The Sparkle sweater combines all my very favourite things about colourwork. The small, geometric motifs make me happy. The simple structure and stockinette body and sleeves are perfect for keeping my hands busy, as I chat with friends. It’s everything I look for in a sweater. And the colour palette options? Endless delight! This pattern comes in our baby-to-big size range and DK or sock-/sport-weight yarn.
The sparkly little colourwork motifs in this yoke call out JUST ONE MORE ROUND…and I oblige before realizing I’ve ‘one more rounded’ myself into the wee hours of the morning. (Those who know my status as queen of the night owls won’t be surprised by this at all.) I just have to keep going to see what the next round will bring – never too far from a colour change or new motif!
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Three palettes
Sparkle sweater started with a minty, Yuletide palette for Bodhi, and Emily was inspired to knit for nephew Charlie in a Christmassy combo, too. But as the leaves started to change, I just had to cast on with some rich, warm autumn hues. Let’s check out each of the palettes we put together for this sparkly little sweater: marvelous mints, classic Christmas colours, and autumnal vibes.
Marvelous mints
Designs start a lot of different ways. Sometimes a stitch pattern sparks an idea; other times it’s a yarn. One time I even dreamed a new pattern… But this yoke? It was all about that marvellously minty palette!
I started Bodhi’s sweater in the soft and lovely Soka’pii from The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers. Candice dyes one of my favourite mints, Juniper. It strikes the perfect balance of green/blue and gives off excellent icy vibes. I paired Juniper with a pop of Flower Point, a bright, orangey red. Supporting characters Undercurrent and Emil tied it all together.
Classic Christmas colours
When Emily made the DK sample for this design, she reached for Rainbow Heirloom yarns. (She has QUITE the stash of Nina’s rainbows, which are perfect for colourwork!) She started with her favourite, the deliciously deep Evergreen. She then pulled in Jewel Sea and Blue Raspberry for some fun hits of teal, and rounded out the palette with cheery red Cardinal Feather. You can find Sparkle kits from Rainbow Heirloom in Nina’s beautiful, curated palettes here.
Autumnal vibes
For the adult-sized Sparkle sample – also in The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers Soka’pii – I went a different direction, choosing to play with an autumnal palette. I didn’t stray too far, loving the sparks of bright red among the neutral Napi, paired with golden Sunny’s and rust-toned Eagle Eye. The contrast level here is low, which makes for an almost monochrome effect. It’s all 70s vibes and autumn leaves with this one!
A Sweater for beginners
With small repeats and an easy-to-assemble colour combination, the Sparkle yoke is PERFECT for beginners. If you’re not sure where to begin, check out our top sweater and colourwork tutorials on:
- Getting started with colourwork
- Choosing yarn for a colourwork sweater
- Swatching for colourwork
- Colour palette strategies
- Blocking a sweater
- Understanding ease
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October 26, 2023 @ 7:23 am
How beautiful those samples. I still have yarn leftover from the one I made based on the book you published and my kids gifted me. I’m going to try this one.