Alina Sweater
The Alina Sweater is the perfect wardrobe staple — a basic piece that belongs in every closet. Its relaxed oversized fit and dropped shoulders make it incredibly comfortable to wear. The wide neckline gives the otherwise casual sweater a light and airy look. This knit sweater is a true all-rounder and pairs beautifully with dresses, leggings, or jeans!
Designer
Saara Toikka
Size(s)
XS/S(M)L(XL)XXL
Finished dimensions
body circumference 104(112)120(130)140 cm / 41(44)47.25(51.25)55 in
middle back length 70.5(72)73(75.5)76.5 cm / 27.75(28.25)28.75(29.75)30 in
inside sleeve length 51 cm / 20 in
Yarn demand
Novita Laine 4PLY (3131) Frosty Mint 300(350)400(450)500 gNovita Edith (3161) Poet 125(150)175(200)225 g
Needles and other supplies
Circular needles (80 cm / 32 in) Novita 3.5 mm (US 4) and 4 mm (US 6); 3.5 mm circular needle (40 cm / 16 in) for the neck Other supplies 2 stitch markers, tapestry needle
Finished dimensions
body circumference 104(112)120(130)140 cm / 41(44)47.25(51.25)55 in
middle back length 70.5(72)73(75.5)76.5 cm / 27.75(28.25)28.75(29.75)30 in
inside sleeve length 51 cm / 20 in
Stitch patterns:Twisted ribbing in the round: *k1 through back loop, p1*, repeat *–*.Stockinette stitch in the round: knit all rounds.Stockinette stitch (flat): knit the right side rows and purl the wrong side rows.
Gauge 23 sts and 27 rows in stockinette st with larger needles = 10 cm x 10 cm (4 in x 4 in)
Note The sweater is knitted top-down and without any seams with two strands of yarn held together (Laine 4PLY+ Edith).The sleeves are knitted top-down using the Magic Loop technique.The sleeve sts are picked up from the armholes, and the sleeve cap is shaped with short rows. See Novita Knitting School on short rows
Neckline
With the short circular needle and two strands of yarn held together (Laine 4PLY + Edith), cast on 144(144)144(144)144 sts using the Italian cast-on.Work twisted ribbing in the round for 4 cm / 1.5 in.
The back and front are knitted separately down to the armholes.
Top back
Cast on the shoulder sts at the end of the round: hold the neck needle in your left hand and then with the other needle, knit the last st of the left needle.Slip the new st onto the left-hand needle, twisting it.Cast on a total of 16(16)20(24)32 sts in this manner.
Cast on the shoulder sts at the end of the round: hold the neck needle in your left hand and then with the other needle, knit the last st of the left needle.Slip the new st onto the left-hand needle, twisting it.Cast on a total of 16(16)20(24)32 sts in this manner.
With the larger circular needle, knit the shoulder sts and k72 at the neckline.The other 72 neck sts will be front sts. Leave them on hold.At the end of row, cast on 16(16)20(24)32 sts for the other shoulder.104(104)112(120)136 sts now on the needles.
Work stockinette st flat and begin short rows:
Short row 1 (WS):Purl 16(16)20(24)32 shoulder sts, 72 neck sts and 4(4)5(6)8 shoulder sts.Turn work.
Short row 2 (RS):Double stitch (= bring yarn to front and slip the first st purlwise, bring yarn to back over the right needle, tighten the yarn so that the st from the previous row comes over the needle, forming the double stitch).Knit the shoulder and neck sts, then k4(4)5(6)8 at the other shoulder.Turn work.
Short row 3:Double stitch, work to previous double st, work the loops of the double st together, work 4(4)5(6)8 sts.Turn work.
Repeat row 3 three more times.
Next row (WS):Work to previous double st, work the loops of the double st together, work to end.
Next row (RS):Work to previous double st, work the loops of the double st together, work to end.
Work stockinette st until the piece measures 20(20)20(21)21 cm / 7.75(7.75)7.75(8.25)8.25 in from the armhole.
Work stockinette st. On every other row at both ends, increase 4(6)6(7)7x1 st for armhole.112(116)124(134)150 sts on the needles.Leave the back sts on hold.
Top front
With yarn held double and using the larger circular needle, pick up and knit 16(16)20(24)32 sts from the right back shoulder.Work the 72 front sts in stockinette st and pick up and knit 16(16)20(24)32 sts from the left shoulder.
Work stockinette st and begin short rows at the left shoulder and neck:
Short row 1 (WS):Work 16(16)20(24)32 sts and 1 neck st, turn work.
Short row 2 (RS):Double st, work 4(4)5(6)8 sts, turn work.
Short row 3:Double stitch, work to double st, work the loops of the double st together, work 1 neck st.Turn work.
Short row 4:Double stitch, work to previous double st, work the loops of the double st together, work 4(4)5(6)8 sts.Turn work.
Repeat rows 3–4 once more and then row 3 once more.
Next row (RS):Work to previous double st, work the loops of the double st together, work to end.
Keep working short rows at the neckline:*Turn work and purl to double st.Purl the loops of the double st together, work 1 neck st.Turn work, double st, knit to end of row.* Repeat *–* 8 more times.
Work next row until you have worked all neckline sts.Now repeat the short rows, reversing the other side.The shoulder short row is worked first: work 4(4)5(6)8 sts, turn work.There will be a total of 3 turns at the shoulder after every 4(4)5(6)8 sts and a total of 13 turns at the neckline after every 1 st.
When the short rows are completed, proceed with all 104(104)112(120)136 front sts.Work stockinette st until the piece measures 20(20)20(21)21 cm / 7.75(7.75)7.75(8.25)8.25 in from the armhole.On every other row at both ends, increase 4(6)6(7)7x1 st for armhole.112(116)124(134)150 sts now on the needles.
Body
In the front, work the RS row, then cast on 8(14)14(16)12 sts.Work the 112(116)124(134)150 back sts, cast on 8(14)14(16)12 sts at the end of round.240(260)276(300)324 sts now on the needles.From now on, work in the round.
Work stockinette st until the piece measures 36(37)38(39)40 cm / 14.25(14.5)15(15.25)15.75 in.Switch to the smaller needles and work twisted ribbing in the round for 10 cm / 4 in.
Work a stretchy bind-off as follows:Break yarn, leaving a tail more than double the length of the bind-off edge.Pass the yarn through 3 sts on WS, drop 1 st off the needle.Pass the yarn through 3 sts, drop 1 st off the needle.Continue as established until 2 sts remain.Pass the yarn through the remaining sts, drop both sts off the needle.
Sleeves
The stitches for the sleeves are picked up from the armholes. The sleeves are knitted using the Magic Loop technique.
Using two strands of yarn and with RS facing, pick up and knit 50(54)58(62)66 sts from between the underarm and the shoulder seam and another 50(54)58(62)66 sts from other edge between the shoulder seam and the underarm = 100(108)116(124)132 sts.Place marker for beginning of round.
Begin short rows:work RS row to last 8(10)12(14)16 sts before marker.Turn work, double stitch.Purl to last 8(10)12(14)16 sts before marker.*Turn work, double stitch.Work to double st, work the loops of the double st together, work 1 st.* Repeat *–* until all 100(108)116(124)132 sts are on the needles.
Work in the round for the rest of the sleeve.
When the piece measures 2 cm / 0.75 in from the underarm, decrease 1 st on both sides of the marker.Repeat the decreases every 2(2)2(1.5)1.5 cm / 0.75(0.75)0.75(0.5)0.5 in 14(16)18(20)22 more times = 70(74)78(82)86 sts.
When the sleeve measures 41 cm / 16.25 in from the underarm, switch to smaller needles and begin twisted ribbing.After 10 cm / 4 in, bind off stretchily as established.
Knit the other sleeve in the same manner.
Finishing
Weave in ends. Steam the sweater lightly.
Alina Sweater
Size(s)
XS/S(M)L(XL)XXL
Finished dimensions
body circumference 104(112)120(130)140 cm / 41(44)47.25(51.25)55 in
middle back length 70.5(72)73(75.5)76.5 cm / 27.75(28.25)28.75(29.75)30 in
inside sleeve length 51 cm / 20 in
Yarn demand
Novita Laine 4PLY (3131) Frosty Mint 300(350)400(450)500 gNovita Edith (3161) Poet 125(150)175(200)225 g
Needles and other supplies
Circular needles (80 cm / 32 in) Novita 3.5 mm (US 4) and 4 mm (US 6); 3.5 mm circular needle (40 cm / 16 in) for the neck Other supplies 2 stitch markers, tapestry needle
Stitch patterns:Twisted ribbing in the round: *k1 through back loop, p1*, repeat *–*.Stockinette stitch in the round: knit all rounds.Stockinette stitch (flat): knit the right side rows and purl the wrong side rows.
Gauge 23 sts and 27 rows in stockinette st with larger needles = 10 cm x 10 cm (4 in x 4 in)
Note The sweater is knitted top-down and without any seams with two strands of yarn held together (Laine 4PLY+ Edith).The sleeves are knitted top-down using the Magic Loop technique.The sleeve sts are picked up from the armholes, and the sleeve cap is shaped with short rows. See Novita Knitting School on short rows
Neckline
With the short circular needle and two strands of yarn held together (Laine 4PLY + Edith), cast on 144(144)144(144)144 sts using the Italian cast-on.Work twisted ribbing in the round for 4 cm / 1.5 in.
The back and front are knitted separately down to the armholes.
Top back
Cast on the shoulder sts at the end of the round: hold the neck needle in your left hand and then with the other needle, knit the last st of the left needle.Slip the new st onto the left-hand needle, twisting it.Cast on a total of 16(16)20(24)32 sts in this manner.
Cast on the shoulder sts at the end of the round: hold the neck needle in your left hand and then with the other needle, knit the last st of the left needle.Slip the new st onto the left-hand needle, twisting it.Cast on a total of 16(16)20(24)32 sts in this manner.
With the larger circular needle, knit the shoulder sts and k72 at the neckline.The other 72 neck sts will be front sts. Leave them on hold.At the end of row, cast on 16(16)20(24)32 sts for the other shoulder.104(104)112(120)136 sts now on the needles.
Work stockinette st flat and begin short rows:
Short row 1 (WS):Purl 16(16)20(24)32 shoulder sts, 72 neck sts and 4(4)5(6)8 shoulder sts.Turn work.
Short row 2 (RS):Double stitch (= bring yarn to front and slip the first st purlwise, bring yarn to back over the right needle, tighten the yarn so that the st from the previous row comes over the needle, forming the double stitch).Knit the shoulder and neck sts, then k4(4)5(6)8 at the other shoulder.Turn work.
Short row 3:Double stitch, work to previous double st, work the loops of the double st together, work 4(4)5(6)8 sts.Turn work.
Repeat row 3 three more times.
Next row (WS):Work to previous double st, work the loops of the double st together, work to end.
Next row (RS):Work to previous double st, work the loops of the double st together, work to end.
Work stockinette st until the piece measures 20(20)20(21)21 cm / 7.75(7.75)7.75(8.25)8.25 in from the armhole.
Work stockinette st. On every other row at both ends, increase 4(6)6(7)7x1 st for armhole.112(116)124(134)150 sts on the needles.Leave the back sts on hold.
Top front
With yarn held double and using the larger circular needle, pick up and knit 16(16)20(24)32 sts from the right back shoulder.Work the 72 front sts in stockinette st and pick up and knit 16(16)20(24)32 sts from the left shoulder.
Work stockinette st and begin short rows at the left shoulder and neck:
Short row 1 (WS):Work 16(16)20(24)32 sts and 1 neck st, turn work.
Short row 2 (RS):Double st, work 4(4)5(6)8 sts, turn work.
Short row 3:Double stitch, work to double st, work the loops of the double st together, work 1 neck st.Turn work.
Short row 4:Double stitch, work to previous double st, work the loops of the double st together, work 4(4)5(6)8 sts.Turn work.
Repeat rows 3–4 once more and then row 3 once more.
Next row (RS):Work to previous double st, work the loops of the double st together, work to end.
Keep working short rows at the neckline:*Turn work and purl to double st.Purl the loops of the double st together, work 1 neck st.Turn work, double st, knit to end of row.* Repeat *–* 8 more times.
Work next row until you have worked all neckline sts.Now repeat the short rows, reversing the other side.The shoulder short row is worked first: work 4(4)5(6)8 sts, turn work.There will be a total of 3 turns at the shoulder after every 4(4)5(6)8 sts and a total of 13 turns at the neckline after every 1 st.
When the short rows are completed, proceed with all 104(104)112(120)136 front sts.Work stockinette st until the piece measures 20(20)20(21)21 cm / 7.75(7.75)7.75(8.25)8.25 in from the armhole.On every other row at both ends, increase 4(6)6(7)7x1 st for armhole.112(116)124(134)150 sts now on the needles.
Body
In the front, work the RS row, then cast on 8(14)14(16)12 sts.Work the 112(116)124(134)150 back sts, cast on 8(14)14(16)12 sts at the end of round.240(260)276(300)324 sts now on the needles.From now on, work in the round.
Work stockinette st until the piece measures 36(37)38(39)40 cm / 14.25(14.5)15(15.25)15.75 in.Switch to the smaller needles and work twisted ribbing in the round for 10 cm / 4 in.
Work a stretchy bind-off as follows:Break yarn, leaving a tail more than double the length of the bind-off edge.Pass the yarn through 3 sts on WS, drop 1 st off the needle.Pass the yarn through 3 sts, drop 1 st off the needle.Continue as established until 2 sts remain.Pass the yarn through the remaining sts, drop both sts off the needle.
Sleeves
The stitches for the sleeves are picked up from the armholes. The sleeves are knitted using the Magic Loop technique.
Using two strands of yarn and with RS facing, pick up and knit 50(54)58(62)66 sts from between the underarm and the shoulder seam and another 50(54)58(62)66 sts from other edge between the shoulder seam and the underarm = 100(108)116(124)132 sts.Place marker for beginning of round.
Begin short rows:work RS row to last 8(10)12(14)16 sts before marker.Turn work, double stitch.Purl to last 8(10)12(14)16 sts before marker.*Turn work, double stitch.Work to double st, work the loops of the double st together, work 1 st.* Repeat *–* until all 100(108)116(124)132 sts are on the needles.
Work in the round for the rest of the sleeve.
When the piece measures 2 cm / 0.75 in from the underarm, decrease 1 st on both sides of the marker.Repeat the decreases every 2(2)2(1.5)1.5 cm / 0.75(0.75)0.75(0.5)0.5 in 14(16)18(20)22 more times = 70(74)78(82)86 sts.
When the sleeve measures 41 cm / 16.25 in from the underarm, switch to smaller needles and begin twisted ribbing.After 10 cm / 4 in, bind off stretchily as established.
Knit the other sleeve in the same manner.
Finishing
Weave in ends. Steam the sweater lightly.
