Novita Venla: Squirrel sweater

Back

Using Haze and the smaller needles, cast on 96(102)108(114)120 sts and work stockinette st flat for 3 cm. Then knit 1 WS row for the fold. Switch to the larger needles and and work stockinette st.

When the piece measures 26(28)30(32)35 cm from the fold row, on every other row bind off 1x4(5)6(6)6 sts, 1(1)1(1)2x2 sts and 2(3)3(3)3x1 st at both ends for the armholes = 80(82)86(92)94 sts.

When the armhole measures 11(12)13(14)15 cm, bind off the middle 36(36)38(38)38 sts for the neckline. Work one side at a time. After 2 rows bind off 1x2 sts at the neckline edge.

When the armhole measures 13(14)15(16)17 cm, bind off the 20(21)22(25)26 shoulder sts or leave them on hold for the three-needle bind off.

Knit the other side in the same manner.

Front

Using Haze and the smaller needles, cast on 96(102)108(114)120 sts and work stockinette st flat for 3 cm. Then knit 1 WS row for the fold.

Switch to the larger needles. Work stockinette st and begin the intarsia pattern on row 1 of the chart: work 23(26)29(32)35 sts using Haze, work the 48 st pattern, work the remaining 25(28)31(34)37 sts using Haze. Work rows 2-59, then use Haze for the rest of the piece. Note: You can embroider the smallest details afterwards using duplicate sts.

When the piece measures 26(28)30(32)35 cm from the fold row, on every other row bind off 1x4(5)6(6)6 sts, 1(1)1(1)2x2 sts and 2(3)3(3)3x1 st at both ends for the armholes = 80(82)86(92)94 sts.

When the armhole measures 7(8)9(10)11 cm, leave the middle 26(26)28(28)28 sts on hold for the neckline. Work one side at a time. On every other row bind off 2x2 sts and 3x1 st at the neckline edge.

When the armhole measures 13(14)15(16)17 cm, bind off the 20(21)22(25)26 shoulder sts or leave them on hold.

Knit the other side in the same manner.

Sleeves

Using Haze and the smaller double-pointed needles, cast on 54(54)58(58)60 sts and divide them onto four needles. Work ribbing in the round for 5 cm.

Switch to the larger needles and work stockinette st in the round.

When the piece measures 10(9)8(10)8 cm, increase 2 sts: k1, increase 1 (= knit the strand of yarn between the sts through the back loop), work to last st, increase 1, k1. Repeat the increases every 4,5(3)3(2,5)2,5 cm 3(6)7(9)11 more times = 62(68)74(78)84 sts.

When the piece measures 28(30)32(35)38 cm, on the next round work to last 4(5)6(6)7 sts and then bind off the next 8(10)12(12)14 sts. Now work stockinette st flat. On every other row bind off 1x2(2)3(3)3 sts, 8(10)10(12)13x1 st, 1x2 sts and 1x3 sts at both ends. Bind off the remaining sts.

Knit the other sleeve in the same manner.

Finishing

Pin to measurements wrong side up, mist and allow to dry.

If you bound off the shoulder sts, sew the shoulder seams.

If you left the sts on hold, use the three-needle bind-off to join the pieces. Turn the piece inside out. Move the left back shoulder sts back onto the needles and hold the shoulders parallel. Knit together the first sts on the needles and slip them off the needles. Work the 2nd pair of sts in the same manner. Pass the first st on the right-hand needle over the second one. Continue until you run out of sts. Work the other shoulder in the same manner.

Neckline: place the neckline sts onto the smaller double-pointed needles and pick up and knit additional sts for a total of 108(110)112(112)114 sts. Work ribbing in the round for 2,5 cm, then loosely bind off in pattern.

Sew the side seams. Fold the hem and sew the edge to the inside. Attach the sleeves.

Embroider the small details to the squirrel design using duplicate stitches and back stitches.