Big comfy-cozy sweater

It's been a while since I posted because I kept intending that the next post would be the pattern for this new sweater... and things got in the way.  I designed it on the needles, as I often seem to do, and just haven't sat down and reverse-engineered it.  It's a super big and floppy neckline, which is just oh-so-cozy. It's a bit theatrical, and perhaps not for the faint of heart.



Here goes!

The yarn suggestion is a  little tricky.  I rescued some super scrumptious tan lambswool from a Gap sweater that I found at a rummage sale that was just an atrocious pattern (turtle neck sweater with ribbing from the neck to the shoulders, then stockinette, also known as turns fashion model figures into potatoes). It's a chunky yarn - thicker than worsted weight, but probably not a full "bulky" weight.

Needle suggestions - I did this all on a pair of straight 10.5s, though, if you have a circular of the same gauge, I would suggest that for the neck. Unless you're a glutton for punishment like myself. Seriously.

It's pieced together, then the collar is knitted, but since it's bulky yarn, it was a fairly quick knit.

Glossary:
BO: Bind off
CO: Cast on
k: knit
K2: knit 2 stitches
k2p2: knit 2 stitches, knit 2 purl stitches (basic rib pattern)
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together
ssk: slip stitch knit


Back:

  • CO 84 stitches
  • Rows 1-4: [k2p2] Rep until end
  • Work in stockinette until approx 18" long (or desired length to go from hips to underarm)
  • On the next purl row, BO 6 stitches, p rest
  • Next row: BO 6 stitches, K2, ssk, k to last 4 stitches, then k2tog, K2
  • Row A: Purl full row
  • Row B: K2, ssk, k to last 4, k2tog, K2
  • Repeat Rows A & B until only 30 remain, then place on stitch holders
Front: 
  • CO 84 stitches
  • Rows 1-4: [k2p2] Rep until end
  • Work in stockinette until approx 18" long (or desired length to go from hips to underarm)
  • On the next purl row, BO 6 stitches, p rest
  • Next row: BO 6 stitches, K2, ssk, K23, k2tog, K2 and leave out yarn and bring in a new yarn to BO 12 stitches (you will now be working with 2 balls of yarn for 2 separate sections), K2, ssk, K to last 4, k2tog, K2
  • Row C: Purl full row on both sections
  • Row D: K2, ssk, k to last 4 in section, k2tog, K2, second section, repeat 1st section
  • Repeat rows C & D until only 3 stitches remain, set on stitch holders
Arms:
  • CO 40 stitches
  • Rows 1-4: [k2p2] Rep until end
  • 8 rows of stockinette
  • Row E: K2, M1left, k until 2 left, M1right, K2
  • Rows F: 7 rows of stockinette
  • Repeat rows E & F until sleeve is about 17 inches (or desired length between wrists and underarm)
  • BO 6 stitches on next purl row, purl to end
  • BO 6 stitches, K2, ssk, k to last 4, k2tog, K2
  • Row G: Purl whole row 
  • Row H: K2, ssk, k to last 4, k2tog, K2
  • Repeat rows G & H until 6 remain, set on stitch holders.
What next? Time to sew up the side seams, the arm seams, and the shoulders.  I used a mattress stitch for all the vertical seams, and simple horizontal stitch under the arms.  Once everything is sewed up, arrange those remaining stitches on (hopefully your circular) needles. 



Neck:
  • Row I: [k2p2]*Rep until end of stitches, pick up 2 stitches and work in pattern
  • Repeat row I 9 more times
  • Row J: [k2p2]*REP until end of stitches, pick up 4 stitches and work in pattern
  • Repeat row J until collar reaches to bottom of neck.
  • Match ribbing pattern and work until collar is about 3 and 1/2 inches (matching the width of the 12 stitches bound off at the bottom of the neck.
  • Bind off neck (loosely!)
  • Sew in sides of newly knitted neck overlapping at bottom of neck line.

Now, sew in all ends and block!


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