In today’s post, I will be introducing the Penger Pullover and this one feels pretty special to share with you. First up, this is my first self-published pattern in a while. A self-published pattern means that it wasn’t originally featured in a magazine or yarn company’s collection. And secondly, Penger was done in partnership with Kettle Yarns Co.! If you’ve been following me or Pom Pom Publishing, you’ll remember a few designs that I did in the past using Kettle Yarns Co. First there was my Ketch Harbour Shawl in Take Heart: A Transatlantic Knitting Journey, knit in Kettle Yarn Co.’s Islington DK. Then, there was Sparklers Hat in their 25th Anniversary Issue, knit in the Beyul 4ply.
It was Linda Lencovic, the owner and dyer behind Kettle Yarn Co., who reached out to me about working together again. Normally, I am very hesitant about self-publishing. It’s a lot of work on top of designing and writing the pattern, there’s taking photos, drawing the schematic and arranging the pattern layout. I often reserve my time for submission to magazine and yarn companies. However, since it was Linda who asked and knowing her yarn, I jumped at the opportunity.
Image of Penger Pullover.
Image of Penger Pullover.
Image of Penger Pullover.
So here it is! Let me introduce you to the latest collaboration between Kettle Yarn Co. and I. Years ago, while living in London, I got to know Linda and her work, often seeing her at yarn festivals around the UK. I’ve used a handful of different blends by Kettle Yarn Co. but this was my first time knitting with both Northiam DK, a British Bluefaced Leicester wool and Hythe, a mohair and silk lace. It was a pleasure to work with these two yarns together.
Image of Kettle Yarn co.’s Northiam DK and Hythe yarn.
Image of original swatch for Penger Pullover.
You may notice in the picture above that I only chose one colour of mohair lace and not a second one to match with the two colours of Northiam DK. Blackthorn, the dark navy, is only used a little in the top of the sweater and it naturally sits behind the main colour during the colour-work section. I decided not to pair it with a matching mohair to eliminate extra bulk, plus you wouldn’t see it from the right side of the sweater. You still get a lovely halo of fluff that sits on top of the colour-work texture.
Original notes about Penger.
I began gathering ideas for Penger by starting with the shape of the sweater and from there I filled it in with textures. One of my favourite sweaters that I wear on a daily bases is my design Culm, from Brooklyn Tweed’s Wool People Vol. 13. It is slightly cropped and has lots of room in the body and arms. I thought it would be fun to try this style again in a thicker weight and with new textures.
Picking up for the neckband.
Penger in progress.
As for the construction of this sweater, both Northiam DK in Canvas and Hythe in Snow are held together throughout the entire sweater. Penger is started with the hem which is worked flat, then joined in the round to continue working to the armholes. The front and back are then worked separately to the shoulders. The shoulders are joined together by using the Three-Needle Bind Off method. Stitches are then picked up for the sleeves, which are worked in the round to the cuff. The collar is picked up and worked in the round, then folded over and sewn into place. Both sleeves and collar are working using the Magic Loop method with a long circular needle. The stitch pattern that covers the top half of the sweater is called Two-Colour Slip Stitch Ribbing. This is a texture combining twisted stitches that are slipped, elongating those stitches with columns of knits and purls in-between, all while alternating between two colours.
Image of Fiona planting in Pengerpuisto.
Image of Eero in Pengerpuisto.
Image of Pengerpuisto.
Image of a harvest from Pengerpuisto.
The name comes from one of the local Helsinki parks in my area. Pengerpuisto, translates from Finnish to Penger Park. This past summer, I spent many hours there, tending to my community garden box, picnicking with friends or having a glass of wine in the evening while enjoying Finland’s long summer days. It was my first summer with a garden box and while it was occasionally frustrating to find whole kale plants missing in action, I definitely learned a lot and had fun. Eero helped me with the final photo of Penger and we shot some of them across the street from the park.
Image of Penger Pullover.
Penger can be paired with high waisted bottoms or over top lighter dresses, helping you transition your wardrobe through the dark autumn and winter nights. It’s a perfect layering piece while you patiently wait for the ground to thaw and begin planting next year’s harvest.
Image of Penger Pullover.
It’s been fun working working with Linda and designing without restrictions. I’m really proud that I pulled this all together with the help of yarn support from Kettle Yarn Co. and my tech editor Jemima Bicknell, making sure my stitch counts all add up.
Penger is available as a PDF pattern on Ravelry, LoveCrafts and in my pattern shop, here. Make sure to visit Kettle Yarn Co.’s website to see the full range of yarn and colours! Kettle Yarn Co. is also on Instagram, @kettleyarnco. Remember to use the hashtag, #PengerPullover, when posting online so Linda and I can see your wonderful sweaters!
Penger Pullover is available on Ravelry, LoveCrafts and in my pattern shop.
Image of Penger Pullover.
Close up image of Penger Pullover.
PENGER PULLOVER DETAILS
Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9)
Finished chest circumference: 94.5 (105, 115, 125, 135.5) (145.5, 155.5, 165.5, 176) cm / 37¼ (41¼, 45¼, 49¼, 53¼) (57¼, 61¼, 65¼, 69¼)” - to be worn with approximately 25.5 - 30.5 cm / 10 - 12” positive ease
Model has 95.5cm / 38” bust, stands 162cm / 5’3” tall and is wearing a size 4.
Yarn MC: Kettle Yarn Co Northiam DK (DK weight; British Bluefaced Leicester wool; 117m / 127yds per 50g skein)
Shown in the colour Canvas; 5 (6, 6, 7, 7) (8, 9, 10, 10) skeins
Approximately 550 (600, 660, 725, 797) (876, 963, 1059, 1165)m / 601 (656, 722, 793, 872) (958, 1053, 1158, 1274)yds
Held together with,
Kettle Yarn Co Hythe (lace weight; Kid Mohair and Silk; 420m / 459yds per 50g skein)
Shown in the colour Snow; 2 (2, 2, 2, 3) (3, 3, 3, 4) skeins
Approximately 610 (672, 738, 810, 891) (980, 1078, 1185, 1303)m / 667 (735, 807, 886, 974) (1071, 1179, 1296, 1425)yds
Yarn CC: Kettle Yarn Co Northiam DK (DK weight; British Bluefaced Leicester wool; 117m / 127yds per 50g skein)
Shown in the colour Blackthorn; 1 (1, 1, 1, 2) (2, 2, 2, 2) skeins
Approximately 83 (91, 100, 110, 121) (133, 146, 160, 176)m / 91 (100, 109, 120, 132) (145, 160, 175, 192)yds
Gauge: 20 sts & 26 rows = 10 cm / 4” over Stocking Stitch worked in the round on 4.5mm needles after blocking
20 sts & 32 rows = 10 cm / 4” over Two- Colour Slip Stitch Ribbing worked flat on 4.5mm needles after blocking
Needles: 4.5mm / US 7 circular needle, 80-100cm / 32-40” length for working the body in the round and flat
4mm / US 6 circular needle, 80cm / 32” length for working the neckband and cuffs in the round
Spare 4.5mm / US 7 needle for Three Needle Bind Off
For sizes 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9, knitters may want to choose a 100cm / 40” circular needle to work the body more comfortably
Notions: 2 stitch markers, stitch holders or scrap yarn, tapestry needle
Image of Penger Pullover schematic.