An adult pullover in stranded fair isle inspired by the rings, chevrons and stars of a space-station skyline. Worked top-down in the round with a stranded yoke, plain stockinette body and set-in feel sleeves. Instructions include multi-size numbers, colourwork technique notes, and finishing. This pattern is original and inspired by the setting rather than reproducing any official artwork.
Pattern provides approx 0-4"/0-10 cm positive ease depending on preference. Sleeve length (from underarm) about 17.5" / 44.5 cm; adjust as preferred.
22 sts x 28 rounds = 4" / 10 cm in stranded stockinette using larger needles, after blocking. IMPORTANT: do a fair isle swatch in the round and block it before committing to size. Adjust needle size to match gauge.
Top-down in the round: CO to neck, work ribbing, set up raglan (4 increase points), work fair isle yoke for desired depth with raglan increases spaced in pattern, separate body and sleeves, continue body in the round to length, set sleeve stitches on holders and later pick up underarm stitches to work sleeves in the round to desired length.
Numbers given in parentheses correspond to sizes XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X). When only one number is shown it applies to all sizes. If two numbers are shown e.g. 64 (72) they map to the smallest sizes first up to largest last.
Using smaller circular (US4/3.5 mm), CO 88 (96, 104, 112, 120, 128, 136, 144) sts with MC using a stretchy cast-on. Join to work in the round, place marker for beginning of round. Work k2, p2 rib for 1.25" / 3 cm (or 1.5" / 4 cm if you want deeper neck). Switch to main needle size US6 (4.0 mm).
Set-up round (switch to MC + CC as charted):
Round 1: *k to before next marker, pm, k1 marker stitch; repeat to end* — we will treat the 4 markers as raglan markers. After placing markers: you should have the stitches arranged as neck raglan configuration.
Raglan increase rounds (every RS round): increase at each marker by M1R or M1L as appropriate to maintain stitch pattern. Typical raglan increase sequence: after marker knit into the front and back of the stitch after the marker (M1R), before marker make M1L. Maintain patterning across the yoke — when fair isle motifs cross the raglan, allow the marker increases to sit between motif repeats or slip stitch into background colour so increases are invisible. Increase rounds: increase round, then 1–3 rounds even in pattern; repeat until you reach the raglan stitch count shown below for your size.
Separate when total raglan rounds produce approximately the following total stitch counts at raglan markers: XS 160, S 184, M 208, L 232, XL 256, 2X 280, 3X 304, 4X 328 sts total around (this includes body + both sleeves). These are target totals — measure yoke depth (from back neck) rather than exact rounds: Deep yoke approx 9–11" / 23–28 cm depending on size; shorter if you prefer a higher armhole.
Work the fair isle yoke charted across the rounds as follows: incorporate a 24-st repeat band that reads as concentric rings and chevrons. The yoke is composed of stacked chart bands: Band A (narrow star field, 4 rounds), Band B (main ring motif, 16–20 rounds depending on repeat), Band C (chevrons & spires, 12 rounds). Repeat bands symmetrically if you need extra yoke depth.
Because charts are easiest visually, here is a simple textual charting method for a 24-st repeat you can tile around the yoke. Each line is one round, read right-to-left for in-the-round knitting. Use characters: "." = MC, "1" = CC1, "2" = CC2, "3" = CC3
Chart repeat (24 sts wide) example (rows shown right-to-left): Row 1: ........................................ (24 dots = all MC)
Band A - star speckle (4 rounds):
R1: ....................1111.... (16 MC, 4 CC1, etc. repeat to 24)
R2: .....................11.....
R3: ....................1111....
R4: ..............................
Band B - ring motif (16 rounds example, stylised):
R1: ..222222......111111....2222
R2: .22222222....11111111...2222
R3: ..222222......111111....2222
R4: ..3333........1111......3333
R5: ..3333........1111......3333
R6: ..222222......111111....2222
...continue 16 rows to build the ring...
Band C - chevrons (12 rounds): use alternating 1 and 2 to create V shapes over the 24-st repeat.
Important: the exact chart above is illustrative. For a precise wearable yoke, design or print a 24-st x 32-row chart on graph paper and place the 24-st repeat evenly around your stitch count no. You may need to add or remove background (all MC) stitches between repeats so the motif lines up across raglan decreases. If motif is 24 sts and your body repeat count doesn't divide evenly, adjust by altering background MC columns between repeats.
When yoke work is complete and you have reached desired depth, divide for body and sleeves:
Place stitches for sleeve 1 on holder: slip next X stitches (X is sleeve stitch count determined by chart and raglan placement) onto holder. CO a few provisional stitches or leave a small gap, then continue knitting body stitches between sleeve holders in the round. Put sleeve 2 stitches on holder when you reach them. Join body stitches and place a marker at the underarm seam.
Typical division (example for size M): remove sleeve stitches 48 sts each, leaving body about 112 sts (numbers vary by size). After dividing, body will be worked in the round on US6 (4.0 mm).
Work body in MC in stockinette until desired length to hem: 16.5" / 42 cm from underarm (or adjust). Optionally add a narrow colourwork band at hem using CC colours: 2–4 rounds of simple 24-st repeat. Finish with 2x2 rib using smaller needles (US4/3.5 mm) for 1.5" / 4 cm, then BO loosely in pattern.
Transfer sleeve stitches including picked-up underarm stitches to needles: pick up 2 sts for every 3 rows across underarm gap to close (or pick up the number suggested by your gauge and underarm stitch gap) and join in the round. Typical sleeve start will be same number of stitches as originally left on holder plus picked-up stitches (M example final sleeve count ~64 sts).
Work even in MC in the round, placing decreases for tapered sleeve every 6th–8th round until you reach a comfortable wrist circumference. Aim for wrist approx 7.5–9" / 19–23 cm depending on size. Work 2x2 rib for 1.5" / 4 cm and BO loosely. Or work cuffs longer for a slouchy look.
Start raglan increases every 2 rounds for first 6 increases, then every 4 rounds until desired raglan stitch count reached. Example increase sequence: Increase on Rounds 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 (every 2nd round x6) then every 4th round x additional increases until target stitch total is achieved.
This pattern is an original fan-inspired design for personal & small-scale sale use. Do not use imagery or exact trademarked logos from official sources; this design is an original geometric tribute.
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