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Māia is te reo Māori for courage. This pattern is designed by local New Zealand designer Elizabeth Nihoniho of Amikihia Knits.

Māia is a top-down seamless yoked sweater with an option of short or long sleeves. The yoke is cast on and worked down. Once the sleeves are separated, the fun does not stop with a wonderfully easy and effective colour-work pattern worked on the straight body. A simple rib finishes the look. The sleeves are placed back on the needles and a short colour-work section is worked before either a short or long sleeve is worked, then a simple rib. Finally, the neckband is picked up and completed with a simple rib and bound off in a contrast colour.

Finished Sizes
Finished garment bust circumference 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62)" / 87 {97, 107, 117, 127, 137, 148, 157} cm:

Māia has 1-4" / 2.5 - 10 cm of positive ease. Choose a size to knit that is between 1-4" / 2.5 - 10 cm larger than your actual bust size.

Needles and Notions

• Needles: 3.25mm (US3) *and* 2.75mm (US2) circular needles, 80cm (32") long (adjust needle size as needed to obtain gauge).
  
• Stitch markers, waste yarn and tapestry needle - Click here

Yarn Used in Pattern
Sample knit in Happy-Go-Knitty 'Mardi' hand-dyed (60% superwash Merino, 20% silk, 20% yak) 4-ply fingering, 100gm / 366m.

Yarn requirements for short sleeve
Colour 1 - Rosy Cheeks 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2) skeins
Colour 2 - Time to Harvest (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2) skeins
Colour 3 - Driftwood (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) skeins
Colour 4 - Endless Pine Trees (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3) skeins

For long sleeve option, you will need approximately more:
Colour 2 - 78 (83, 98, 98, 118, 118, 127, 138) yd / 72 {78, 90, 90, 108, 108, 116, 126} metres
Colour 4 - 127 (131, 133, 160, 199, 238, 264, 295) yds / 116 {120, 122, 146, 182, 218, 242, 270} metres

Handzon has a beautiful, locally hand-dyed yarn that can be used as a substitute for the yarn requirements in the pattern. Click here. The Dreamfire colours for the pattern are: Merlot (for Rosy Cheeks), Aztec Gold (for Time to Harvest), Pewter (for Endless Pine Trees) and Natural (for Driftwood).

Gauge
28 sts x 36 rows = 4" / 10 cm using US3 / 3.25mm needle, in colour-work in the round, after blocking.

Please keep in mind that yardage is an estimate! When substituting yarn, compare the tension gauge of the pattern and the yarn. Working a tension square to determine the suitability of the yarn as a substitute is recommended - to compare the tension for sizing but also to test whether it creates the fabric you are after.

To determine the quantity needed, compare the total meterage needed in the pattern to the meterage on the substitute.

Need help? We are happy to assist you! Send us a message to helpinghand@handzon.co.nz or call us at the shop on 03 595 2641 during shop hours.