The test knit of Balika has come to an end and I have just released the English pattern in my Ravelry Store. The Norwegian pattern will be added shortly. The oversized vest was made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in their lovely Ask yarn using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle and a 22 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch gauge measuring 10 cm/4″ square. Yarn kits are available directly online from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Balika was photographed by Wenche Hoel-Knai, worn by the gorgeous Emmalin Williams with make-up & hair by Janne Skarpeid Hermansen and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design.
Named Balika, of Greenlandic origin, is this straight oversized vest with a deep armhole bind off replaced by a wide armholeband. Balika is adorned with an allover check pattern, except for the sides which have a line of stocking stitch. The neckband is worked in the round with shaping, the armhole bands are worked flat and seamed in, and the body is worked back and forth in two pieces with side seams for a better fit. Balika is knitted in the airy Ask by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.
Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
Shown in size S.
Finished measurements:
Bust: 102 (107.5, 112.5, 118, 123.5) (134.5, 145.5, 156.5, 167.5) cm/40.25 (42.25, 44.25, 46.5, 48.5) (53, 57.25, 61.5, 66)“
Length: 62 (62, 62, 64, 64) (66, 66, 68, 68) cm/24.5 (24.5, 24.5, 25.25, 25.25) (26, 26, 26.75, 26.75)”
Intended ease: 12-26 cm/4.75-10.25” positive ease. Sample shown is 107.5 cm/42.25” and worn with 24.5 cm/9.75” positive ease on model.
Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Ask (100% wool, 315 m/344 yds, 100 g).
The sample is knitted in Melert lys brun 6058: 3 (3, 4, 4, 4) (5, 5, 6, 6) skeins; 836 (914, 992, 1070, 1148) (1304, 1460, 1616, 1772) m/914 (1000, 1085, 1170, 1255) (1426, 1597, 1767, 1938) yds.
https://ull.no/produktkategori/garn/ask-ullgarn/
Yarn alternatives: Cascade 220 Sport (100% wool, 150 m/164 yds, 50 g).
http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-Cascade220Sport.htm
Tosh Euro Sock (100% wool, 397 m/435 yds, 100 g).
https://madelinetosh.com/collections/euro-sock
Juniper Moon Farm, Patagonia (100% merino wool, 350 m/383 yds, 100 g)
https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-us/p/juniper-moon-farm-pata…
Or another Sport/5 ply or lightweight DK yarn.
Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (80 cm/32”).
3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (40 cm/16”)
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.
Notions: Stitch markers (removable) and yarn needle.
Gauge: 22 sts and 30 rows in st st using 3.5 mm/US 4 needle measures 10 cm/4” square after blocking.
Notes: The body is worked back and forth in two pieces from the bottom and up. Both the neckband and the armholebands are worked with interfacing, the neckband in the round and the armholeband back and forth. A circular needle is used due to the large stitch number.
