Handmade Wardrobe | Ursina Sweater
The Ursina sweater is a really enjoyable knit with some lovely details that add interest to an otherwise simple v-neck sweater. I knit the full length, worsted weight version of the pattern by Jacqueline Cieslak using Knit Picks Wool of the Andes and the result is an incredibly cosy sweater I’ll be reaching for all winter.
The neckline is really well fitting and doesn’t shift around like some v-necks can which I love. I never find myself having to readjust the neckline which makes this really comfortable to wear.
The pattern suggests choosing a size with 2-6” of positive ease and I’m pleased with my decision to knit a size with 7” of positive ease. Having more ease gives my Ursina sweater a relaxed fit with lots of drape in the body.
Ursina Sweater Knitting Pattern
The pattern is detailed with easy to follow instructions. I like that Jacqueline includes a printable version without images that you can print and fill in . Just plug in the numbers for the size you’re knitting and follow the pattern as if it were written just for you.
The body has faux seams and a triangle of half brioche stitches on the front and back which keeps the knitting interesting. Once I’d got the hang of the HBS I found it intuitive to knit and could work on the body without needing to refer to the pattern all that often.
Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Yarn
Everyones tolerance to the feel of yarn against their skin is different, but I find Knit Picks Wool of the Andes to be very soft and comfortable to wear against my skin.
This was my first time knitting with Knit Picks Wool of the Andes and my first thoughts were that it seemed heavy on the needles and less airy than some other wools I’ve used for sweater knitting. I needn’t have worried though. The weight of the finished garment isn’t a problem as I initially thought.
In fact I think the fabric hangs really nicely and my Ursina sweater has a wonderfully cosy feel which I think is a positive that comes from the Peruvian highland wool being a little less airy.
Having worn the sweater for about 6 weeks at the time of writing this, I’m pleased with how the yarn is wearing. The elbows have stretched out a little and there is just a small amount of pilling. Nothing a little steam and a sweater comb can’t remedy. With some care I think this is a sweater I’ll be wearing for years.
Fit and Modifications
With 4.5mm needles I got a gauge of 18 stitches and 25 rows per 4 inches which created a really nice fabric that I knew would be perfect for my sweater. I knit the size 5 which at my gauge gave me 7” of positive ease.
The finished sweater has a 42” chest circumference and is 20” from neck to hem. To get the length I wanted I knit 27 rounds on the body before starting the triangle.
I made a couple of modification to the sleeves which were written to be 18” long. This was about 5” or 6” too long for my body so I had to make a change.
Initially when knitting the first sleeve I just stopped at my wrist and was going to bind off. Although the sleeve looked ok when I tried the sweater on, the cuff was too wide as I should have been decreasing for another 6 inches and it was generally baggier than I would like.
I decided to rip back and did the decreases more rapidly so my finished stitch count when knitting a 12” sleeve was close to what it would have been if I’d knit the longer sleeve.
I’m glad I re-knit the sleeve as I think the fit looks better as a result and that’s the beauty of knitting your own clothes. You can take the time to make them just right for your own body.
The second small modification I made was to the cuffs. I knit 3 rounds of 1x1 twisted rib which I think gives a really nice finish.
After blocking, the stitches bloomed and the fabric became a little softer and more drapey.
I was happy with the fit of the sweater before blocking so I noted the measurements so I could make sure it didn't change too much after soaking.
I soaked my Ursina sweater in wool wash for 30mins, squeezed out as much excess water using a towel as I could, and laid my sweater to dry on a set of blocking matts using pins to hold the shape where needed.
Project Notes
Pattern: Ursina by Jacqueline Cieslak (worsted, full length)
Yarn: 8 balls of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Merlot Heather
Size: 5 (46”) (knitted) 4 (42”) (finished size)
Needles: 4.5 mm (US 6) Hiya Hiya Interchangeables
Started: 10th April 2021
Finished: 10th October 2021
You Might Like…
Medium Project Bag
Each fully lined organic cotton project bag is screen printed by hand and sewn by Alex.
Surprisingly roomy, each bag can hold approximately 9 skeins (900g) of fingering weight yarn so it's a wonderful choice for large shawls, summer tops and tees, sweaters and cardigans.
100% GOTs Certified Organic Cotton
Screen printed from my original drawing
Approx: 15"(38cm) x 15" (38cm)
They are lovingly made in the UK and shipped worldwide.
Where do you want to go next?
