Sweaters of the Season: Penguono

What is the Penguono?:  A pattern by the fantastically colourful and innovative designer Stephen West, the Penguono is a kimono style, short sleeved jacket that you can also flip upside down and wear as a long coat.

Why is it a sweater of the season? Penguono was published by westknits in 2014 but embodies many of the trends in knitwear this autumn/winter 2017, particularly echoing the shapes and use of colour and texture at Chloe and Missoni.

Missoni Cardigan

Chloe Fil Coupe Sweater

Chloe Loose Graphic Sweater

Chloe Colour Block Tweed Poncho

Missoni Pullover

Missoni Striped Wool Long Cardigan

Clockwise from top left:  Missoni Cardigan (here), Chloe Loose mohair sweater with colour blocking (here), Missoni Pullover (here), Missoni Striped Wool Long Cardigan (here), Chloe Colour block tweed poncho (here), Chloe Fil Coupe Sweater (here).

• • Oversized
  • Striped
  • Patchwork effect
  • Unconventional construction
  • Embellished/multi textured
  • Optional Dangly Bits
  • Marled effect

See Related articles below for more on these trends.

Pattern Particulars:

– Yarn: this is a perfect project to use up leftover yarn of all weights- simply hold them together to get your desired gauge. Depending on your choice of gauge, you can make a sleek, soft sock-weight cardigan or a more robust, cuddly chunky-weight jacket.

– Construction: unusual and rather ingenious, this cardigan starts with a rectangle for the back, before you work the sides and fronts sideways, incorporating simple v-neck shaping. Then you make two more rectangles for the shoulders and sleeves before finishing with the collar and bottom band, all outlined in an i-cord.

Stitches: The design includes garter, seed stitch and an i-cord edging.

Personalisation: this cardigan gives lots of opportunity to play with textures by mixing yarns of different weights and fibre content. This can produce a subtle depth to the fabric, such as the addition of mohair to a merino wool. Alternatively, the knitter can create a more dramatic effect by adding sections of greatly contrasting weights of yarn or using novelty yarns such as faux fur or yarn with attached sequins, or multiple colous, such as variegated, speckled, barber poled or self-striping yarns.

There are also further opportunities within the design for customisation: you decide the width and frequency of stripes, and the balance between stripes and blocks of colour. Leave the hemline as a sleek icord edge, or add single/multi-coloured fringe or pompoms.

Penguono by Stephen West. Photo copyright westknits.

Penguono by Stephen West. Photo copyright westknits.

Penguono by Stephen West. Photo copyright westknits.

To see more about the pattern or to buy, see Ravelry page here. Or see Westknits website, here.

Over to you: have you made the Penguono? What are you planning to make this autumn/winter? Which knitwear pieces from the catwalks stood out for you this season?