Tahki Yarns Saura Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Saura Knitted Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Saura is an easy-level knitted sweater designed by Rosemary Drysdale, available in five sizes ranging from Small to 2XL. This garment features a classic pullover construction with finished bust measurements from 37½ inches (95.5 cm) in the smallest size up to 54½ inches (183.5 cm) in the largest size. The sweater length ranges from 20 to 24 inches (51 to 61 cm) depending on the chosen size, making it a versatile piece suitable for various body types and style preferences.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Saura employs several fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for beginner-level crafters. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, meaning pieces are constructed as individual flat panels. The construction follows a bottom-up approach, where knitters begin at the lower edge and work upward toward the neckline and shoulders. The finished pieces are then seamed together using a yarn needle to create the complete sweater. This traditional method allows knitters to try on their work as it progresses and make adjustments as needed.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

Two primary stitch patterns form the foundation of this design. Stockinette stitch (abbreviated St st) creates the smooth, classic fabric base and serves as the primary stitch for much of the garment. The pattern also features an Eyelet Cable stitch pattern, which is worked over a multiple of 5 stitches plus 2 edge stitches. This decorative pattern repeats over 4 rows and creates an openwork lace effect combined with cable texture, adding visual interest to the sweater.

The Eyelet Cable pattern is constructed as follows: Row 1 (right side) features a slip stitch, knit 2, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, k2, psso) sequence alternating with purl stitches. Row 2 (wrong side) incorporates yarn overs (yo) to create the eyelet openings. Rows 3 and 4 work knit and purl stitches to establish the cable texture. This four-row repeat creates a sophisticated lace pattern that adds depth and dimension to the finished garment.

Materials and Gauge

The Saura is designed to be knitted with Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic, a 100% mercerized cotton yarn. The yardage required ranges from 8 skeins for the smallest size to 12 skeins for the largest size. Each skein contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and provides 108 yards (99 meters) of yarn, making the total yardage requirement approximately 864 to 1,296 yards depending on the finished size.

Knitters should use size 7 (4.5mm) needles to achieve the correct gauge. Two different gauges are specified for this pattern: 19 stitches and 25 rows equal 4 inches (10 cm) when working in Stockinette stitch, while 21 stitches and 27 rows equal 4 inches (10 cm) when working the Eyelet Cable pattern. Taking time to check gauge before beginning is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements. Additional supplies include stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping, stitch holders to temporarily secure stitches during construction, a spare size 7 (4.5mm) needle for the Three-Needle Bind-Off technique used to join shoulders, and a yarn needle for seaming the finished pieces together.

Construction Details

The back panel is cast on with 99 to 139 stitches depending on size, with Stockinette stitch worked at the edges and the Eyelet Cable pattern worked in the center. The front follows the same initial construction as the back until reaching the armhole shaping point, which occurs at 13 to 15 inches (33 to 38 cm) from the cast-on edge. Armhole shaping involves binding off stitches at the beginning of rows, followed by decreasing stitches on subsequent rows. The neckline shaping is worked simultaneously with armhole decreases, using a two-ball technique to work both sides of the neck at the same time. The shoulders are finished using a Three-Needle Bind-Off, a technique that joins two sets of live stitches together while binding them off in a single step.