Enchanted Mesa

Last night we were watching TV and a lady was wearing Stephen West’s Enchanted Mesa on an episode of Bull. Her’s was more subdued. She had stripes in the yoke and a solid body but it was definitely this sweater.

You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

This top down sweater is a canvas for playing with different yarns. Select the gauge for your size and begin knitting the short row asymmetrical yoke. There is another short row section to bring the sweater down to the waistline and simple stockinette tubes for the sleeves. The sweater construction is easy to customize so it matches your body proportions. Enchanted Mesa is for the playful and adventurous knitters out there who like to make improvisational yarn and color choices. Grab your favorite yarns and have fun!  

The English PDF instructions include an optional brioche border and notes on how to expand your project into a longer dress.

Photos © Stephen West

Sizes: One size, customizable with varying gauges. 
The pattern is written in one size with DK weight yarn (4.5 sts = 1” / 2.5cm). For varying sizes, follow the gauge chart. Swatch with different yarns and needle sizes to get gauge for your desired size. This sweater is meant to fit with a few inches or more of positive ease to accentuate the drape in the body of the sweater. 

The same sweater with 4.5 sts / 1” is modeled on a 37” / 94cm and a 41” / 104cm chest circumference for 6” / 15cm and 2” / 5cm of positive ease.

3.5 sts = 1” / 2.5cm 
Chest Circumference - 56” / 142cm 
Sleeve Circumference - 15” / 38cm
Recommended Yarn Weight - Heavy Worsted/Worsted 

4 sts = 1” / 2.5cm 
Chest Circumference - 49” / 124cm 
Sleeve Circumference - 13” / 33cm
Recommended Yarn Weight - Worsted 

4.5 sts = 1” / 2.5cm (Sample Size) 
Chest Circumference - 43” / 109cm 
Sleeve Circumference - 12” / 30cm 
Recommended Yarn Weight - DK / Worsted 

5 sts = 1” / 2.5cm 
Chest Circumference - 39” / 99cm 
Sleeve Circumference - 10.5” / 27cm 
Recommended Yarn Weight - Sport/DK 

5.5 sts = 1” / 2.5cm 
Chest Circumference - 36” / 91cm 
Sleeve Circumference - 9.5” / 24cm 
Recommended Yarn Weight - Sport/Fingering 

6 sts = 1” / 2.5cm 
Chest Circumference - 33” / 84cm 
Sleeve Circumference - 8.5” / 22cm 
Recommended Yarn Weight - Fingering/Lace 

Body and sleeve lengths are customizable. For tighter or looser sleeves, you can change the needle size to get a different gauge. 

Yarn: DK weight and thinner with 4.5 stitches = 1” / 2.5cm  

DK weight is the thickest yarn I used. Other yarns are sport, fingering and lace weight yarns with the same needle size for sections with more drape and airiness. Working with smaller yarns using the same needle size usually results in a similar gauge. The sample pictured uses a single strand of DK or fingering weight yarns as well as two strands of lace weight held together and one strand of lace weight and one strand of fingering weight held together. Be adventurous and freely mix different colors and fibers together. 

Instructions are written using colors A, B, C, etc… to mark when different colors are used, but feel free to ignore the exact color changes and throw in bits of color and texture whenever you want. If one section is striped but you feel like using one ball of yarn, make it solid. If another section is solid, but you’re feeling antsy and adventurous then throw in a dozen different colors. Have fun and make it your own!

If you are looking for DK weight yarn to add to your stash we have some on sale. Filatura di Crosa Zara is on sale for $6.50 a ball. I have more colours to add to the website - hopefully over the next few days.

I’ve been working on my Nightshift. It’s bright!

Have a great evening. A few more rows before bed.