Woolfolk Viga, knitted in Far yarn in the gorgeous Anniversary Red color, is the perfect little red sweater for fall.
The design features a tall collar with an asymmetrical front button closure and beautifully shaped sleeve cuffs. The 7×1 rib knit pattern creates a striking design, particularly at the yoke. The collar height, sleeve length, and body length are all customizable.
Woolfolk Far is a worsted weight 100% merino wool yarn with a chainette structure. It comes in a lot of lovely colors but my favorite is Anniversary Red (color 20R). The yarn has great stitch definition and knits up into a super soft and surprisingly lightweight fabric.
The Woolfolk Viga features a lot of understated details that make this an elegant knit. The edges are finished with a unique rib stitch + tubular bind off. The button placket is worked in double stockinette stitch for a substantial and clean finish. The yoke shaping + rib stitch pattern combine to create a unique look.
Customize the Woolfolk Viga
I made a size 1 for this project because I like some ease but not a huge amount. Customizing the Woolfolk Viga for my petite frame was pretty easy.
I shortened the collar height. The pattern recommends a height of 6 inches but I have a short neck and envisioned wearing this sweater with the collar buttoned up rather than folded down. I ended up making the collar 4.5 inches, which is perfect for me.
The Woolfolk Viga in progress. The aqua marker placed at the base of the neckline is helpful for taking measurements of the collar height as well as the body length. That little aqua-colored marker was invaluable for this project!
Woolfolk Viga is knitted top-down, so it is helpful to know the collar height you want from the start of the project. Measure the collar heights of sweaters you already have to determine what might be best for you.
I also shortened the sleeves, which is a standard alteration for me (short arms!). Measure the sleeves of sweaters you already have to determine if any alterations are needed. Note that the cuffs feature beautiful shaping details so make sure to double check the length before finishing the sleeves!
The finished sleeves. I placed markers to indicate the start of the cuff shaping (aqua-colored marker) and the start of the bind off (peach-colored marker).
The body length is probably on the slightly cropped side, so it was the perfect length for me! Taller folks may want to consider lengthening the body.
Some Tips
- When I knit with Woolfolk Far yarn, I find it easier to maintain an even tension when I use bamboo or wood needles.
- Think about the buttons you want to use before you start knitting so you can customize the buttonhole sizes. Lightweight buttons are best!
- For Woolfolk Viga, the combination of the yoke shaping and 7×1 rib stitch pattern creates a dramatic look. Make sure that you interpret “continue in pattern” to mean continue in the 7×1 rib stitch pattern (and not the pattern being created with the increases). I had a brain freeze and had to have this clarified.
- Wet blocking works like magic with this yarn. The resulting sweater has smooth stitches and a beautiful drape.
Resources
The Amalfi Cardigan in Far Yarn