Battenberg In Rowan Kaffe Fassett Kidsilk Haze Knitting

Battenberg Sweater in Rowan Kaffe Fassett Kidsilk Haze

What is Being Made

The Battenberg is a knitted sweater designed to fit chest measurements ranging from 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) up to 142-157 cm (56-62 inches), with corresponding actual garment chest measurements from 105.5 cm (41½ inches) to 188 cm (74 inches). This intermediate-level knitting project features a distinctive block pattern created through the intarsia colorwork technique, combining two complementary yarn colors to produce a striking geometric design.

Techniques Used

This sweater employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished appearance. The intarsia technique is the primary colorwork method, requiring knitters to join in and break off colors as needed while working block patterns across the garment. This technique differs from stranded colorwork as it uses separate yarn lengths for different colored sections rather than carrying yarn across the back of the work. The pattern also incorporates shaping techniques including strategic decreases for neck shaping (decreasing 1 stitch at the neck edge over multiple rows and alternate rows) and shoulder shaping accomplished through casting off stitches at the beginning of rows. Garter stitch edging is worked for the first 4 rows on both the back and sleeves to create a finished border.

Stitches Used

The Battenberg sweater is primarily constructed using stockinette stitch (abbreviated as st st), which forms the base fabric for the intarsia block pattern work. Garter stitch (abbreviated as g st) is used for the ribbed edging sections at the cuffs and hem, creating a textured, reversible border. The block pattern itself is created by alternating between yarn A and yarn B in 9-stitch blocks across rows, with the pattern repeating to create the distinctive Battenberg geometric design.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

This pattern calls for Rowan Kaffe Fassett Kidsilk Haze, a luxurious yarn available in 25-gram balls. The colorway requirements vary by size: smaller sizes require 2 balls each of yarn A (Petunia, K0011) and yarn B (Lichen, K0016), while larger sizes require up to 4 balls of yarn A and 4 balls of yarn B. The yarn is worked at a tension of 18 stitches and 23 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using the larger needles. Two needle sizes are required: 4mm needles (US size 6) for the initial cast-on and garter stitch edging sections, and 5mm needles (US size 8) for the main body and pattern work. The transition between needle sizes creates a subtle gauge change that helps define the garment's edges.

Construction Overview

The sweater is constructed in pieces beginning with the back panel, which is cast on using the smaller needles and yarn A. After working the garter stitch border, knitters switch to the larger needles and begin the intarsia block pattern. The front is worked similarly to the back until approximately 14 to 18 rows before the shoulder shaping begins, at which point neck shaping is introduced. The sleeves are cast on with a larger stitch count than typical to accommodate the block pattern, also beginning with garter stitch edging before transitioning to the patterned stockinette. All pieces require careful attention to maintaining pattern continuity while executing shaping decreases, making this an intermediate-level project suitable for knitters with experience in colorwork and garment construction.