Trendsetter Yarns B Celebrate Twisted Cross Stitched Yoke with A-Line Swing

Trendsetter Yarns B Celebrate Twisted Cross Stitched Yoke with A-Line Swing

What is Being Made

This is a knitted sweater featuring a distinctive twisted cross stitched yoke paired with an A-line swing silhouette. The garment is designed by Barry Klein and uses Trendsetter Celebrate yarn. Available in five sizes ranging from Small to 1X, the sweater is constructed to fit bust measurements of 37" to 57" (including ease), with an additional 6" of fabric at the bottom to create the characteristic A-line swing shape.

Techniques Used

This sweater employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished design:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is knitted from the lower body upward, beginning with cast-on stitches at the hem
• Worked flat: The majority of the pattern is worked flat on straight needles, allowing for seaming later
• Seamed construction: Pieces are joined together using seaming techniques to create the finished garment
• Stripe work: The pattern incorporates striping elements throughout the design
• Shaped yoke: The upper portion features a twisted cross stitched yoke with strategic shaping
• Dart shaping: Double decreases (DMD) are used at specific intervals to create fitted shaping and contour the garment
• Armhole shaping: Bind-off and decrease sections are worked to create properly fitted armholes

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches executed with precision:

• Ribbed Stitch (Rib St.): Created by alternating knit and purl stitches (*K1, P1*) across rows, with subsequent rows worked as stitches appear. This elastic stitch is used for the lower edge ribbing, providing stretch and recovery
• Stockinette Stitch (Stock St.): The primary stitch throughout the body, created by knitting all stitches on right-side rows and purling all stitches on wrong-side rows. This creates the smooth, classic knit fabric that forms the base of the sweater
• Double Decrease (DMD): A shaping technique where two stitches are slipped as if to knit together, one stitch is knitted, and the two slipped stitches are passed over the knitted stitch. This creates a centered double decrease used strategically for dart shaping and fitted construction
• Twisted Cross Stitch: A decorative stitch element featured in the yoke area, adding visual interest and texture to the upper garment

Materials and Gauge

The sweater is knitted using Trendsetter Celebrate yarn (color #4162), with yardage requirements of 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 balls of 100-gram weight depending on size selection. U.S. #6 knitting needles are used throughout the pattern. The gauge is established at 20 stitches equals 4 inches when working Stockinette Stitch with the specified needle and yarn, making accurate gauge swatching essential for proper fit. Trendsetter Yarn Group serves as the exclusive U.S. distributor for this yarn line, along with Cardiff Cashmere, GGH, and Lana Grossa products.

Pattern Construction Details

The back piece begins with a cast-on of 110 to 158 stitches depending on size, worked in ribbed stitch for 1 inch before transitioning to stockinette stitch. Strategic dart shaping through double decreases is introduced at 5 inches from the cast-on edge, with additional decrease sections placed at 8 inches, 11 inches, and 15 inches to create the fitted silhouette. The body continues to approximately 17½ to 18½ inches before armhole shaping begins. Armhole shaping involves binding off stitches at the beginning of rows and working additional decreases to create properly proportioned arm openings. The twisted cross stitched yoke is incorporated into the upper portion of the sweater, adding both structural shaping and decorative detail to the neckline and shoulder area.