are brilliant. thanks!

[Mo]

I am more of a sewer but this sweater is a great design that I must try. So if my bust measures 36" would I choose a size small to knit? Or would I choose a medium for a couple inches of ease? Thanks :)

[purl bee]

Hi Mo,
Thanks for writing. The Medium would be best for a 36" chest. Hope you enjoy the pattern! --Laura

[Christee]

That is quite possibly the sexiest sweater I've ever scene!

[Barb]

Hi Laura! I've just cast on and started the short row process, which I've not done all that often, so it's a bit of re-learning. Thank you for the helpful tutorial link! I was so happy to find the same BlueSky Sport Weight Baby Alpaca in color 505 that you used, and am really enjoying knitting with it! Feels heavenly!! Love the pattern - it's a great sweater! Hope I can do as nice a job on it as you have!

[Sue]

I am confused by the pattern. When you get to the point where you put the armhole stitches on holders, don't you have to start a new balls of yarn for the next two sections?

[purl bee]

Hi Sue, Thank you for commenting. You will need to add new balls of yarn, but for the Left Back and Front and not until a bit later on. When you are separating for armholes, you are knitting past the armhole and then putting the PREVIOUS six stitches on a holder. You will do this twice. Your working yarn will then be located to work the Right Back portion of the sweater. Hope this helps. Thanks! Laura