When your name is Meridith Shepherd, occasionally people bring up Grey's Anatomy, and the idea that had Meredith taken Derek's last name, her character would be Meredith Shepherd. After a Twitter conversation with Knitty's editor, Amy Singer, I began thinking of pattern ideas based on the show, and as fun as a knit surgical cap sounded, I opted for a men's sweater design.
The idea for this pullover came from the infamous sticky note wedding, the memory triggered by its recurrence and importance in the current season. The couple promised to love each other even when they hated each other, forever, with no running away, and take care of one another when they were old, senile and smelly. With their signatures, this little note made them married, was framed and signified their commitment to one another.
This close fitting sweater, with its garter st bordered squares, begins at the bottom hem with an integrated ribbing and is worked in the round to the armhole shaping. The back and fronts are then worked flat and finished with sewn shoulder seams. Sleeves are also worked from the bottom up in the round and seamed into place. Finally the collar is picked up and worked with short rows in a textured ribbing for a stylish, coordinating look.
For those of us that show our love in knitted form, this sweater is an opportunity to show our commitment one sticky note at a time. The close fitting sweater flatters broad-shouldered fellas and the shawl collar looks stylish and dressed up with minimal effort. Even if the man in your life isn't a Grey's Anatomy fan and doesn't know what the sticky note vows, the design's simplicity and style will appeal and flatter, making this a favorite winter staple.
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below — every knitter's
gauge is unique] 1 set US #5/3.75mm double-point needles, or preferred needle for working small circumferences in the round 32-inch US #5/3.75mm circular needle
Notions 4 stitch markers waste yarn or stitch holder smooth yarn in similar color for seaming yarn needle
GAUGE
24 sts/34 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch
23 sts/35 rows = 4" in Sticky Note pattern
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
In the square pattern, squares are 19[21, 23, 25, 27] sts wide and 28[30, 32, 36, 38] rows tall. Each square measures approximately 3.25[3.5, 3.75, 4.25, 4.5] inches.
When knitting flat, keep one stitch at each edge in St st for easy seaming.
When decreasing for armholes, collar and sleeve cap shaping, work the decreases as stated in the pattern except for the rows where the last stitch of a garter st vertical column is being decreased. In those cases, if the normal dec is an ssk, work a k2tog to keep the square pattern intact; if the standard dec is a k2tog, work an ssk instead.
Continue to maintain Sticky Note pattern while working armhole, neck, and sleeve shaping.
Note that Sleeves and Body end on the same round of the Sticky Note pattern before the armhole; account for this when altering the length of either piece.
Instructions for Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off can be found here.
Garter st (in the round): Rnd 1: Knit. Rnd 2: Purl.
Rep last 2 rnds for patt.
Garter st (worked flat):
Knit every row.
Sticky Note Pattern (in the round): Rnd 1: Knit. Rnd 2: K19[21, 23, 25, 27], p2, rep from * to last 19[21, 23, 25, 27] sts, knit to end.
Rep last 2 rnds 13[14, 15, 17, 18] times more. Next 4 rnds: Work in garter st.
Rep last 32[34, 36, 40, 42] rnds for patt.
Sticky Note Pattern (worked flat): Row 1 [RS]: Knit. Row 2 [WS]: *P19[21, 23, 25, 27], k2, rep from * to last 19[21, 23, 25, 27] sts, purl to end.
Rep last 2 rows 13[14, 15, 17, 18] times more. Next 4 rows: Work in garter st.
Rep last 32[34, 36, 40, 42] rows for patt.
DIRECTIONS
BODY
Using the long tail cast-on, CO 208[232, 256, 280, 304] sts. Join for working in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts, and pm for beg of rnd.
Note: The Front of this sweater has two more stitches than the Back. They will be eliminated in the underarm bind off.
Note: For size S, two markers will be next to each other at the side seams. Note that there are no stitches worked in garter stitch between these markers and you will instead slip the second marker and carry on with the rib/Sticky Note pattern or the following rnd.
Rnd 1 [RS]: Knit.
Rnd 2 [WS]: *Purl to m, sl m, [(k1, p1) 9[10, 11, 12, 13] times, k1, p2] 4 times, (k1, p1) to 1 st before m, k1, sl m, purl to side m, sl m; rep from * once more.
Rep last 2 rnds four times more.
Work in garter st for 4 rnds.
Begin Sticky Note pattern: Rnd 1: *Work garter st to m, sl m, work Sticky Note pattern to m, sl m, work garter st to m, sl m; rep from * once more.
Work in Sticky Note pattern and garter st as established until work measures 15[15.25, 15.25, 16, 16.25] inches from CO edge, ending after an even (purl) rnd of garter st selvedge and ending 3[3, 3, 4, 4] sts before end of rnd. Make a note of which rnd of Sticky Note pattern you have ended on.
Next rnd: BO 7[7, 7, 9, 9] sts, patt to 4[4, 4, 5, 5] sts before next side m, BO 7[7, 7, 9, 9] sts, patt to end of rnd. 194[218, 242, 262, 286] sts: 97[109, 121, 131, 143] sts each for Front and Back.
Back:
Place first 97[109, 121, 131, 143] sts on holder for Front, if desired.
Continue to work flat on sts for Back only.
Turn and work 1 WS row in patt.
Dec row [RS]: K1, ssk, patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts dec'd.
Work 1 WS row in patt.
Rep last 2 rows 9 times more. 77[89, 101, 111, 123] sts.
Work even in patt until piece measures 24.25[25, 25.5, 26.75, 27.5] inches from CO edge, ending after a WS row.
Next row [RS]: Patt 25[30, 34, 38, 42], BO 27[29, 33, 35, 39], patt to end of row.
Shape back left shoulder: Row 1 [WS]: Work in patt.
Row 2 [RS]: K1, ssk, patt to end. 1 st dec'd.
Rep last 2 rows twice more. 22[27, 31, 35, 39] sts.
Rows 7, 9 & 11 [WS]: Work in patt.
Row 8: K1, ssk, patt 15[20, 24, 28, 32], w&t.
Row 10: K1, ssk, patt 9[12, 18, 22, 28], w&t.
Row 12: Patt 4[6, 9, 12, 16], w&t.
Row 13 [WS]: Work in patt, working wraps with wrapped sts. 20[25, 29, 33, 37] sts.
BO rem sts.
Shape back right shoulder:
Join yarn to 25[30, 34, 38, 42] sts held for right shoulder with WS facing.
Row 1 [WS]: Work in patt.
Row 2 [RS]: Patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 1 st dec'd.
Rep last 2 rows twice more. 22[27, 31, 35, 39] sts.
Row 7 [WS]: Patt 17[22, 26, 30, 34], w&t.
Row 8 [RS]: Patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Row 9: Patt 11[14, 20, 24, 30] sts, w&t. Row 10: Patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Row 11: Patt 4[6, 9, 12, 16] sts, w&t. Row 12: Work in patt. Row 13 [WS]: Work in patt, working wraps with wrapped sts. 20[25, 29, 33, 37] sts.
BO rem sts.
Front:
Join yarn to 97[109, 121, 131, 143] sts held for Front with WS facing.
Work 1 WS row in patt.
Dec row [RS]: K1, ssk, patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts dec'd.
Work 1 row in patt.
Rep last 2 rows 9 times more. 77[89, 101, 111, 123] sts.
Work even in patt if necessary until armhole measures 2.5[2.5, 3.75, 4.25, 4.75] inches, ending after a WS row. Note: If row gauge is correct and length has not been altered, this should fall fairly soon after 4 rows of garter stitch have been worked in Sticky Note Pattern.
Shape neck: Next row [RS]: Patt 30[35, 40, 44, 49] sts, BO 17[19, 21, 23, 25], patt to end. Place sts for Left Front on holder and cont on sts for Right Front only.
Right Front:
Work even in patt until piece measures 3[3.5, 3.75, 4.25, 4.5] inches from neck BO, ending after a WS row.
Dec row [RS]: K1, ssk, patt to end of row. 1 st dec'd.
Work even in patt for 3 rows.
Rep last 4 rows 9[9, 10, 10, 11] times more. 20[25, 29, 33, 37] sts.
Work even until work measures approx. 1 row shorter than Back to shoulder, measured at armhole edge and ending after a WS row.
Shape shoulder: Row 1 [RS]: Patt 15[20, 24, 28, 32] sts, w&t. Row 2 and every foll WS row: Work in patt to end of row. Row 3: Patt 9[12, 18, 22, 28] sts, w&t. Row 5: Patt 4[6, 9, 12, 16] sts, w&t. Row 7: Work in patt, working wraps with wrapped sts. Row 8 [WS]: Work in patt.
BO rem sts.
Left Front:
Join yarn to 30[35, 40, 44, 49] sts held for Left Front and work even in patt until piece measures 3[3.5, 3.75, 4.25, 4.5] inches from neck BO, ending after a WS row.
Dec row [RS]: Patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 1 st dec'd.
Work even in patt for 3 rows.
Rep last 4 rows 9[9, 10, 10, 11] times more. 20[25, 29, 33, 37] sts.
Work even until work measures approx. 1 row shorter than Back to shoulder, measured at armhole edge and ending after a RS row.
Row 2 and every foll RS row: Work in pattern to end of row.
Row 3: Patt 9[12, 18, 22, 28] sts, w&t.
Row 5: Patt 4[6, 9, 12, 16] sts, w&t.
Row 7: Work in pattern, working wraps with wrapped sts.
Row 8 [RS]: Work in pattern.
BO rem sts.
Sleeves (Make 2)
Using the long tail cast-on, CO 36[38, 40, 42, 44] sts. Join for working in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts, and pm for beg of rnd.
Rnd 1: Knit. Rnd 2: P2, sl m, (k1, p1) twice, k1, p2, (k1, p1) 9[10, 11, 12, 13] times, k1, p2, (k1, p1) twice, k1, sl m, p1.
Rep last 2 rnds 7[4, 4, 4, 4] times more. (Adjust number of rows here to alter length of sleeve).
Work in garter st for 4 rnds.
Note: The Sticky Note pattern is worked with one square motif centered on the sleeve and partial squares at each side. As increases are worked, another full square motif should be added on each side of the center motif. As stitches are increased, they should be worked into the Sticky Note Pattern.
Next rnd: Work in garter st to m, sl m, M1, k5, p2, k19[21, 23, 25, 27], p2, k5, M1, sl m, work in garter st to end. 38[40, 42, 44, 46] sts.
This rnd establishes the garter st outside the markers and the Sticky Note Pattern inside the markers.
Work 4[3, 3, 3, 3] rnds even in pattern.
Inc rnd: Work in garter st to m, sl m, M1, work Sticky Note Pattern to m, M1, sl m, work in garter st to end. 2 sts inc'd.
Work 4[3, 3, 3, 3] rnds even in pattern.
Rep last 5[4, 4, 4, 4] rnds 18[21, 24, 26, 28] times more. 76[84, 92, 98, 104] sts.
Continue even in patt until sleeve measures approx. 15.75[15.25, 15.25, 15.75, 15.75] inches from cast-on edge, ending on same row of Sticky Note Pattern as Body before armhole bind-offs and ending 3[3, 3, 4, 4] sts before end of rnd.
Shape cap: Next row [RS]: BO 7[7, 7, 9, 9] sts, patt to end of row. 69[77, 85, 89, 95] sts.
Continue to work flat as follows:
Work 1 WS row in patt.
Dec row [RS]: K1, ssk, patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts dec'd.
Work 1 row even in patt.
Rep last 2 rows 9 times more. 49[57, 65, 69, 75] sts.
Rep Dec row.
Work 3 rows even in patt.
Rep last 4 rows 3[3, 3, 2, 2] times more. 41[49, 57, 63, 69] sts.
Rep Dec row.
Work 1 row even in patt.
Rep last 2 rows 18[22, 25, 28, 31] times more. 3[3, 5, 5, 5] sts rem and work measures approx. 24.75[25, 25.75, 26.75, 27.75] inches from cast-on edge. BO all sts.
FINISHING
Seam shoulders. Sew sleeves to body, ensuring the horizontal garter stripes on the sweater body match up with those on the sleeve.
Collar
Beginning at the right side neck edge, pick up and knit 59[65, 75, 83, 89] sts along right front edge to back neck bind-off, 27[29, 33, 35, 39] sts along back neck, and 59[65, 75, 83, 89] sts along left front edge. 145[159, 183, 201, 217] sts.
Set-up row [WS]: P2, (k1, p1) to last 3 sts, k1, p2.
Short Row Shaping: Short row 1 [RS]: K121[135, 155, 167, 181], w&t.
Short row 2 [WS]: (K1, p1) across 96[110, 126, 132, 144] sts, k1, w&t.
Short row 3 [RS]: Knit to 4 sts before last w&t, w&t.
Short row 4 [WS]: (K1, p1) to 5 sts before last w&t, k1, w&t.
Rep last 2 rows 8 times more.
Next row [RS]: Knit to end of row, picking up and working wraps with wrapped sts.
Next row [WS]: P2, (k1, p1) to last 3 sts, picking up and working wraps with wrapped sts, k1, p2.
Next row [RS]: Knit.
Next row [WS]: P2, (k1, p1) to last 3 sts, k1, p2.
Rep last 2 rows 13[14, 15, 17, 19] times more, or until the collar is long enough to sew across the bind off stitches at the base of the collar, ending with a WS row.
BO all stitches using Jeny's Surprisingly Stretch Bind Off.
Sew down the right side of shawl collar to the innermost leg of the bind-off at the base of the collar shaping, and sew vertically, attaching the collar to the right edge of the left front. Using the outermost leg of the bind off at the base of the collar shaping, sew the left side of the shawl collar down, as shown.
Weave in all ends.
Soak and lay the sweater flat to dry, ensuring that the collar is folded down as it will be worn, and that horizontal and vertical lines throughout the sweater are straight and square.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Meridith has been knitting for 11 years and published her first knitting pattern in 2011. Since then, she has focused on home items and wearable accessories, but has deemed 2015 The Year of The Sweater Design.
