Balloon Sweater

The Balloon Sweater has balloon sleeves that start low on the shoulder and are emphasized with close fitting rib cuffs. The Balloon Sweater is worked from the top down. For the first part of the yoke, shoulder increases and short rows are worked simultaneously to shape the neckline. After this, the front and back are worked separately (back and forth in stockinette stitch) to the bottom of the armholes. Next the front and back are joined for the body, which is worked in the round on the circular needles. Stitches are then picked up and knitted along the armholes and the sleeves are worked down from there. The sleeves are worked in the round, first on circular needles and then on double-pointed needles at the end (or on long circular needles using the Magic Loop technique). The Balloon Sweater has no finishing work besides weaving in the ends. 

Size guide

The Balloon Sweater is designed to have 15 cm [6 inches] of positive ease, meaning it is designed to be 15 cm [6 inches] larger in circumference than your bust measurement. The sizes XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL are designed to fit a bust circumference of 80-85 (85-90) 90-95 (95-100) 100-110 (110-120) 120-130 cm [31½-33½ (33½-35½) 35½-37½ (37½-39¼) 39¼-43¼ (43¼-47) 47-51 inches]. The measurements for the finished garment are on the front page of the pattern (note that these measurements are only achieved if the sweater is knitted in the correct gauge). Before beginning your project, measure yourself with a measuring tape around your bust or your widest upper body point to determine which size will fit you the best. For example, if you measure 94 cm [37 inches] around your bust (or wherever you are the widest) you should knit a size M. A size M sweater has a bust circumference of 110 cm [43¼ inches], which in the given example would give you 16 cm [6¼ inches] of positive ease.

Sizes: XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL

Measurements: Bust circumference at underarm: 99 (107) 110 (114) 124 (135) 143 cm [39 (42) 43¼ (44¾) 48¾ (53) 56¼ inches]

Length: 55 (56) 57 (58) 59 (60) 62 cm [21¼ (22) 22½ (22¾) 23¼ (23½) 24½ inches] (measured mid back excluding neck rib edge)

Gauge: 21 sts x 28 rows in stockinette stitch on 4 mm [US6] needles = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches], after blocking

Needles: Circular needles: 3 mm [US2½] / 40 and 80 cm [16 and 32 inches], 4 mm [US6] / 40, 60 and 80 or 100 cm [16, 24 and 32 or 40 inches]; Double-pointed needles: 3 mm [US2½]

Materials: 250 (300) 300 (350) 350 (350-400) 400 g Arwetta by Filcolana (50 g = 210 m [230 yds]) or Sunday by Sandnes Garn (50 g = 235 m [257 yds]) held together with 125 (150) 150 (175) 175 (175-200) 200 g Kid Seta by Gepard (25 g = 210 m [230 yds]) or Tilia by Filcolana (25 g = 210 m [230 yds]) or Tynn Silk Mohair by Sandnes Garn (25 g = 212 m [232 yds]) or Silk Mohair by Isager (25 g = 210 m [230] yds)

Difficulty: ★ ★ ★ ★ (4 out of 5)

See the classification of difficulty here. 

This pattern is digital and will be sent as a pdf-file to your e-mail.

The beige Balloon Sweater is knitted in Arwetta from Filcolana in the color Marzipan [977] held together with Silk Mohair from Isager in color 6.

Video

Italian Cast-on:

Beginning:

German Short Rows:

M1R on the RS:

M1L on the RS:

M1R on the WS:

M1L on the WS:

k2tog:

Picking up stitches for sleeve:

Italian bind-off:

Quick and easy italian bind-off:

Elastic thread in the neck edge: