Yarn for the Trails Sweater by Safiyyah Talley

Safiyyah Talley took one look at the Morehouse Merino 3-strand variegated yarn and knew just how to feature a solo skein:  as the yoke, hem, and sleeve trim on a beginner-friendly color work sweater.  “I wanted it to look like jewelry,” she told us about the source for her inspiration!

Knit from the top down with just one color per row, on a US#8 needle, this is a fast and friendly sweater for all skill levels.  If you can knit and purl, you can do it!  (Well, it’s also helpful to know how to cast on, bind off, and slip a stitch :). There’s also a place where you can add some waist shaping if desired (that takes a k2tog or an SSK, and then the corresponding increases) and a few short rows that once you’ve completed them, you’ll wonder what all the fuss was about.  (This is an easy method to make the neckline of your sweater higher in the back than in the front.  And yes, we have a video for that!)

Safiyyah designed TWO lengths:  cropped and full-length.  Her sample is knit in Lavender, with Grand Canal as the contrast color.  These colors are so well coordinated they were meant to be together!

We made own sweaters too, and decided to show off two different approaches to the color work.  Hilary chose Autumn Fields and Thyme, which shows the variegated in a whole new light.  Erin’s bold contrast shows variegated Black & White with a main color of Fuchsia.  So many amazing choices!

And, the best compliment of all from Safiyyah:  “I have eczema, so my skin is really sensitive – and I wore your sweater ALL night!”

Pattern:  Trails Sweater by Safiyyah Talley – get it on Ravelry!

Sizes:  34.25″ (39, 43.75, 47.25) (52, 54.25, 55, 59.75) in / 87(99, 111, 115.5) (128.5, 138, 139.5, 152) cm

Yarn: Morehouse Farm Merino 3 Strand Worsted
Color A: 5(6, 7, 7) (8, 9, 9, 10) skeins for cropped and 6(7, 8, 8) (9, 10, 10, 11) for full length.
Color B:1(1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 1, 2) skeins for cropped or for full length.

Needles:   US 7 / 4.5 mm (or smaller than the size needed to obtain gauge) needles for working both large and small circumferences.
US 8 / 5 mm (or size needed to obtain gauge) needles for working both large and small circumferences.

Gauge: 15 sts / 24 rounds = a 4×4 in / 10×10 cm swatch in stockinette, with color A using gauge-sized needles, blocked.
Please note that your colorwork row gauge will be significantly shorter than plain stockinette.

Photos by Safiyyah Talley, Francesca Russell, and Morehouse Farm.