Dr Watson's Lopi Sweater
I have always loved Lopi sweaters (whatever the era) and I thought the one worn by Martin Freeman in Sherlock (2011 - was it that long ago?!) was especially good. I love the navy base and the Christmassy air about it. For all I know, in the context of the show, it may have been meant as a joke Christmas jumper - but I love it despite many Sherlock fans labelling as ugly (ugly?!).
As you can see this pattern I have provided here, as made popular in the 70s and 80s, goes with the muted natural tones of the era, so you would need to change the colours to your own choice - mine being navy white and red, of course. You can, however, see in the picture what a difference the colour scheme makes; both his and hers sweaters are knitted to the same pattern, and yet with a change to the main shade and order of contrasts it looks like quite a different pattern.
Instructions.Note: When working colour pattern from chart, strand yarn not
in use loosely across wrong side of work over not more than 3 stitches
at a time to keep fabric elastic. Back and Front (alike)With 5mm needles and main shade A, cast on 75 [79,
83, 87, 91,
95] stitches, and work in K1/P1 rib
for 4 inches (10cm), right-side rows having K1 at each end, and ending
with wrong side facing for next row. Change to 6mm needles and starting with a knit row, work in stocking stitch until work measures 15½ (15½, 15, 14½, 15, 14½] inches, (39 [39, 38, 37, 38, 37] cm), ending with a purl row. Shape armholes by casting off 5 stitches at the beginning of the
next 2 rows. Sleeves (two alike)With 5mm needles and main shade A, cast on 33 [35,
37, 39, 39,
41] stitches, and work in rib as
on Back for 4 inches (10cm), and ending with wrong side facing for next
row. Change to 6mm needles and starting with a knit row, work in stocking stitch, shaping sides by increasing 1 stitch at each end of the 3rd [3rd, 5th, 3rd, 7th, 7th) row. Continue in stocking stitch in main colour
only on 6mm needles and increase 1 stitch at each end of every following
8th [8th, 9th,
9th, 9th, 8th]
row until there are 58 [60, 60,
64, 64, 68]
stitches. Shape armholes by casting off 5 stitches at the beginning of the
next 2 rows. 1st, 3rd, 4th and 6th sizes only: Decrease 1 stitch at each end of the next row. Work 1 row. All sizes: Leave remaining
44 [46, 44,
48, 48, 50]
stitches on a spare needle or stitch holder. Yoke and Neck BorderWith right side facing, slip the first 32 [33,
34, 36, 37,
38] stitches from the back on a spare
needle with points at both ends. If you are using 6 double pointed needles, then divide the stitches evenly
on 5 needles. Mark the first stitch of the round with a coloured thread,
then joining in and breaking off colours as required, work the 32 [32,
32, 36, 36,
36] rounds from Chart A [A,
A, B, B,
B], repeating the 8 pattern stitches
27 [28, 28,
30, 31 , 32]
times across and decreasing where indicated. Chart AChart BBreak 1st and 2nd contrasts and continue in main shade only. Shape Back as follows: Change to set of four (or circular) 5mm needles and decrease 1 stitch
on the first round on 1st and 5th sizes only
(to make them an even number of stitches). To Make UpWith wrong side of work facing, block each piece by pinning out round edges, and omitting ribbing press lightly following any instructions on the ball band. When making up a chunky garment it is easier to use an oddment of finer yarn in a toning shade for the sewing. If you prefer to make up with the original yarn, use 76cm lengths and a large needle, making sure the yarn keeps its original twist by turning the needle clockwise between fingers and thumb after every few stitches. Join armhole, side and sleeve seams. Press seams. |
MaterialsChunky knitting yarn: 2 balls in each of 2 contrast colours for all sizes. Pair each 5mm, 6mm, and 6½mm needles. Tension15sts and 20 rows to four inches on 6mm needles over stocking stitch.
Size mattersTo fit chest: Abbreviations k: knit A word on the wool.Original yarn was Patons Husky Chunky. Disclaimer
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Note that Dr Watson has patterning just above the welts on the body and the sleeve.
If you want to knit the actual original, it is Alafoss 52 - again looking quite different in the natural tones associated with Icelandic sweaters.