Stitch 'n Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook (49 page)

FINISHING

Using a 3" pom-pom template, make 2 pom-poms with A. Set them aside. With the same yarn, crochet a chain about 40"–45" long, or whatever length is preferable. Thread this chain through the eyelet rnd at the base of the turtleneck. Attach a pom-pom to each end of the chain.

ABOUT MELISSA

I live in Portland, Oregon, where it doesn’t rain nearly as much as people think. My mom taught me to knit when I was a girl, and I started knitting seriously again about five years ago. I began experimenting with knit design and loved how it unleashed my creativity. I document my crafty endeavors on my knitting blog, Action Hero (
http://www.action-hero.net/blog/knitblog.html
), and I work as an instructional technology teacher. My recent obsessions include NBA basketball, Seattle radio station KEXP, and bulky wool in bright colors.

JENNA WILSON

Here’s an oversized sweater that’s just the thing for cozying up and sacking out. It’s generously sized for layering over turtlenecks and hangs straight with an easy rolled hem. The extra-long sleeves roll down to keep your hands warm (just in case you lacked the foresight to bring along your mitts), and a collar rolls up as high as you wish—you could end the collar early and have a simple, loose rolled neck, or keep on knitting for a turtleneck. And, to top it off, a great big bulky cable runs right up the center front.

S
IZES

Small (Medium, Large, Extra-Large)

Finished chest measurement: 42 (45½, 49, 52½)"

Finished length: 20½ (22, 22, 23)"

M
ATERIALS

Rowan
Rowanspun Chunky
(100% wool; 100g/141 yds), 7 (7, 8, 9) skeins #982 Green Waters

US 8 (5mm) knitting needles

US 10 (6mm) knitting needles, or size needed to obtain gauge

G
AUGE

14 sts and 20 rows = 4" in St st larger needles

S
TITCH
P
ATTERN

CABLE PANEL (20 STS AND 10 ROWS)

Row 1 (RS): P2, k2, p2. Make cable: Sl next 4 sts to cn, hold at back of work; k next 4 sts; k 4 sts from cn. P2, k2, p2.

Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 (WS): K2, p2, k2, p8, k2, p2, k2.

Rows 3, 5, 7, and 9 (RS): P2, k2, p2, k8, p2, k2, p2.

Rep rows 1–10 for patt.

K on RS, P on WS.

P on RS, K on WS.

8-st cable: Sl next 4 sts to cn, hold at back of work; k next 4 sts; k 4 sts from cn, p2, k2, p2.

Note:
You’ll see in the directions that you will have to increase and decrease stitches at the beginning and end of the cable. That’s because cable stitches tend to eat up a lot of width. We need to work these increases and decreases to avoid any unsightly flaring when we make the transition from cables to stockinette at the hem and neckline.

D
IRECTIONS

BACK

With smaller needles, CO 74 (80, 86, 92) sts. Work 6 rows in St st. Change to larger needles and work even in St st until back meas 12 (13, 13, 14)" from beg.

BO 4 (4, 4, 6) sts at beg of next 2 rows—66 (72, 78, 80) sts rem. RS should be facing for next row.

For sizes Small (Medium) only: Work 6 (4) rows even, then cont as foll:

For
all
sizes:

Row 1 (RS): K2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2.

Row 2: P.

Rep these 2 rows 13 (15, 17, 18) times more—38 (40, 42, 42) sts.

NECK SHAPING

On next row (RS): K2, k2tog, k10. Slip these sts onto a holder. Now BO 10 (12, 14, 14) sts from the left-hand needle. Cont to k to the last 4 sts; ssk, k2. You should now have 13 sts on a holder; 10 (12, 14, 14) sts BO for the center of the neck; and another 13 sts on the right-hand needle (that’s the left shoulder).

**Now finish the left shoulder and neck shaping with the following 9 rows:

Row 1 (WS): P.

Row 2 (RS): BO 4 sts at neck edge; k to last 4 sts; ssk, k2.

Row 3: P.

Row 4: BO 2 sts at neck edge; k to last 4 sts; ssk, k2.

Row 5: P.

Row 6: K1, ssk, k2.

Row 7: P.

Row 8: Ssk, k2.

Row 9: P1, p2tog, then slip the first st over the second st and off the needles. Break off yarn and pass the tail of yarn through the last rem loop and pull tight (you BO and dec 1 st at the same time).

Now return the first 13 sts to a needle, and hold the work so that the WS is facing for the next row—we’ll begin knitting from the neck. Finish the right shoulder and neck shaping with the foll 9 rows:

Row 1 (WS): Join the yarn and BO the first 4 sts at neck edge; p to the end of the row.

Row 2 (RS): K2, k2tog, k to end.

Row 3: BO 2 sts at neck edge, p to end.

Row 4: K2, k2tog, k2.

Row 5: P.

Row 6: K2, k2tog, k1.

Row 7: P.

Row 8: K2, k2tog.

Row 9: P2tog, p1, then slip the first st over the second st and off the needle. Break off yarn and pass the tail of yarn through the last rem loop and pull tight.

FRONT

With smaller needles, CO 74 (80, 86, 92) sts. Work 6 rows in St st. Change to larger needles. RS should be facing for next row. Inc row: K 29 (32, 35, 38), p2, k2, p2, k1, M1, k1, M1, k1, M1, k1, M1, p2, k2, p2, k 29 (32, 35, 38)—78 (84, 90, 96) sts.

Next row (WS): P 29 (32, 35, 38), k2, p2, k2, p8, k2, p2, k2, p 29 (32, 35, 38).

Now we have laid the foundation row. The center 20 sts in the row should match up with the cable panel.

From now on, work the center 20 sts using the cable panel patt, beg with row 1 of the patt, and work the first and last 29 (32, 35, 38) sts in St st. Work another 52 (58, 58, 64) rows as established. You should have worked 5 (5, 5, 6) complete rep plus 2 (8, 8, 4) rows of the patt, and the front should be the same length as the back.

Cont in patt, proceed as foll:

BO 4 (4, 4, 6) sts at beg of next 2 rows.

For sizes Small (Medium) only: Work 6 (4) rows even in patt, cont as foll:

For
all
sizes:

Row 1 (RS): K2, k2tog, patt to last 4 sts, ssk, k2.

Row 2: Work even in patt.

Rep these 2 rows 13 (15, 17, 18) times more until there are 42 (44, 46, 46) sts rem. RS should be facing for next row.