Wednesday, July 29, 2026, Issue 450: What's on your needles?

The Hope Sweater by Elenor Mortensen is a loose-fitting sweater with lace and cable patterns along all the edges.

The circular pattern—in which individual lines first form smaller patterns and later come together to create a larger whole, where every detail, no matter how small, is important—symbolizes the hope for greater respect and solidarity.

The pattern instructions describe the long-sleeve version in Merino Silk Single and the short-sleeve version in pure silk.

I recommend a positive ease of 10–15 cm for both sweaters.

Sizes
1, 2, 3 (4, 5, 6) 7, 8, 9, corresponding roughly to XS, S, M (L, XL, XXL) 3 XL, 4XL, 5XL

Circumference of the finished garment
37.8, 40, 42.5 (45.2, 47.6, 50.8) 52.8, 55.1, 57.9″ / 96, 102, 108 (115, 121, 128) 134, 140, 147cm

Gauge
25 sts x 33 rnds = 4x4″ /10 x 10cm with 3,5mm needles in lace pattern and in stockinette, after wet blocking.
Should the gauge for pattern be bigger or smaller, adapt the size of the needles.

Yarn
Long-sleeve version: approx. 1060, 1126, 1202 (1280, 1367, 1465) 1563, 1684, 1804 yards / 970, 1030, 1100 (1170, 1250, 1340) 1430, 1540, 1650m

Short-sleeve version: approx. 765, 810, 865 (920, 985, 1050) 1126, 1205, 1290 Yards / 700, 740, 790 (840, 900, 960) 1030, 1100, 1180m

Needles
3.25 mm and 2.5 mm circular needle, 40cm long, or a set of 3.25 mm and 2.5 mm double-pointed needles
3.5 mm circular needle, 40cm (or a set of 3.5bmm double-pointed needles) and 80cm long

Sollas by Rebecca Clow is a top down pattern with simultaneous set-in sleeves. First part of the back is worked, then the fronts and then it’s worked as one piece where the sleeves are shaped with increases in the yoke.

This pattern includes instructions for both a DK and fingering weight sweater, long and short sleeves and bust shaping.

Gauge
DK: 17 stitches and 27 rows in stockinette = 10cm/4 inches
Fingering: 24 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette = 10cm/4 inches

Finished Measurements
DK WEIGHT
Tee/Henley: 70.5 (82.5, 92, 101, 110.5, 122.5) (132, 141, 150.5, 162.5, 172) cm/27.75 (32.5, 36.25, 39.75, 43.5, 48.25) (52, 55.5, 59.25, 64, 67.5) inches

Cardigan: 71 (83, 92.5, 102, 111, 123) (132.5, 142, 151, 163, 172.5) cm/28 (32.75, 36.5, 40, 43.75, 48.5) (52.25, 55.75, 59.5, 64.25, 68) inches

FINGERING
Tee/Henley: 71.5 (81.5, 91.5, 101.5, 111.5, 121.5) (131.5, 141.5, 151.5, 161.5, 171.5) cm/28.25 (32.25, 36, 40, 44, 48) (51.75, 55.75, 59.75, 63.75, 67.5) inches

Cardigan: 70 (80, 90, 100, 110, 120) (130, 140, 150, 160, 170) cm/27.5 (31.5, 35.5, 39.25, 43.25, 47.25) (51.25, 55, 59, 63, 67) inches

Bust Shaping
Working the D cup will give a finished chest size approx. 5cm/2 inches larger than listed above.

Working the F cup will give a finished chest size approx. 10cm/4 inches larger than listed above.

Designed to have 0-8cm/0-3 inches positive ease

Choosing the size to knit:
This sweater has optional bust shaping. The three options correspond to a B, D, and F cup. To determine which size to knit, you will want to take your full bust measurement and your “high bust” measurement (this is the circumference of your body at the armhole). If you’ve never done these measurements before, this blog post may be helpful:

https://blog.cashmerette.com/2020/08/high-bust-measuremen…

If “full bust measurement - high bust measurement” is

less than 5 cm/2 inches, follow the standard instructions.

between 5 cm/2 inches and 10 cm/4 inches, follow the D cup instructions.

between 10 cm/4 inches and 15 cm/6 inches, follow the F cup instructions.

For those following the D and F cup options, you will add extra stitches for the front in the front raglans and work a vertical dart in the body to remove those additional stitches.

If the sizing/cup options are confusing, feel free to email me at the email in the pattern for guidance on selecting a size.

Yardage - DK
Short sleeve: 503 (581, 652, 728, 802, 902) (983, 1070, 1150, 1275, 1347) meters/548 (633, 711, 794, 874, 983) (1071, 1166, 1254, 1389, 1468) yards

Long sleeve: 769 (861, 956, 1055, 1152, 1276) (1394, 1513, 1631, 1779, 1870) meters/838 (939, 1042, 1150, 1256, 1390) (1519, 1649, 1778, 1939, 2038) yards

Yardage - fingering
Short sleeve: 413 (477, 536, 598, 659, 741) (807, 879, 945, 1047, 1106) meters/450 (520, 584, 652, 718, 808) (880, 958, 1030, 1141, 1206) yards

Long sleeve: 632 (707, 785, 866, 946, 1048) (1145, 1243, 1340, 1461, 1536) meters/688 (771, 856, 944, 1032, 1142) (1248, 1355, 1460, 1593, 1674) yards

Note: If you work the optional bust shaping, you will require up to 25 m/27 yds of additional yarn.

Customisation
It would be fairly simple to add stripes or a simple lace repeat to this pattern. The easiest way to do this would be to start this AFTER you’ve picked up the stitches across the top of the shoulders for the sleeves.

Suggested Yarn
Sandnes Garn Line (DK), Berroco Remix Light (DK), Garnstudio Drops Flora (Fingering) and the yarn below.

Luiza (BehnluKnits) knit her Sollas using Malabrigo Sock in Legend with Regia Premium Merino Yak as her main colour.

SSAL 2026: Chameleonic Socks by Stephen West

This year’s SSAL design, called Chameleonic Socks, is all about self-striping yarn combined with a striking solid.

Surprise your toes with a brand new pair of handknit socks for the fourth annual Westknits Surprise Sock Along. For this year’s design, all you need is one ball of color-changing yarn like Schoppel Wolle Zauberball Crazy with a contrasting solid yarn like West Wool HEX. The self-striping yarn colors will change and flow throughout the fabric like a chameleon crawling through the rainforest foliage.

Are you going to blend into the shadows with a low-contrast color combo or burst into the sunshine with vivid color pops? Prepare for this year’s Chameleonic Socks to transform how you think socks can be constructed.

When does the SSAL start?
Clue 1 - July 28 (cast on)
Clue 2 - August 4
Clue 3 - August 11
Clue 4 - August 18 (final design revealed!)

Color Relationship
These socks are designed to highlight color changing and self-striping yarns (color B) combined with a solid contrast color (color A).

If you do not have a color changing sock yarn, the design will also look absolutely stunning in 2 solid colors for a bold contrast effect.

Want to use a variegated sock yarn or splashy speckled yarn? Multi-colored variegated or speckled yarns would look fabulous as color B paired with a contrasting solid for color A.

Think about color B as the statement color, perfect for eye-catching multi-colored yarns. Think about color A as the solid contrast/accent color. Color A will pop out if it’s a much lighter or darker than color B. If color A is closer in contrast to your multi-color/color changing color B, then you will achieve a more subtle shadow effect.

Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4)

Finished Measurements
6 (7.5, 9, 10.5)″ / 15 (19, 23, 27)cm leg and foot circumference. Measurements taken after blocking. These are the measurements of the sock.

Socks are designed to fit an actual foot circumference of 7 (8.5, 10, 11.5)″ / 18 (22, 25, 29)cm. The socks are designed to fit with negative ease. Choose a size with a finished foot circumference measurement that is approximately 1″ / 2.5cm smaller than your actual foot circumference, so that the sock will fit nice and snug on your foot.

The length of the foot is easily customizable.

Yarn
Fingering weight

Yardage
Color A - 140 (180, 220, 260)yds / 128 (165, 201, 238)m
Color B - 220 (280, 320, 360)yds / 201 (256, 293, 329)m

These yardage amounts are approximate based on my sample knits and test knits.

Color A = solid or semi-solid sock yarn
Color B = self-striping sock yarn

You can use any fingering weight sock yarn to participate. Get two contrasting colorways and cast on!

Needles
US 0 / 2mm DPNs or size needed to obtain gauge

If you want to knit both socks simultaneously, then you will need two sets of needles.

You can use a circular needle if you prefer. US 0 / 2mm circular needle in 40″ / 100cm length or size needed to obtain gauge. If you are using the Magic Loop method, then you will also need 1 spare double pointed needle in the same size or smaller for holding sts or you could use 1 spare circular needle in the same size or smaller for holding sts.

If you want to knit both socks simultaneously, then you will need two sets of DPNs or circular needles.

FOs and WIPs

My daughter has been asking for more clothes for my granddaughter's Little Cotton Rabbit's by Julie Williams bunny collection. I cast on the Top Down Cardigan from the Seasonal Sweaters Collection.

One more for her collection! I knit one for each grandchild and the the great nieces. Hunter has been handed down a few of the bunnies and needs a bigger wardrobe!

Last Thursday, I cast on my third Sunshine Coast by Heidi Kirrmaier. I am knitting it with Sandnes Garn Line in 1002 White.

I am a loose knitter but used 3.25 mm and 3.5 mm needles for this yarn with other projects but found the loose. For this one, I cast on using 3.0 mm needles. I like the fabric but my gauge is tighter than it was with my other projects. I will need to work more repeats to get my size.

This has been been moving along rather quickly...I have been knitting instead of doing other things!

I worked 3 extra sets of increases so that my yoke is 7.8 inches and I am ready to separate the sleeves from the body.

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

Debbie (Swifty849) finished this stunning Barchan Pullover by Irina Anikeeva.

The back is just as amazing.

The cables and twisted stitches have great stitch definition. Yarn is Lofty Fibre Linen (Euroflax) that I no longer carry.

Stefani (stefanilittle) is loving her Gnoel Gnome by Sarah Schirra.

Sandi (sandima) knit this Christmasy Gnoel Gnome by Sarah Schirra for Stefani with a cabled beard and a kangaroo pocket a la Gnicki by request and a shorter hat.