Colorful for beginners: Meet Iktsuarpok

Like Ailyak, Iktsuarpok also uses tapestry crochet for the colorwork section, however, the stitches and yarn weight used make this one a true beginner’s pattern.

But before I forget, here are some important links!

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

Iktsuarpok (Inuit) – the feeling of anticipation while waiting for someone to arrive, often leading to intermittently going outside to check for them.

The feeling of Iktsuarpok is something I am most familiar with when waiting for Spring, especially if the Winter was particularly harsh or snowy. Looking out the window in search of those first buds is how I spend most mornings during that time, and the Iktsuarpok tank is a taste of that beautiful feeling that comes when flowers finally start blooming, days get longer and the sun warms the earth again. It is a colorful tank top worked seamlessly bottom-up with tapestry crochet accents in the body, a rounded neckline that is lower at the back and an accent edging around armhole openings and neckline.

Here are some reasons why this one is one of the easiest patterns in the book:

It uses DK weight yarn - it’s not a very fine weight which means fast progress!
The colorwork is done with tapestry crochet but uses scBLO - one of the easiest sts for tapestry.
The whole colorwork section is done in the round - this means NO SEAMS! And actually, the only sewing done in the whole top is at the shoulder straps!
You will only work with TWO colors at a time, never more.

The book includes a detailed chapter on each of the colorwork techniques used. The Tapestry Crochet chapters includes different variations on the technique and it shows you how differently the colorwork looks by changing the stitches used. I really enjoyed writing this chapter and working on all of those fun samples!

Sizes + Measurement

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

These are the actual garment measurements. Choose size based on body measurements and desired ease.

Finished Bust Circumference: 32½ (35½, 38¼, 44¼, 47¼) (50¼, 56, 59, 62) in / 82.5 (90, 97.5, 112.5, 120) (127.5, 142.5, 150, 157) cm

Body length is adjustable to desired length. Designed with 1–4in (2.5–10cm) of ease.

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:

Knit Picks Swish DK (100% Superwash Merino), light worsted (DK), 50g (123yd/112m), in the following colors:A: Nutmeg Heather; 1¼ (1¼, 1¼, 1½, 1¾) (1¾, 2, 2, 2¼) skeinsB: Moss; ½ (¾, ¾, ¾, 1) (1, 1, 1, 1¼) skeinsC: Amethyst Heather; 2¼ (2¼, 2½, 2¾, 3) (3¼, 3½, 3¾, 3¾) skeins

Other yarn alternatives

If you’re looking for other options, any DK weight will work, but here are some suggestions, including some that might be a bit better for warm weather!

Knit Picks / WeCrochet

Gloss DK (70% Merino wool, 30% Silk)

CotLin (70% Tanguis Cotton, 30% Linen)

Lovecrafts.com

Willow & Lark Heath Solids (70% Wool 30% Acrylic)

Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo & Cotton DK (60% Bamboo 40% Cotton)

Lion Bran Yarn

LB Collection® Superwash Merino Yarn (100% Superwash Merino Wool)

Coboo (50% Cotton, 50% Rayon from Bamboo)

Yardage

Yarn A:
- 131¼ (142¼, 153¼, 180½, 202½) (202½, 224¼, 240¾, 251¾) yd
- 120 (130, 140, 165, 185) (185, 205, 220, 230) m
- Yarn B:
  - 65¾ (71¼, 76¾, 93, 98½) (104, 115, 120¼, 126) yd
  - 60 (65, 70, 85, 90) (95, 105, 110, 115) m
  - Yarn C:
    - 251¾ (273½, 295½, 328¼, 350) (383, 415¾, 437½, 459½) yd
    - 230 (250, 270, 300, 320) (350, 380, 400, 420) m

Amounts included 10% extra for swatching and margin or error.

Amounts are approximate for a semi–cropped top.

Techniques used

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

Crochet Cord
Tapestry Crochet

Testers

My testers were incredibly important and helpful during the writing of this book. I am forever grateful to them! Here are some of their projects (click on the images to be directed to their Instagram account)

You can also find the pattern on Ravelry and see their projects if you would like to know more information about the materials they used and the size they made.

Iktsuarpok on Ravelry