Tahki Yarns Acadia Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Acadia Knitted Sweater

What is Being Made

The Acadia is an intermediate-level pullover sweater designed by Susan Mills, available in five sizes ranging from Small to 2X. This garment features a sophisticated stranded colorwork yoke that transitions from a solid stockinette body. The finished bust measurements range from 36 inches (91.5 cm) in the smallest size to 52 inches (132 cm) in the largest, with lengths varying from 23½ to 26¼ inches (59.5 to 66.5 cm) depending on size selection.

Construction Techniques

The Acadia employs a bottom-up construction method, beginning with the body and progressing upward to the yoke. The sweater is worked in the round using circular needles, which eliminates the need for seaming the body and creates a seamless fabric. The yoke features stranded colorwork, a technique where two colors of yarn are carried across the back of the work to create a patterned design. While the body is knit as one continuous tube, the sleeves are picked up and worked downward from the yoke, then finished with ribbed cuffs. This construction method provides excellent fit and eliminates bulk from seams.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern utilizes several fundamental knitting stitches:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – The primary stitch for the body, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric with a flat appearance
• K2, P2 Ribbing – Used for the cuffs and hem, providing elasticity and a finished edge that hugs the body
• Stranded Colorwork – The yoke incorporates a 35-round charted pattern using two colors, requiring the knitter to work with both Merlot (main color) and Ash (contrast color) simultaneously
• Decreases (k2tog) – Strategic decreases shape the yoke and create the fitted neckline
• Make 1 (M1) Increases – Used to add stitches where needed for shaping

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Acadia is designed to be knitted with Tahki Yarns Everest, a premium blend yarn composed of 70% baby alpaca, 23% polyamide, and 7% merino wool. This fiber combination provides softness, durability, and excellent stitch definition. Yardage requirements vary by size: 6 balls of the main color Merlot (#11) for the Small size, increasing to 9 balls for the 2X size, with 1 to 2 balls of the contrast color Ash (#4) depending on size. Each ball weighs 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and contains 143 yards (131 meters) of yarn.

Needles and Notions

The pattern requires size 9 (5.5mm) needles in multiple configurations to accommodate the different stages of construction. A 32-inch (80 cm) circular needle is used for the body, a 16-inch (40 cm) circular needle for the yoke, and a set of double-pointed needles for the sleeve caps. The recommended gauge is 16 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch, and knitters are advised to check their gauge before beginning. Additional notions include stitch markers to denote the beginning of rounds, waste yarn or spare circular needles for holding stitches, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends.

Skill Level and Pattern Notes

Rated as an intermediate pattern, the Acadia requires familiarity with circular needle techniques, stranded colorwork, and basic shaping methods. The charted yoke pattern spans 35 rounds and demands attention to color changes and stitch placement. Knitters should be comfortable reading charts and managing multiple colors in the round before attempting this design.