Whit's Knits: Deep V-Neck Sweater

As anyone who has ever knit a sweater knows, it can be a real juggling act! With this Deep V-Neck Sweater, I had the happy and lucky experience of somehow, someway managing to keep all the balls in the air. A seamless set-in sleeve pattern, a spectacularly seductive yarn and a very forgiving fit, all conspired to work together in beautiful harmony!

While set-in sleeves are perhaps the most flattering sweater construction, they traditionally involve the dreaded last step of laboriously sewing together all those pesky pieces. Determined to avoid that tedium, I embarked on this project armed with a few vague notes from Elizabeth Zimmermann and a cannot-fail doggedness (sound familiar, knitters?). Turns out a seamless set-in sleeve sweater is not only possible, it's fascinating and absolutely easy!

And what about that incredible yarn? Alchemy's Kozmos is an extraordinary blend of silk, mohair, wool and cotton, all hand dyed together to create a fuzzy, shiny, nubbly complexity of color and texture. It is this sweater's magic ingredient, infusing it with a truly unique flavor, expressive, elegant and very feminine.

To make your own simple Deep V-Neck Sweater, just visit my Project Journal right here! Thanks! -Whitney

Comments

[Christina]

Love it! Thanks for sharing :)

[Suzanne]

Wow! That's quite a sweater. I bet it will look lovely paired with a pretty lace camisole.

[Bettina]

Oh wow this is so beautiful. I wish I had the skill to create something like this!

[Alisa Belzil]

You are so inspiring! This sweater is just gorgeous and your creations are simply amazing! I'm such a huge fan! love love love this sweater!

[Nina]

Aha! I've been wondering about seamless set-in sleeves for years! I'd heard rumours that EZ had done it, but hadn't seen any evidence... This is exciting. Thanks for sharing your work for free!

[Nancy N.]

This is a great sweater for Orlando weather right now.

[Claire Jain]

Beautiful sweater :-) Thanks for sharing!

[Kim]

Beautiful! Love, Love it, you did a great job! Wish I could knit that good :)
Kim

[sylvï]

must. knit. this.

[Krisha]

I have to make this one, the yarn looks irresistible! Thank you so much for sharing. Your posts are always very inspiring.
Best regards from Oslo, Norway.

[Lisa Sittniewski]

Wow...what a simple and gorgeous sweater! I still have yet to knit a project so large, but if and when I do, I will simply have to come back here to catch the pattern you so generously shared :)

[Alison]

This looks beautiful - thank you!- but can you suggest a wool free yarn substitute?

[purl bee]

HI Alison,

It depends a bit on which gauge you intend knit, but generally speaking, you'll want to choose a worsted or light worsted yarn. Assuming that you'd prefer no animal fibers at all, my favorite choice would probably be Alchemy's Silk Purse (http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/416-Alchemy-Silk-Purse). The heavy drape of silk would definitely give this sweater a different vibe, especially in the way that it would hang, but I think it would be quite beautiful!

If you are interested in animal fibers other than wool, let me know because there would be tons of options in that department!

Thanks for your question and good luck!
Whitney

[Fiona]

I am completely obsessed with this pattern and yarn combination. Can you possibly give me any more info or pictures of the Kozmos before I order sight unseen? No chance of dropping by soon given I live in Australia. What season did you imagine it best suited for?

Eagerly awaiting your reply..

[purl bee]

Hi Fiona-

Photos of the Kosmos can be found here: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/6859-Alchemy-Kozmos

It's best suited for cold weather since it contains mohair but it's not as itchy as most mohair blends because it also contains silk. It has a slight sheen as well as a slight fuzziness. Overall it is one of our favorite yarns because it's so unique and lovely.

Please let us know if you have any more questions!

- Molly

[Fiona]

Hi Molly,

Thanks for the help. I'm feeling utterly defenceless against such temptation.

If I were to go down a needle size for the rib, from a US #8 (AUS 5mm), would that be a US # 7 (AUS 4.5mm)?

Fiona

[purl bee]

Hi Fiona-

Yes, I would use the US 7s for the ribs.

Thanks again for writing in!

Molly