Meet Ailyak

This is the first of a series of blog post in which I will tell you all you need to know about each of the designs in my book, Colorful Crochet Knitwear.

This beauty made it to the cover and is quickly becoming a favorite since a few of you have already asked me for materials and yardage information! How exciting! So before I tell you a little more about this lovely colorful pullover, let me give you some important links!

Colorful Crochet Knitwear is to be released on April 12th, 2022 and you can preorder NOW here:

Ailyak (Bulgarian) – the art of doing everything slowly with no rush, while enjoying the process and life in general; like the Swahili ‘hakuna matata’.

This pullover represents the beauty of slowing down and enjoying life in general, a reminder to see the flowers grow and stop to smell them. It is a round yoke pullover constructed from the top down. The tapestry colorwork in the yoke, body, and sleeves will keep you interested during the process of making the jumper and the result is a striking piece of clothing that will elevate any wardrobe.

There are short rows that shape the neckline and charts to follow along the yoke, body, and sleeves.

It’s made using esc (extended single crochet), a modified single crochet stitch that makes tapestry crochet look very nice without the faff of using waistcoat stitch. It is a very easy project, but it does take some time. It really is one to enjoy the process of.

Sizes + Measurement

All of the garment patterns in the book come in 9 sizes.

These are the finished garment bust measurements. Choose the size that will fit your body and desired ease.

Bust: 31¼ (34½, 37¾, 41, 46) (49¼, 52½, 57½, 62 3/8) in / 79 (87.5, 96, 104, 117) (125, 133.5, 146, 158.5) cm

Complete schematics in the book include more points of measurement, but when it comes to choosing a size, bust measurements are the most important in a straight pullover like this one.

Materials

Yarn

I used Less Traveled YarnTweed Me Sock (85% merino wool, 15% Donegal nep), fingering (2ply), 100g (438yd/400m), in Jack Pine; and Coupe (80% merino wool, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon) sock (3ply), 100g (382yd/349m), in Vice.

Other yarn alternatives

If you’re looking for other options, any fingering weight will work, but here are some suggestions. Although cotton or linen would work well in this project, I recommend some wool content to keep the colorwork looking neat.

Knit Picks / WeCrochet

Twill Fingering (100% Fine Superwash Merino Wool)

Palette (100% Peruvian Highland Wool)

Stroll (75% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon)

Stroll Tweed (65% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon, 10% Donegal Tweed (made of 70% acrylic, 30% viscose))

Capretta Superwash (80% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon)

Lovecrafts.com

Debbie Bliss Toast 4 Ply (65% Wool 25% Polyamide 10% Cashmere)

MillaMia Naturally Soft Sock (75% Wool 25% Polyamide)

Debbie Bliss Fine Donegal (95% Wool 5% Cashmere)

Paintbox Yarns Socks Solids (75% Wool 25% Polyamide)

Yardage

Yardage:

For a cropped top with long sleeves.

Yarn A:

1350 (1520, 1720, 1800, 1980) (2240, 2340, 2560, 2760) yd

1235 (1390, 1573, 1646, 1811) (2049, 2140, 2341, 2524) m

Yarn B:

820 (920, 1040, 1090, 1200) (1350, 1410, 1550, 1670) yd

750 (842, 951, 997, 1098) (1235, 1290, 1418, 1436) m

For a full-length top with long sleeves.

Yarn A:

1640 (1840, 2080, 2190, 2410) (2700, 2830, 3100, 3340) yd

1500 (1683, 1902, 2003, 2204) (2469, 2588, 2835, 3054) m

Yarn B:

1000 (1110, 1250, 1320, 1450) (1630, 1710, 1870, 2020) yd

915 (1015, 1143, 1208, 1326) (1491, 1564, 1710, 1847) m

Techniques used

Here is a list of the techniques used to make this pullover. I have added links to audio-visual aid that you might find helpful. More videos will be added in time.