The test knit of Kaibara has just come to an end with 20 knitters taking part in my Ravelry group. Not only did they correct and improve my pattern but they also made stunning versions of Kaibara! Thank you so much! The Kaibara pattern, in both English and Norwegian, is available on Ravelry and soon on LoveCrafts too. Above you see it worn by the gorgeous Olivia Lindtein, with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, captured by Eivind Røhne at Mortensrud Church last November.
Named after Kaibara Ekken the father of botany in Japan is this flowery lace adorned A-line pullover with short sleeves. To allow the lace pattern to shine, the remaining pullover is worked in stockinette stitch. The pullover is knitted in pieces then seamed, for the ultimate fit, in the drapey and lustrous Como Silk from Handweavers Studio. Kaibara is made to be worn on a perfect summer’s day or at a party.
Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
Shown in size XS
Skill level: Experienced.
Finished measurements:
Bust: 82 (92, 100, 110, 124, 134, 146, 156, 166) cm/32.25 (36.25, 39.25, 43.25, 48.75, 52.75, 57.5, 61.5, 65.25)“
Hip: 94 (102, 112, 120, 138, 148, 166, 174, 184) cm/37 (40.25, 44, 47.25, 54.25, 58.25, 65.25, 68.5, 72.5)”
Length: 60 (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68) cm/23.5 (24, 24.5, 24.75, 25.25, 25.5, 26, 26.5, 26.75)“
Sleeve length: 24 (24, 24, 25, 25, 26, 26, 26, 26) cm/9.5 (9.5, 9.5, 9.75, 9.75, 10.25, 10.25, 10.25, 10.25)”
Intended ease: + 5-10 cm/2-4”. Sample shown is 82 cm/32.25” and worn with + 1 cm/0.5” ease on model.
Yarn: The Handweavers Studio, Como Silk 4.5nm (100% Silk, 100 g, 350 m/382 yds).
Sample is knitted in Poppy Red: 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7) spools; 1278 (1404, 1530, 1656, 1831, 1957, 2083, 2209, 2335) m/1398 (1535, 1673, 1811, 2002, 2140, 2278, 2416, 2554) yds.
https://www.handweavers.co.uk/como-silk-45nm.ir
Yarn alternatives: Lang Yarns, Mulberry Silk (100% Mulberry Silk, 50 g, 145 m/159 yds).
https://www.langyarns.com/index.cfm?a=spn&PageNum=2
Malabrigo Yarn, Silky Merino (51% Silk, 49% Merino Wool, 50 g, 137 m/150 yds).
https://malabrigoyarn.com/yarns/silky-merino
BC Garn, Jaipur Silk Fino (100% Silk, 50 g, 300 m/328 yds)
https://www.bcgarn.dk/article.php?id=jaipur-silk-fino
Or another Sportweight or Light DK yarn.
Needles: 3.25 mm/US 3 straight needle.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.
Notions: Stitch markers (removable), stitch holders and yarn needle.
Gauge: 17-st Lace repeat measures 8 cm/3.25” across after blocking.
23 sts and 34 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4” square after blocking.
Notes: The pullover is worked back and forth in pieces from bottom up and seamed. The lace repeat is the same for all sizes but not the number of reverse stocking stitch in between the lace panels; 2 for some sizes and 4 for other sizes.