I am delighted to share photos of Iku test knitted by my patron Birgit Blumrich, aka Alpaka-Birgit on Ravelry. Birgit is a very skilled test knitter, see her Yaelle here, where she spun the fleece from her own alpaca boys. You can see more photos on her website: Alpakawiese Blumrich. However, this jacket is knitted in the English yarn by Laxtons Sheepsoft 4 ply in size 3, using a 3.25 mm/US 3 needle and a 21 stitches and 34 rows gauge in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4 inches after blocking. I love how stylish it looks on her and the fact that she has made a second one! Thank you so much, Birgit!

I have graded the jacket in sizes 1 to 9 with a bust circumference of 89 to 169 cm/35 to 66.5 inches. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A seamless jacket adorned with a lace pattern at the center of the body, named Iku, Japanese for nourishing. The body is shaped for the bust and worked in one piece from the bottom to the armholes, while the sleeves are worked top down in stockinette stitch to make the lace pattern stand out. The jacket ends in a crew neck that is crowned with an I-cord and a button band. Iku is knitted in the soft Norwegian lambswool yarn Sol from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Yarn kits with the original yarn are available directly from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. You will find the Iku pattern for sale on Ravelry in English and Norwegian.