THE JOURNEY OF THE CROSSBACK SWEATER

You know when you see a sweater or knit at the mall or in person and you’re like “Hot damn, I could make that!”. Well for me, that was the Crossback Sweater.

Here I was, walking in the streets of London on our Europe trip this past summer and there she was. Walking ahead; The prettiest voluptuous blonde with the most striking sweater that draped and intertwined in the back. So like a regular human, I stalker snapped a photo while she wasn’t looking and used it as inspiration. Hides face in embarrassment.

Sadly this design was not a one and done though. Nor was it a twice and done… or a third time and done… Really it was the fourth time that was the charm, and when I say 4th time, I really mean four times. I have knit this sweater in full completion 4 times. All panels. All arms. All to only frog once again.

Backstory: This design was originally to be knit with Lion Brand Yarn’s Color Made Easy in the most gorgeous pomegranate, but that yarn obviously had its own plans for itself (The Big Catch Fishermans rib sweater to be exact!), so when I heard about the new lighter weight alpaca and wool blend Chainette yarn coming out for Lion Brand in January, I knew it was kismet.

Check out that yarn here!

So here you are: The final version of the Crossback sweater. I love this design not only for it’s simplicity, but for the fact that it’s REVERSIBLE! Meaning two sweaters out of one. Wear the crossing panels in the front for a gorgeous Vneck, or adjust and place them in the back for a more sultry open back. I personally am a total fan of the party in the back! It’s designed in sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL (32’-50” busts).

SHOWN WITH THE CROSS IN THE BACK

AND HERE IT IS WITH THE CROSS IN THE FRONT!

I really am in love with how this design turned out. What once was more of a bulky heavy piece, is now this airy, lightwear cozy sweater that has been one of my number one go to’s in my closet latley.

Want to make this sweater yourself? You’ll need 7 (S/M), 8 (L), 9 (XL), 10 (2XL) balls of Lionbrand’s Chainette (a gorgeous alpaca and wool blend that is super soft and airy to the touch and on the skin), and 6.5 & 6mm needles. Note: Since it’s part of the Lion Brand collection, you sadly cannot purchase in stores, only online!