Noro Legrandite Knitting Pattern

Noro Legrandite Knitted Garment

What is Being Made

Legrandite is an intermediate-level knitted design by Aubrey Baumgartner, available in nine sizes ranging from X-Small through 5X. This garment is sized for a bust measurement of 33 to 65 inches (84 to 165 centimeters) with a finished length of approximately 23 to 26 inches (58.5 to 66 centimeters), making it a versatile piece suitable for various body types and proportions.

Techniques Used

The Legrandite design employs the Intarsia method for color work, which allows for the creation of distinct color blocks without carrying yarn across the back of the fabric. This technique requires the use of separate bobbins for each color section, preventing loose strands and maintaining a clean interior finish. When changing colors during Intarsia work, yarns are twisted on the wrong side to prevent holes from forming in the fabric. The pattern also incorporates stockinette stitch as the primary stitch base, combined with strategic color placement to create a checkerboard pattern throughout the garment.

Stitches Used

The knitting pattern utilizes several fundamental and intermediate stitches:

• Stockinette stitch (St st) – the primary stitch used for the body and color pattern work
• Selvage stitch – an edge stitch applied to facilitate seaming and create finished edges
• Slip, slip, knit/purl (ssk/ssp) – a decrease technique where two stitches are slipped knitwise or purlwise individually, then worked together through their front loops to reduce stitch count
• Slip stitch – used to pass stitches from the left needle to the right needle without working them, commonly employed in shaping and pattern transitions
• Yarn over (yo) – a stitch-making technique that creates new stitches and is often used for lace or decorative eyelet effects
• Purlwise insertion – a method of inserting the needle as if to purl, used in various stitch manipulations

Materials

The Legrandite pattern calls for Noro Malvinas yarn, a premium yarn choice that provides rich color and texture to the finished garment. The yardage requirements vary by size: smaller sizes require 1 ball of Noro Malvinas in colorway #02 (Main Color) and 1 ball in colorway #08 (Contrast Color), while larger sizes require up to 3 balls of the main color and 2 balls of the contrast color. Each ball weighs 150 grams.

The pattern specifies the use of US 6/4mm needles for ribbing and finishing details, and US 8/5mm needles for the main body work, with the larger needle size selected to achieve the required gauge. A 16-inch (40cm) circular needle in size US 6/4mm is also needed for certain sections. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and color changes, and bobbins for managing the separate yarn sections required by the Intarsia technique.

Gauge and Construction

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 16 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch using the larger US 8/5mm needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements specified in the pattern. One stitch is reserved for seaming purposes and is not included in the finished measurements or schematic, allowing for neat and invisible seams when pieces are joined together.