lea

Romanticism and femininity meet finesse and minimalism. The design owes its
charm to the botanical lace yoke in a deliberately chosen spot to attract the
attention, but not to reveal too much at the same time. Waist shaping and perfect
length goes well with a dress or skirt and highlights your shapes.
 sizes
XS (S, M, L) [XL, XXL, XXXL]
Sweater circumference in chest: 82 (87, 94, 103) [110, 120, 130] cm
32.25 (34.25, 37, 40.5) [43.25, 47.25, 51.25]”
The pictures show size S
If you hesitate between two sizes and are going for the look
from my pictures, pick the smaller one.

yarn
Fingering weight yarn, about:
680 (720, 840, 940) [1100, 1200, 1300] meters
743 (787, 918, 1028) [1203, 1312, 1421] yards

needles
3 mm and 3.5 mm US 2.5 and US 4 circular needles

gauge
22 sts x 34 rows – 10 cm x 10 cm 4” x 4” on 3.5 mm US 4 needles
in Stockinette st, after blocking

others
1 stitch marker
Scrap yarn or stitch holder
Tapestry needle

2
 measurements
A: 82 (87, 94, 103) [110, 120, 130] cm
32.25 (34.25, 37, 40.5) [43.25, 47.25, 51.25]”

B: 28 (29, 31, 33) [35, 38, 41] cm

11 (11.5, 12.25, 13) [13.75, 15, 16.25]”

C: 33 (34, 34, 34) [35, 35, 35] cm

13 (13.5, 13.5, 13.5) [13.75, 13.75, 13.75]”

D: 32 cm
12.5”

3
 about the pattern and construction
Please read the following instructions before knitting – a few details about the pattern’s and sweater’s
construction are explained here. They will help you avoid troubles and easily work through the pattern! The
information below does not constitute instructions for making the sweater, but gives a high level overview of the
knitting process and clarifies few things – all the details for making this project will be introduced step by step on
the following pages.

Lea is a sweater with circular yoke, made top-down, in the rounds. The neckline is shaped by short rows – the
pattern describes the "wrap & turn" method but you can use any other if you like. The lace panel is represented
by a chart. You should work through it bottom up, from right to left. The sweater is made almost seamlessly with
one exception – to get the best result and very stretch-resistant joint of the body and the sleeves, the armpit
openings are closed by a seam.

Lea, like its warmer version Lea Chunky, is an extremely simple and quick project, suitable for beginners. You can
easily modify the length of the body and sleeves to adjust the design to your needs.

Remember to make a swatch. If you are unable to achieve the correct dimensions using the recommended
needles, please try again with a different needle size. Correct gauge will save you from disappointment!

I can't wait for your version! Use #leasweater when you show your project on Instagram.
Happy knitting!

4
 abbreviation
st(s) stitch(es) k knit p purl
m marker pm place marker
sm slip marker rm remove marker
tog together ssk slip slip knit sl slip
yo yarn over psso pass slip stitch over
kfb knit in the front and back of st
w&t wrap and turn
PUP (PUK) pick up wrap and purl (knit) it
together with wrapped st
m1r lift bar between sts from back to front
with left needle and then knit through
the front of it with right needle
m1l lift bar between sts from front to back
with left needle and then knit through
the back of it with right needle
Stockinette st in rounds
Knit all sts
Garter st in rounds:
1st round: p all sts
2nd round: k all sts
techniques
Short rows (w&t method), see the tutorial:
youtube.com/watch?v=3U5fgyBcPPM
Sewing of armpit holes, see the tutorials:
marzenakolaczek.com/no-more-holes
yoke
Using 3 mm US 2.5 circular needles cast on 89 (95,
101, 111) [121, 131, 139] sts. Place marker and join
your work. (All yoke is worked using smaller needles)
1st garter round: p to end.
2nd garter round: k to end.
Repeat the last 2 rounds until you have about 1 cm
0.5”. Repeat 1st garter round one more time.
1st inc round: [k1, kfb] to 1 st before end, k1. You
now have 133 (142, 151, 166) [181, 196, 208] sts.
Next round: p to end.
1st short row (RS): k28 (30, 32, 36) [38, 42, 44], w&t.
2nd short row (WS): k to m, sm, p 28 (30, 32, 36)
[38, 42, 44], w&t.
5
3rd short row (RS): p to m, sm, k to last wrap, PUK,
k 3 (3, 3, 4), [4, 4, 5], w&t.
4th short row (WS): k to m, sm, p to last wrap, PUP,
p 3 (3, 3, 4), [4, 4, 5], w&t.
Repeat the last two short rows 4 times more.
Pick up round: p to m, sm, [k to wrap, PUK] twice, k
to end.
1st garter round: p to end.
2nd garter round: k to end.
Repeat the last two rounds until you have about
5.5 cm 2.25” measuring from the beginning of front
neckline. Repeat 1st garter round one more time.
Only size XS:
2nd inc round: k1, kfb, k1, kfb, k2, kfb, *[k1, kfb]
3 times, then k2, kfb]* repeat ** to end. You now
have 192 sts.
Only size S:
2nd inc round: k2, kfb, *[k2, kfb] 5 times, then k1,
kfb]* repeat ** 8 times in total, k2, kfb. You now
have 192 sts.
Only size M:
2nd inc round: [k2, kfb] 7 times, *[k2, kfb] 3 times,
then [k1, kfb] 2 times* repeat ** 10 times in total.
You now have 208 sts.
Only size L:
2nd inc round: k2, kfb, *[k2, kfb] 6 times, then k1,
kfb* repeat ** 8 times in total, k2, kfb. You now have
224 sts.
Only size XL:
2nd inc round: k2, [k2, kfb] repeat to 2 st before end,
k2. You now have 240 sts.
Only size XXL:
2nd inc round: k2, kfb, k2, kfb, *k3, kfb, k3, kfb, then
[k2, kfb] 5 times* repeat ** 8 times in total, k2, kfb,
k2, kfb. You now have 256 sts.
Only size XXXL:
2nd inc round: *[k2, kfb] 3 times, then k3, kfb*
repeat ** to end. You now have 272 sts.
lace
All sizes:
Next round: p to end.
You will be making lace pattern now (chart on page
6). You will repeat the chart 12 (12, 13, 14) [15, 16,
17] times in every round. Work all 22 rows of the
chart.
 key
knit

purl

yo

ssk

k2tog

s1, k2tog, psso

6
Next round: p to end.
Only size XS:
3rd inc round: [k3, kfb] 4 times, *[k2, kfb] 3 times,
then [k3, kfb] 2 times* repeat ** 10 times in total,
then k2, kfb, k2, kfb. You now have 248 sts.
Only size S:
3rd inc round: [k2, kfb] to end. You now have 256 sts.
Only size M:
3rd inc round: *[k2, kfb] 16 times, then k3, kfb*
repeat ** 4 times in total. You now have 276 sts.
Only size L:
3rd inc round: *[k2, kfb] 18 times, then k1, kfb*
repeat ** 4 times in total. You now have 300 sts.
Only size XL:
3rd inc round: [k2, kfb] to end. You now have 320 sts.
Only size XXL:
3rd inc round: *[k2, kfb] 10 times, then k1, kfb*
repeat ** 8 times in total. You now have 344 sts.
Only size XXXL:
3rd inc round: k3, kfb, k3, kfb, [k2, kfb] to end. You
now have 362 sts.
All sizes:
1st garter round: p to end.
2nd garter round: k to end.
Repeat the last two rounds until you have about 4.5
cm 1.75” measuring from the lace panel. Repeat 1st
garter round one more time.
Only size XS:
4th inc round: k9, kfb, k9, kfb, [k8, kfb, k9, kfb] to
end. You now have 274 sts.
Only size S:
4th inc round: [k7, kfb] to end. You now have 288 sts.
Only size M:
4th inc round: k6, kfb, k7, kfb, *[k6, kfb] 3 times,
then k7, kfb* repeat ** to end. You now have
314 sts.
Only size L:
4th inc round: *[k6, kfb] 6 times, then k7, kfb*
repeat ** to end. You now have 342 sts.
Only size XL:
4th inc round: *[k6, kfb] 2 times, then k5, kfb*
repeat ** to end. You now have 368 sts.
7
Only size XXL:
4th inc round: [k5, kfb, k4, kfb] 2 times, *[k5, kfb]
3 times, then k4, kfb* repeat ** to end. You now
have 404 sts.
Only size XXXL:
4th inc round: k4, kfb, k4, kfb, [k4, kfb, k5, kfb] to
end. You now have 428 sts.
All sizes:
1st garter round: p to end.
2nd garter round: k to end.
Repeat 1st and 2nd garter rounds until you have
about 6 cm 2.5” measuring from the lace panel, then
repeat 1st garter round one more time. (the second
garter section should have the same length/number
of rows as the first one).
Separating body and sleeves:
Next round: k 41 (44, 48, 53) [57, 62, 66], place next
54 (56, 61, 65) [70, 77, 81] sts on stitch holder, cast
on 4 (4, 4, 4) [4, 4, 5] sts, place new starting marker,
cast on 4 (4, 4, 4) [4, 4, 5] sts, k 83 (88, 96, 106) [114,
125, 133], place next 54 (56, 61, 65) [70, 77, 81] sts
on stitch holder, cast on 4 (4, 4, 4) [4, 4, 5] sts, pm,
cast on 4 (4, 4, 4) [4, 4, 5] sts, k to m, rm, k to new
beginning of round. You now have 182 (192, 208,
228) [244, 266, 286] sts.
Switch to 3.5 mm US 4 circular needles and work in
Stockinette st until you have about 6 (7, 7, 7) [8, 8, 9]
cm 2.5 (2.75, 2.75, 2.75) [3.25, 3.25, 3.5]” from the
armpit.
Dec round: k1, k2tog, k to 3 sts before m, ssk, k1, sm,
k1, k2tog, k to 3 sts before m, ssk, k1.
Knit 12 rounds.
Repeat the last 13 rounds.
Dec round: k1, k2tog, k to 3 sts before m, ssk, k1, sm,
k1, k2tog, k to 3 sts before m, ssk, k1. You now have
170 (180, 196, 216) [232, 254, 274] sts.
Knit 14 rounds.
Inc round: k1, m1l, k to 1 st before m, m1r, k1, sm,
k1, m1l, k to 1 st before m, m1r, k1.
Knit 12 rounds.
Repeat the last 13 rounds.
Inc round: k1, m1l, k to 1 st before m, m1r, k1, sm,
k1, m1l, k to 1 st before m, m1r, k1. You now have
182 (192, 208, 228) [244, 266, 286] sts.
Knit 1 round.
You should have about 28 (29, 29, 29) [30, 30, 30] All sizes:
cm 11 (11.5, 11.5, 11.5) [11.75, 11.75, 11.75]” from Next round: [k2, p2] to end.
armpit. If you have not reached required length,
work further until you do. Note: You will be working Repeat the last round until you have 5 cm 2” of rib.
rib now. If you want to change the body length, add Bind off loosely all sts.
extra centimetres/inches, remembering that the rib

finishing
is 5 cm 2” long.

Switch to 3 mm US 2.5 circular needles.

Only size XS, XXL, XXXL: Weave in all loose ends and close the holes under
Next round: k2tog, k1, p2, [k2, p2] to 5 sts before the armpit as described in the tutorial provided in
end of round, k2, p1, p2tog. the "techniques" section. Block your sweater neatly
Next round: [k2, p2] to end. to highlight the lace patterns. Now your Lea is done!
Repeat the last round until you have 5 cm 2” of rib. I hope you will like it as much as I do.
Bind off loosely all sts.
If you are looking for more inspiration, check my
Only sizes S, M, L, XL: website marzenakolaczek.com. You will find all my
Next round: [k2, p2] to end. patterns and helpful tutorials for your future projects
Repeat the last round until you have 5 cm 2” of rib. there. Have fun!
Bind off loosely all sts.

sleeves
Place all sts from sleeve on 3.5 mm US 4 circular
needles. Knit all sts, then cast on 4 (4, 4, 4) [4, 4, 5]
sts, place starting marker and cast on 4 (4, 4, 4) [4, 4,
5] sts. Join your work. You now have 62 (64, 69, 73)
[78, 85, 91] sts.

Knit 11 rounds.

Dec round: k1, k2tog, k to 3 sts before end, ssk, k1.

Knit 12 rounds.

Repeat the last 13 rounds 5 times more.

Only size XXXL:

Dec round: k1, k2tog, k to 3 sts before end, ssk, k1.

All sizes:
You now have 50 (52, 57, 61) [66, 73, 77] sts.
Switch to 3 mm US 2.5 circular needles.

Only sizes XS, XL:

Next round: k2tog, k1, p2, [k2, p2] to 5 sts before
end, k2, p1, p2tog. You now have 48 (-, -, -) [64, -, -]
sts.

Only sizes M, L, XXL, XXXL:

Next round: k2tog, k1, p2, [k2, p2] to end. You now
have - (-, 56, 60) [-, 72, 76] sts.

8
 thanks
The pattern wouldn't come to life without the
work of many wonderful and gifted testers.
Thank you for engagement, professionalism,
support and advice!

Thanks to my husband too, who helps me take

pictures of my works with great patience, and
advises and helps with everything!

about
My name is Marzena and I am a knitwear
designer, tea lover, pink fanatic and just a very
happy and romantic girl, who admires
everything connected in any way with nature.
I mix oddly disconnected passions and hobbies
every day!