Barberry Sweater Kits - DK
Design by Zanete Knits
This kit includes one free pattern
Introducing the charming Barberry Sweater! Our second collaboration with Zanete Knits, created in our vintage 23 yarn, it is the latest gem in a floral round yoke collection. This top-down, DK weight wonder is a tribute to the resilient beauty of the barberry plant, with its hardiness mirrored in the deep and rich colour work that extends beyond the yoke, offering both warmth and style.
Crafted for versatility, the Barberry pattern brings you two styles in one: choose between an elegant pullover or a chic cardigan. Each option is an adventure in knitting, featuring eye-catching aesthetics and innovative techniques. Embrace the challenge of managing long floats with the clever ladderback jacquard method, adding a layered dimension to your knitting skills.
And for those with a flair for the intricate, explore the art of twined knitting to impart your creation with an exquisite, sophisticated touch. Choosing the cardigan? We've got you covered with thorough guidance on seamless seeking, ensuring you're supported every stitch of the way.
Difficulty ***
Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Pullover: Finished bust circumference
91 (102, 112.5, 120, 132.5, 142, 152.5, 162, 171) cm
36 1/4, 40 3/4, 45, 48, 53, 56 3/4, 61, 64 3/4, 68 1/4
Cardigan: Finished bust circumference
96 (107, 117.5, 125, 137.5, 147, 157.5, 167, 176) cm
38 1/4, 42 3/4, 47, 50, 55, 58 3/4, 63, 66 3/4 , 70 1/4
Designed to be worn with 15-20 cm / 6 - 8” positive ease around the chest.
To choose the most appropriate size, measure the wearer's chest and add the preferred ease. Or measure the circumference of an already-owned sweater/cardigan that fits well. Then find the closest finished chest circumference.
The yarns used in the sample (cardigan in size 2) is our Vintage 23 DK (100% wool; 112 m [122 yds] / 50 g): 9 skeins in Natural Grey as the main colour and 3 skeins in Claret as the contrast colour.
Depending on the option chosen and the length of the garment, allow approximately:
KITS (each kit includes one free pattern)
Size 1: 8 x 50g DK skeins MC, 3 x 50g DK skeins CC
Size 2: 9 x 50g DK skeins MC, 3 x 50g DK skeins CC
Size 3: 10 x 50g DK skeins MC, 3 x 50g DK skeins CC
Size 4/5: 11 x 50g DK skeins MC, 3 x 50g DK skeins CC
Size 6: 12 x 50g DK skeins MC, 4 x 50g DK skeins CC
Size 7/8: 13 x 50g DK skeins MC, 4 x 50g DK skeins CC
Size 9: 14 x 50g DK skeins MC, 4 x 50g DK skeins CC
For a longer length please add additional vintage 23 DK skeins here
A bit about vintage 23
You know the joy and sheer satisfaction of turning beautiful wool into favourite garments? Well, you’re going to love vintage 23! It’s our latest yarn blend and, in keeping with the wool decanted aim to create the softest British yarns, vintage 23 is right up there on the softness scale. It’s deliciously next to skin soft!
How did we produce such a soft yarn?
We chose our fibres carefully. Starting first with the white of Falklands Polwarth with its long staple length which produces a strong, smooth, and silky yarn. It’s soft enough to be worn next to the skin. Then we added some white Romney fibre from Kent, with a long and lustrous staple, and well-defined crimp, adding a bit of depth and strength to the blend. We knew, from creating our vintage 20 yarn, that adding a small amount of coloured fleece to the white would create a uniquely coloured base. We added just a touch of black Shetland fibre to the white. Rich black Scottish Shetland locks, from the softest part of the Shetland fleece, mixed with the pure white of the Polwarth and Romney created a beautiful, natural, light heathery grey base.
What about the colours?
Dyed as blended tops, the light grey base has allowed for colour of a special richness in our 8-colour palette. We’re going to be able to create some great colour combinations, and the natural grey works with all of them! We’ve replicated many of our existing colours and added the natural grey, Bottle Green, Claret and Island Dusk (a beautiful dusky pink).
How was it spun?
Worsted-spun in West Yorkshire to our specification, vintage 23 has excellent stitch definition, perfect for texture and colour work, and it blooms beautifully when blocked. It’s available in both DK (4/9nm) and 4ply/light fingering (2/9nm) weights. The meterage/yardage is the same as our vintage 20 and vintage 21 yarns – 225m/50g in 4pl, and 112m/50g in DK.
