Quail Studio Mable PDF

Quail Studio Mable Knitted Sweater

What is Being Made

The Quail Studio Mable is a knitted sweater designed as a bottom-up construction project. This garment is worked in pieces using the flat knitting method and then seamed together, making it an ideal project for knitters who prefer traditional garment assembly techniques. The sweater features tailored shaping at the shoulders and neckline, with sleeve cap shaping for a fitted silhouette.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several essential knitting techniques to create a professionally finished garment:

• Bottom-up construction: The sweater is knitted from the lower edges upward, allowing you to try on the garment as you progress and easily adjust length if needed
• Flat knitting: All pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, making this accessible for knitters of all skill levels
• Seamed assembly: Individual pieces (front, back, and sleeves) are knitted separately and then sewn together using mattress stitch or similar seaming techniques for a polished finish
• Shoulder shaping: Strategic decreases create sloped shoulders for a comfortable, tailored fit
• Neck shaping: Decreases and stitch holder techniques shape the front neckline for a flattering finish
• Sleeve cap shaping: Decreases at regular intervals create a properly fitted sleeve cap that sits smoothly at the shoulder

Stitches Used

The Mable sweater is primarily constructed using fundamental knitting stitches that create a classic, versatile fabric:

• Stockinette stitch (st st): The main stitch throughout the garment, creating a smooth, traditional knit fabric with a flat appearance on the right side
• Knit and purl decreases: Techniques including K2tog (knit two together) and slip-stitch decreases (Sl 1 purlwise, P1, psso) are used for shaping at necklines and sleeve caps
• Increases: Increases worked as set are used to gradually expand the garment width during construction

Materials and Specifications

The Mable pattern is designed to be worked with worsted weight yarn, specifically calling for a blend of two complementary yarns held together:

• Rowan Pure Wool Worsted: One strand of this pure wool yarn provides structure and warmth
• Rowan Kidsilk Haze: One strand of this delicate silk and kid mohair blend is held together with the wool, adding softness, drape, and subtle sheen to the finished fabric

The pattern requires 5mm (US 8) needles for the main fabric and 4.5mm (US 7) needles for ribbed or fitted sections. The recommended tension is 16 stitches and 20 rows to 10cm (4 inches) measured over stockinette stitch, which is essential for achieving the correct finished garment size.

Additional Pattern Components

The pattern includes helpful extras to support your knitting process: stitch holders for managing stitches during neckline shaping, stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping points, and detailed making-up instructions that guide you through pressing and seaming the finished pieces together.