A cup of tea with Marlene

A Cup of Tea with Marlene Sweater by Cla.knits

Garment Overview

A Cup of Tea with Marlene is a seamless, top-down knit sweater designed by Claudia Cappella for late summer wear. This intermediate-level knitting project combines vintage styling with feminine details, featuring wide raglan sleeves and a deep neckline. The sweater is worked primarily in the round with an initial flat knitting section, making it an accessible project for knitters with intermediate experience.

Design Features and Construction Techniques

The Marlene sweater employs several key construction techniques that define its aesthetic and structure. The garment is constructed top down, allowing for easy fitting adjustments as you work. The wide raglan sleeves provide a distinctive vintage silhouette that sets this design apart from contemporary fitted styles. A deep neckline adds feminine appeal and versatility for layering or wearing alone during warmer months.

Short rows are strategically incorporated into the sleeve construction to shape the bottom of the sleeves, creating a refined fit at the cuff. Decorative buttons are added as a finishing detail, enhancing both the visual interest and the vintage character of the design. The sweater is seamless, which eliminates seaming work and creates a smooth, comfortable garment.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Stockinette stitch forms the primary fabric of the sweater body and sleeves
• Ribbing (1/1) is used for cuff and neckline finishing, providing elasticity and a polished edge

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is designed using HolstGarn Coast Uld Bomuld, a blend of 55% lambswool and 45% cotton, held together with Regia 4 Ply Color. This combination creates a soft, breathable fabric ideal for late summer wear. The pattern specifies 4 ply yarn weight, which produces a lightweight, drapey garment suitable for warm-weather layering.

Knitting needles required include 3.5 mm needles for the main stockinette fabric and 3 mm needles for ribbing sections. The designer emphasizes the importance of knitting a gauge swatch and washing it before beginning the project to ensure accurate finished measurements.

Gauge Information

• HolstGarn Coast Uld Bomuld in stockinette stitch with 3.5 mm needles: 22 stitches × 30 rows over 10 × 10 cm
• Regia 4 Ply Color in 1/1 ribbing with 3 mm needles: 22 stitches × 40 rows over 10 × 10 cm

Accurate gauge is essential for this project to achieve the intended fit and drape. The designer recommends washing your gauge swatch to account for any blocking or relaxation of the fibers before calculating your cast-on numbers.