Abraxas

Abraxas is a swingy, open-fronted cardigan, beautifully enhanced by Balayage, a soft yarn that magically creates both drape and stitch definition.

Abraxas premiers at Vogue Knitting Live NYC 2020 – as does the yarn, Balayage. Come see the sample and the new yarn at the Yarn Culture stall!

This pattern is a PREVIEW pattern from Ziggurat Book the Next (publication date to be determined – not imminent).

Please note: the purchase of Abraxas as a digital pattern cannot be counted toward a later purchase of the book – it’s up to you if you prefer to wait for the book.

JOIN our friendly and fun perpetual KAL on Ravelry!
cast on anytime!

Abraxas has inviting texture, overlapping fronts, no buttons, and a slightly swingy shape that is easy to wear.

The shape and drape work equally well with the cardigan worn casually open or elegantly overlapping, perhaps fastened with a clasp or brooch.

The unusual collar is knitted along the back neck, then folded and fused into a broad buttonband that is worked along with the fronts and the rest of the body. Everything at once as usual!

Fun fact: I designed Abraxas after being introduced to Balayage, a collaboration between Melanie Berg and Pascuali. I actually got to know Paul Pascuali, his lovely family, and the yarn at Melanie’s fabulous wedding party. Good memories and an auspicious beginning for the design! Balayage is a lovely yarn that somehow creates both drape and stitch definition.

Like all Ziggurats, Abraxas is knitted top down with contiguous sleeve caps, built-in buttonbands, and no seaming or finishing apart from weaving in a few ends.

OPEN FRONT
V-neck with wide frontbands

FIT
Tailored shoulders & faint waist shaping :: 4–7 cm (2–3″) ease

SIZES
81 (86, 91, 97, 102) [107, 112, 117, 122, 127] cm
32 (34, 36, 38, 40) [42, 44, 46, 48, 50] inches

Garment Bust Measurement
84 (89, 95  102.5  107.5)  [112.5, 117.5, 122.5, 129, 134] cm

33 (35, 37.5, 40.25, 42.25) [44.25, 46.25, 48.25, 50.75, 52.75]

YARN
Pascuali Balayage (80 Alpaca, 20% Organic Merino, 175 m / 190 yds per 50 g)
colour: Nazca (616) x 9 (9, 10, 10, 11) [11, 12, 12, 13, 14] balls

approx YARDAGE
1400 (1550, 1650, 1750, 1900) [1950, 2050, 2150, 2300, 2400] m
1500 (1650, 1750, 1900, 2050) [2100, 2200, 2350, 2450, 2600] yds

alternative yarn suggestions
Crave Yarn Caravan

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
3.25 mm (US 3) circular needle, 80–100 cm (32–40”)
3.25 mm (US 3) circular needle, 60–80 cm (24–32”)
or size to obtain gauge 

3 x 3.25 mm (US 3) double pointed needles
2 cable needle (or use double pointed needles)
Stitch holders; stitch markers

BLOCKED GAUGE
32 sts x 36 rows on 3.25 mm (US 3) needle over hourglass pattern = 10 cm / 4”

SAMPLE SIZE
Size 40 weighs 465 g / 16.5 oz

TECHNIQUES linked to and used in the pattern

Want to know what else is up my knitted sleeve? Sign up for the occasional Åsa Tricosa Newsletter.