The Medianoche Sweater
An intermediate-friendly knitted sweater– my Medianoche Sweater– is a free pattern here on the blog! Read through my inspiration, materials and stitch pattern used. Or scroll on down for the free pattern.
Introduction + Design
The Medianoche Sweater (midnight in English) is inspired by the deep cobalt blue of the yarn that I used for this sweater. The color itself evoked brightness, yet it reminded me of the night. The night that tangles creatures, sounds. So furtive, that it wraps you up, just like this sweater.
The Medianoche Sweater is a top-down sweater that features a circular yoke for the shoulder, and a semi-turtle neck. It is worked in the round until reaching the beginning of the bottom ribbing, where the front and back are divided to work them back and forth. The sleeves are worked in the round.
Cables are easy!
The Alternate Twists stitch, the cables featured on the sweater, don’t need a cable needle! You just have to slip them off the needle to pick them up later. That’s it!
An easy circular yoke sweater
Every single round is spelled down for you, so you'll know exactly what to do and how many stitches you’re supposed to have!
All sizes!
This pattern is graded to fit chest sizes from 30 to 62 in, and it has an slightly oversized fit. It’s perfect to combine with skinny jeans or leggins, or even boyfriend jeans It goes with everything!
Free Pattern
The pattern is available for free in this blog post. This blog has ads so I can provide the pattern for free.
Ad-free PDF version
Get the ad-free, large print, printable PDF pattern, which includes a stitch and row count table HERE on Ravelry, or HERE on Etsy.
Buying the PDF version makes it easy to follow the pattern without ads and is ideal if you want to print the pattern. As a bonus, when you buy the pattern it supports my work and enables me to continue making patterns for you!
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Techniques Required
Knit & purl, slip stitches, cast-on and bind-off
Work in the round
Increasing stitches
Decreasing stitches
Working from written instructions
Picking up stitches
Crossing stitches
Blocking
Yarn
For this sweater you will need:
Ula+Lia Mongolian Cashmere Yarn in DK weight. (100% Cashmere, 215 yds/196 m, 3.5 oz/100 gr). 5 (5, 7, 7)(8, 9, 11) skeins. Cobalt Blue.
Or,
DK weight yarn. (100% Cashmere, 215 yds/196 m, 3.5 oz/100 gr).
Yardage
The yardage is an approximation plus 10% (for security) for all sizes.
Materials
Needles
US size 8/5 mm circular needles (32 in/80 cm long at least) or size to obtain correct gauge.
US size 8/5 mm dpns (set of 4).
Notions
Tapestry needle (to weave ends in).
11 (13, 15, 15)(17, 17, 17) Stitch markers or scrap yarn.
Stitch holders or scrap yarn.
Gauge
18.5 sts and 29.5 rows = 4”/10 cm in Reverse Stockinette stitch worked in the round with US size 8/5 mm needles after blocking .
26.5 sts and 32 rows = 4”/10 cm in Alternate Twists stitch worked in the round with US size 11/8 mm needles after blocking .
Take time to save time! Knit the gauge sample.
Sizes
1(2, 3, 4)(5, 6, 7)
To fit with + 2-6 in/5-12.5 cm of ease at the bust.
Note: Sample was knit in Size 3, to fit the model with a 36 ½ in/93 cm bust.
Finished Measurements
Bust at underarm: 32 (36, 44, 48)(56, 60, 64) in/81.5 (91.5, 111.5, 122)(142, 152, 162.5) cm
Finished Length: 23 ½ (24 ½, 25 ¾, 25 ¼)(26 ½, 27 ¼, 27 ½) in/59.5 (62, 65.5, (4)(67.5, 69, 70) cm.
Schematics
Abreviations
dpns: double pointed needles
k: knit
m1P: make 1 right purl
LC: left cross
LN: left-hand needle
p: purl
pm: place marker
p2tog: purl 2 together
RC: right cross
RN: right-hand needle
RS: right side
sl: slip
sm: slip marker
WS: wrong side
wyib: with the yarn in the back
wiyf: with the yarn in the front
Techniques
Backward Loop Cast On: position the working yarn so that it comes from the needle in between your fingers and thumb, and then outside and around your thumb. Insert the tip of the needle under the loop of yarn on the outside of your thumb. Let the loop slide off your thumb and tighten it. Repeat for the desired number of stitches.
Left Cross: drop sl st off the LN to the front of the work, k2, pick up dropped st and k it.
Make 1 Purl: this is an increase method that creates a new stitch from the strand between 2 existing stitches, and the new stitch leans towards the right on the RS. To do it, insert the LN under the strand between the LN and RN from back to front lifting the strand onto the needle. With the yarn in front, insert the RN from front to back into the front loop of the stitch. Purl it.
Purl 2 together: insert the needle through the front loops of the first 2 sts on the LN and p them together as if they were 1 st.
Right Cross: sl next 2 sts wyib, drop sl st off LN to front of work, sl same 2 sts backs to LH, pick up dropped st an k it.
Slip st: slip st to the RH purlwise, unless instructed otherwise.
Stitch Patterns
Reverse Stockinette st. in the round
p all sts on all rounds.
Alternate Twists st in the round
(Multiple of 9 sts)
Round 1: *p2, k3, p1, k3; repeat from * until the end of the round.
Round 2: *p2, sl1 wyib, k2, p1, k2, sl1 wyib; repeat from * until the end of the round.
Round 3: repeat Round 2.
Round 4: *p2, LC, p1, RC; repeat until the end of the round.
Rounds 5 and 6: repeat Round 1.
Work Rounds 1-6 for the Alternating Twists st pattern.
Notes
I am a loose knitter. If you are a tight knitter, I advise you to try knitting a gauge swatch with one needle size bigger than stated in pattern.
For best results, read the entire pattern before you start to knit. Send your questions/comments to [email protected]
Let’s knit!
Neck
Cast on 92 (110, 128, 128)(146, 146, 146) sts onto the dpns. Distribute the sts evenly so there is a multiple of 9 on the first and second needle, and a multiple of 9 + 2 on the third needle. Taking care not to twist the sts, pm, join in the round, and work Round 1. You can change to the circular needle (or change to a longer circular needle) when the sts no longer fit comfortably on the dpns.
Round 1: work Round 1 of the Alternating Twists st ten (twelve, fourteen, fourteen)(sixteen, sixteen, sixteen) times, p2, place marker and join the round.
Continue working the Alternate Twists st as it was set until the neck measures 3 in/7.5 cm from the Cast On edge, about 24 rounds in total.
Yoke
Now we are going to work increases in order to shape the Yoke, with the m1P increase. Follow the instructions for your own size.
Size 1 (-, -, -)(-, -, -)
Round 1 (Increase Round): *p1, m1P, p1, pm, k3, p1, k3; repeat from * four (-, -, -)(-, -, -) times more. p2, k3, p1, k3. Repeat from * four (-, -, -)(-, -, -) times more, p1, m1P, p1. 10 ( -, -, -)(-, -, -) sts increased. — 102 (-, -, -)(-, -, -) sts.
Round 2: *p to next marker, sm, sl1 wyib, k2, p1, k2, sl1 wyib; repeat from * four (-, -, -)(-, -, -) times more. p2, sl1 wyib, k2, p1, k2, sl1 wyib. Repeat from * four (-, -, -)(-, -, -) times more, p to end of round.
Round 3 (Increase Round): *p to 1 st before next marker, m1P, p1, sm, sl1 wyib, k2, p1, k2, sl1 wyib; repeat from * four (-, -, -)(-, -, -) times more. p2, sl1 wyib, k2, p1, k2, sl1 wyib. Repeat from * four (-, -, -)(-, -, -) times more, p to 1 st before end of round, m1P, p1. 10 ( -, -, -)(-, -, -) sts increased. — 112 (-, -, -)(-, -, -) sts.
Size - (2, 3, 4)(5, 6, 7)
Round 1 (increase round): *p1, m1P, p1, pm, k3, p1, k3; repeat from * - (five, six, six)(seven, seven, seven) times more. p2, k3, p1, k3. Repeat from * - (five, six, six)(seven, seven, seven) times more, p1, m1P, p1. - ( 12, 14, 14)(16, 16, 16) sts increased. — - (122, 142, 142)(162, 162, 162) sts.
Round 2: *p to next marker, sm, sl1 wyib, k2, p1, k2, sl1 wyib; repeat from * - (five, six, six)(seven, seven, seven) times more. p2, sl1 wyib, k2, p1, k2, sl1 wyib. Repeat from * - (five, seven, seven)(eight, eight, eight) times more, p to end of round.
Round 3: repeat Round 2.
All sizes
Round 4: *p to next marker, sm, LC, p1, RC; repeat from * four (six, six, six)(seven, seven, seven) times more. p2, LC, p1, RC. Repeat from * four (six, six, six)(seven, seven, seven) times more, p to end of round.
Round 5 (Increase Round): *p to 1 st before next marker, m1P, p1, sm, k3, p1, k3; repeat from * four (six, six, six)(seven, seven, seven) times more. p2, k3, p1, k3. Repeat from * four (six, six, six)(seven, seven, seven) times more, p to 1 st before end of round, m1P, p1. 10 (12, 14, 14)(16, 16, 16) sts increased. — 122 (134, 156, 156)(178, 178, 178) sts.
Round 6: *p to next marker, sm, k3, p1, k3; repeat from * four (six, six, six)(seven, seven, seven) times more. p2, k3, p1, k3. Repeat from * four (six, six, six)(seven, seven, seven) times more, p to end of round.
Round 7: repeat Round 6.
Round 8: *p to next marker, sm, sl1 wyib, k2, p1, k2, sl1 wyib; repeat from * four (six, six, six)(seven, seven, seven) times more. p2, sl1 wyib, k2, p1, k2, sl1 wyib. Repeat from * four (six, six, six)(seven, seven, seven) times more, p to end of round.
Round 9 (Increase Round): *p to 1 st before next marker, m1P, p1, sm, sl1 wyib, k2, p1, k2, sl1 wyib; repeat from * four (six, six, six)(seven, seven, seven) times more. p2, sl1 wyib, k2, p1, k2, sl1 wyib. Repeat from * four (six, six, six)(seven, seven, seven) times more, p to 1 st before end of round, m1P, p1. 10 (12, 14, 14)(16, 16, 16) sts increased. — 132 (146, 170, 170)(194, 194, 194) sts.
Round 10: repeat Round 4.
Rounds 11 and 12: repeat Round 6.
Round 13 (Increase Round): repeat Round 5. 10 (12, 14, 14)(16, 16, 16) sts increased. — 142 (158, 184, 184)(210, 210, 210) sts.
Rounds 14 and 15: repeat Round 8.
Round 16: repeat Round 4.
Work Rounds 5-16 two (two, two, three)(three, four, four) times more. 60 (72, 84, 126)(144, 192, 192) sts increased. — 202 (230, 268, 310)(354, 402, 402) sts.
Size - (2, 3, 4)(-, -, -)
Work Rounds 5-8 - (once, once, once)(-, -, -) more. - (12, 14, 14)(-, -, -) sts increased. — - (242, 282, 324)(-, -, -) sts.
Size - (-, -, -)(5, -, -)
Work Rounds 5-12 - (-, -, -)(once, -, -) more. - (-, -, -)(16, -, -) sts increased. — - (-, -, -)(386, -, -) sts.
Size - (-, -, -)(-, -, 7)
Work Rounds 5-6 - (-, -, -)(, -, once) more. - (-, -, -)(-, -, 16) sts increased. — - (-, -, -)(-, -, 418) sts.
Change to Rev St st
We are going to decrease sts in order to start working Rev St st on the Yoke, except for the two center cables for the Front. When you reach a st marker, take it out of the needle and set it aside for the moment, except for the st marker that marks the beginning of the round. Follow the instructions for your size only.
Size 1 (-, -, -)(5, 6, 7)
Decrease Round: p2, [p2tog, p8 (-, -, -)(6, 6, 6)] nine (-, -, -)(nineteen, seventeen, fifteen) times. [p2tog, p4] zero (-, -, -)(five, nine, thirteen) times. p1, k3, p1, k3, p2, k3, p1, k3, p1. [p2tog, p4] zero (-, -, -)(five, nine, thirteen) times. [p2tog, p8 (-, -, -)(6, 6, 6)] nine (-, -, -)(nineteen, seventeen, fifteen) times, p2. 18 (-, -, -)(48, 52, 56) sts decreased. — 184 (-, -, -)(338, 350, 362) sts.
Size - (2, 3, 4)(-, -, -)
Decrease Round: p- (2, 2, 1)(-, -, -), [p2tog, p- (4, 6, 6)(-, -, -)] - (seventeen, five, sixteen)(-, -, -) times. [p2tog, p- (2, 4, 4)(-, -, -)] - (two, fifteen, four)(-, -, -) times. p1, sl1 wyib, k2, p1, k2, sl1 wyib, p2, sl1 wyib, k2, p1, k2, sl1 wyib, p1. [p2tog, p- (2, 4, 4)(-, -, -)] - (two, fifteen, four)(-, -, -)(-, -, -) times, [p2tog, p- (4, 6, 6)(-, -, -)] - (seventeen, five, sixteen)(-, -, -) times, p- (2, 2, 1)(-, -, -). - (38, 40, 40)(-, -, -) sts decreased. — - (204, 242, 284)(-, -, -) sts.
Set up the round for Increases
Now we will set up the row for increases by placing the st markers that we took out before.
Set up Round: [p17 (16, 16, 19)(20, 21, 22), pm] two (two, six, six)(seven, five, three) times. [p16 (15, 15, 18)(19, 20, 21), pm] three (four, one, one)(one, three, five) times. Work two repeats of Round 6 (4, 4, 4)(2, 6, 2) of the Alternate Twist St, p2, pm. [p17 (16, 17, 20)(21, 21, 23), pm] two (two, six, six)(seven, five, three) times. [p16 (15, 0, 0)(0, 20, 22), pm] two (three, zero, zero)(zero, two, four) times. p to end of round.
Size 1 (2, -, -)(-, 6, -)
Next Round: [p to next marker, sm] five (six, -, -)(-, eight, -) times. Work two repeats of the corresponding Round of the Alternate Twists St, p2, sm. [p to next marker, sm] four (five, -, -)(-, seven, -) times, p to end of round.
Repeat the last Round once more.
All sizes
Increase Round: [p to 1 st before next marker, m1P, p1, sm] five (six, -, -)(-, eight, -) times. Work two repeats of the corresponding Round of the Alternate Twists St, p2, sm. [p to 1 st before next marker, m1P, p1, sm] four (five, -, -)(-, seven, -) times, p to 1 st before end of round, m1P, p1. 10 (12, 14, 14)(16, 16, 16) sts increased. — 194 (216, 270, 312)(370, 366, 394) sts.
Regular Round: [p to next marker, sm] five (six, seven, seven)(eight, eight, eight) times. Work two repeats of the corresponding Round of the Alternate Twists St, p2, sm. [p to next marker, sm] four (five, six, six)(seven, seven, seven) times, p to end of round.
Repeat the Increase Round every 4th round three (three, three, one)(zero, three, four) times more and then every 6th round zero (zero, zero, one)(two, one, zero) times more. 30 (36, 42, 28)(32, 64, 64) — 224 (252, 312, 340)(402, 430, 458) sts.
Work the Regular Rounds in between the Increase Rounds. Once you have worked the last Increase Round, work a Regular Round one (one, three, five)(five, three, three) times more.
Body
Next we are going to separate the Body sts from the Sleeve sts, leaving these last ones on hold, and joining the Body sts together. We’ll take all the markers out, except the one at the beginning of the round and the ones that separate the Alternate Twists st section.
Next Round: p33 (38, 47, 52)(61, 66, 71), cast on 10 (9, 10, 9)(9, 10, 10) sts with the Backwards Loop Method. sl 44 (49, 60, 65)(77, 82, 86) sts for the Sleeve to a st holder or scrap of yarn. p25 (29, 39, 43)(53, 57, 62), sm. Work two repeats of the corresponding Round of the Alternate Twists St, p2, sm. p25 (29, 39, 43)(53, 57, 62), cast on 10 (9, 10, 9)(9, 10, 10) sts with the Backwards Loop Method. sl 44 (49, 60, 65)(77, 82, 86) sts for the Sleeve to a st holder or scrap of yarn. p to end of round. 156 (172, 212, 228)(266, 286, 306) sts for the body.
Next Round: p to next marker, sm, work two repeats of the corresponding Round of the Alternate Twists st, p2, sm, p to end of round.
Repeat the last Round 57 (59, 65, 49)(51, 53, 51) times more, or until the piece measures 18 ½ (19 ½, 20 ¾, 20 ¼)(21 ½, 22 ¼, 22 ½) in/47 (49.5, 52.5, 51.5)(54.5, 56.5, 57) cm from the Cast on edge. End with an odd number round.
Bottom Front Ribbing
Now we are going to divide the Front and the Back to work the bottom ribbing separately, that is, it will be worked back and forth. We will begin by increasing sts in Right Back and the Front, and then turn the project to work the ribbing on the Front. Once the ribbing for the Front is done, we will continue increasing sts for the Left Back in order to match the Right Back. Finally we will cut the yarn, and go back to the beginning of the (now) row so we can work back and forth. You can take away the st markers for the Alternate Twists st section.
Set-up Row: p3 (1, 3, 4)(3, 4, 3), m1P, [p2, m1P] fifteen (nineteen, sixteen, twenty-two)(seventeen, twenty-three, twenty-eight) times. [p4, m1P] one (zero, four, two)(seven, five, four) time, p1. There are the sts for the Right Back. pm, p3 (1, 3 1)(3, 3, 3), m1P. [p2, m1P] fourteen (twelve, fifteen, twenty-three)(nineteen, twenty-four, thirty) times. [p0 (1, 4, 1)(4, 4, 4) zero (eight, three, one)(four, three, one) times, p1. k3, p1, k3, p2, k3, p1, k3, p1, m1P. [p0 (1, 4, 1)(4, 4, 4) zero (eight, three, one)(four, three, one) times. [p2, m1P] fourteen (twelve, fifteen, twenty-three)(nineteen, twenty-four, thirty) times, p1, pm. These are the stitches for the Front — 110 (128, 146, 164)(182, 200, 218) sts.
Now we will turn the project to work the Wrong Side of the Front. The stitches for the Left Back (which haven’t been worked) and for the Right Back (which have been worked) will be left on hold on the cable of the same circular needle you have been using (that’s why we placed the st markers), but you could sl them into a st holder if it’s easier for you.
Row 1 (Wrong Side): sl 1 wyib, k1. *p3, k1, p3, k2; repeat from * until the end of the row.
Row 2: sl 1 wyif, p1. *sl1 wyib, k2, p1, k2, sl1 wyib, p2; repeat from * until the end of the row.
Row 3: sl 1 wyib, k1. *sl1 wyif, p2, k1, p2, sl1 wyif, k2; repeat from * until the end of the row.
Row 4: sl 1 wyif, p1. *LC, p1, RC, p2; repeat until the end of the row.
Row 5: repeat Row 1.
Row 6: sl 1 wyif, p1. *k3, p1, k3, p2; repeat from * until the end of the row.
Repeat Rows 1-6 five times more for a total of 36 rows of Ribbing. Bind off in pattern.
Bottom Back Ribbing
Pick up the sts of the Back that were on hold, and with the Right Side of the Back facing you work as follows:
Set-up Row: p1, m1P. [p4, m1P] one (zero, four, two)(seven, five, four) time. [p2, m1P] fifteen (nineteen, sixteen, twenty-two)(seventeen, twenty-three, twenty-eight) times. p3 (1, 3, 4)(3, 4, 3). You will have reached the st marker for the beginning of the round. You can take it away.
Now you have 110 (128, 146, 164)(182, 200, 218) sts for the Back. Cut the strand of yarn in the middle of the Back, turn your project, and join the yarn to start with the Ribbing, beginning at the Wrong Side.
Work Rows 1-6 of the Front Ribbing six times, for a total of 36 rows. Bind off in pattern.
Sleeves
Follow these instructions for each of the sleeves.
With the Right Side of the project facing you, find the sts that you casted on with the Backwards Loop method in order to join the Body sts. Find the middle of the Cast on, and pick up and k5 with the dpns (or shorter circular needles, of it’s more comfortable for you). Then, p the sts you left on the st holder, that is: p44 (49, 60, 65)(77, 82, 86). Finally, pick up and k the remaining sts of the Cast on: 5 (4, 5, 4)(4, 5, 5) sts, and pm for the beginning of the round. — 54 (58, 70, 74)(86, 92, 96) sts for the Sleeve.
Work 7 (5, 5, 5)(3, 3, 3) rounds in Rev St st, that is, p all sts.
Decrease Round: p1, p2tog, p to 3 sts to end of round, p2tog, p1. 2 sts decreased. —52 (56, 68, 72)(84, 90, 94) sts.
Repeat the Decrease Round every 8th (6th, 6th, 6th)(4th, 4th, 4th) round two (eleven, eight, four)(nineteen, eighteen, eighteen) times more; and then every 6th (4th, 4th, 4th)(2nd, 2nd, 2nd) round eight (one, seven, thirteen)(one, five, seven) times more. Work in Rev St st on the other rounds. — 32 (32, 38, 38)(44, 44, 44) sts.
Work 1 more round in Rev St st.
Ribbing
Now we will increase sts to accommodate the Alternate Twists st in the round for the Ribbing of the Sleeve.
Set-up Round: p3, m1P. [(p4, m1P), (p2, m1P) five (five, six, six)(seven, seven, seven) times] twice. [p2, m1P] zero (zero, one, one)(zero zero zero) times. 13 (13, 16, 16)(19, 19, 19) sts increased. — 45 (45, 54, 54)(63, 63, 63) sts.
Work Rounds 1-6 of the Alternate Twists st for a total of 36 rounds. Bind off in pattern.
FINISHING
Weave the ends in and block the sweater to measurements. Now you’re ready to rock your Medianoche Sweater!
You can share your handknits with the KBD community tagging me and using the hashtags #MedianocheSweater and #katebarriosdesigns
Copyrights
Copyright Kate Barrios Designs, 2021. You are welcome to sell finished items of this pattern, but please give credit to my design linking my website and social media.
You are not allowed to alter this pattern and sell a similar one.
Version 1, November 2021.
