I toyed with the idea of giving this sweater a better name. After much consideration, I almost chose "Suzhou," a town in China famous for its beautiful gardens and beautiful women, because that's where my grandmother is from (and she is certainly more beautiful than I'll ever be--here's proof). My other top choice was "Meihua," Chinese for plum blossom, a symbol of China. In the end I decided to keep the name practical and descriptive, and Chinese Lace Pullover it remains.
Worked in DK weight cotton yarn, this sweater would also be lovely in a cotton/silk blend, or all silk, or wool/silk, or cashmere--any yarn with good stitch definition that will show off the lace pattern, a modified version of "Chinese Lace" from Barbara Walker's Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns. The fit is not overly close, but the ribs create a flattering, body-skimming line, and the raglan sleeves are also flattering for most body types. The pattern is written for sizes S, M, L, 1X, 2X & 3X; for garment bust measurements of 35, 39, 43, 47, 51, and 55 inches. Click here to purchase pattern! (If using a direct payment from your Paypal account, or a credit card, make sure you click the "continue to download" button immediately after purchase.)
Edited on 10/23/07 to add: the pattern has been updated and now includes directions for working both flat, in pieces, AND in the round to the armholes; in addition, the upper body shaping has been altered slightly to allow simpler and clearer directions for continuing the 7 knit/ 2 purl body ribbing into the neckband. IF you purchased the pattern before the above date, and want the updated version, please contact me at [email protected], and I will email you the new version free of charge.
Edited on 3/28/08 to add: Please make the following correction to patterns purchased before today: under "Sleeves: Raglan Shaping," the first sentence should read "Dec 2 sts each side (k1, SSSK...)" etc., NOT "(k1, sl1, SSSK...)."
YEAH!!! The pattern! I have already downloaded and it is going into the knitting queue :O( As I have to keep at least the though of Christmas knitting alive.
When you have the schematic I would very much like the updated version.
Thanks again for you beautiful crafting so other can follow :O)
Posted by: Nubiancraftster | September 29, 2006 at 11:23 AM
Perfect. I've been waiting for this. Congrats on yet another lovely pattern. Please do e-mail me the schematics when you finish them.
Also, you have to keep the pattern name "Chinese Lace" - it will make it easier for those who remember it from before to find.
And, finally - tell Knitty to add yor web address. Sherwood is a favorite and people will want to find your site. Congrats again on all your beautiful patterns.
xox, J
Posted by: Julia | September 29, 2006 at 02:28 PM
Gorgeous.
Posted by: Cathi | September 29, 2006 at 10:07 PM
I love your blog! Your patterns are so stylish, I just finished a version of your Beaufort Hat and it is up on my blog @ http://knitosaurus.com/beaufort-hat/
Sorry I couldn't get your email to work on the computer I am using.
Your new sweater is very nice too. I loved Como, I visited there a few years ago and it was one of my favorite places in Italy. Looking at your blog reminds me of what a nice time I had there!
Posted by: Alli | October 02, 2006 at 08:19 PM
Love the pattern. Would you mind sharing the yardage for this? Curious if I have some stash for it :)
Posted by: StacyZ | October 04, 2006 at 07:49 PM
Very nice sweater! It looks comfortable. Brown Sheep has a cotton fleece yarn of that shade. Is it what you used? If not, which did you use? It is very pretty and I'd like to put it on my 'to make' list.
It is rather pretty!
Posted by: Sam | December 28, 2006 at 09:48 PM
I am much taken by this pattern, but I wonder about the raglan shaping in the larger sizes. Are there photos anywhere of the sweater on a larger sized model? Thanks,
[email protected]
Posted by: Sande Francis | April 25, 2008 at 06:39 PM