I knitted the original in King Cole Merino Blend Aran, which I'm pretty sure is available only in the UK. I admit that I didn't like the yarn much. My skin is super sensitive (I'm allergic to soap. I break out in hives if I touch grass. Jewelry gives me a rash. This is annoying.), and this wool is not very soft. My hands did not like. So, I made myself another sample, in a size bigger, just for me.
This one is knitted in Cascade 220 Superwash Aran. LOVE this yarn. This is the only sweater I own that I can actually wear all day with no wool-related discomfort. The yarn was really great to knit with, too. I want to knit everything with this yarn. And, it's a true aran weight, so this sweater was fast.
Bakdash is worked from the top down with raglan shaping. There is no waist shaping, but if you wanted to add some it would be easy to do. The cable panel flows into the ribbing at the bottom hem AND the neckband, a feat that required lots of the maths.
I've updated the original pattern to include both imperial and metric measurements. The cable pattern is charted and written out so you can pick what's easiest for you.
If you want to make a Bakdash for yourself, get the pattern on Ravelry for $6. From now until Sunday, February 7th, use coupon code Bakdash (note that there is no "c" in Bakdash) on Ravelry and get 30% off. Yay!
