Compass and Henry, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com.

INTRODUCTION

Compass and Henry

beauty shot

by Debbie West

Tangy

I love handspun knitwear! I wanted a design that would show off the beautiful handspun yarn without significant striping from the fiber processed into batts. The idea of knitting in rectangles was then the perfect segue into the blocks of this pattern. Alternating the color of each block adds visual detail from a distance and also makes the spinning more exciting. Up close, each block displays a different stitch pattern which gives the hand-spun yarn an opportunity to shine.

When knit with commercial yarn, the sweater stitch definition is more pronounced. The pattern is very flexible and multiple color combinations could be used. Compass and Henry are the alpaca who contributed their fiber to this creation.

spacer model: Debbie West

spacer photos: Taylor West, Mary Ann Drake

SIZE

For women's garments: XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
shown in size S with 5 inches/13 cm of ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest circumference at underarm: 32[35.5, 39.5, 45.5, 50.5, 54, 58, 64, 69] inches/ 81.5[90, 100.5, 115.5, 128.5, 137, 147.5, 162.5, 175.5] cm
Length: 20[20, 20, 23, 23, 23, 26, 26, 26] inches/ 51[51, 51, 58.5, 58.5, 58.5, 66.5, 66.5, 66.5] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
[MC] Batts [75% alpaca, 20% wool, 5% silk noil] 2.5 yd/2.3 m per g; 12[14, 15, 18, 20, 21, 24, 26, 29] oz / 340[375, 415, 500, 550, 585, 685, 740, 815] g
[CC] Roving [100% Blue Faced Leicester] 3 yd/2.75 m per g; 4[5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 9, 9, 10] oz / 110[120, 135, 160, 175, 185, 230, 250, 270] g

Knit Picks High Desert Sport [100% American Wool]; 298 yd/272 m per 100 g skein;

[MC] Juniper Berry; 3[4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7] skeins

[CC] Bare; 2[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3] skeins

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses handspun yarn, a woolen two-ply sport-weight with approximately 45 degree angle of twist to give nice stitch definition and not a lot of bulk. If using commercial yarn, the yarn should have a nice ply, good twist and minimal fuzz or halo so the stitch definition is clear. A wool or wool blend that has a some memory will maintain the shape of the sweater as a whole as well as the individual block stitch pattern.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 set US #5/3.5mm needles for working flat
1 US #5/3.5mm circular needle, 15-inch/40cm

Notions
stitch markers (optional)
cable needle
yarn needle

GAUGE

26 sts/42 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in Block 4 stitch pattern

Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Construction method: The sweater is worked bottom up, in pieces and then seamed. Each block has its own stitch pattern and the front and back stitch patterns are the same.

GS: (German Short Row) Work to turning point, turn work. With yarn in front, slip one stitch to right needle, pull working yarn up and over right needle firmly creating the double stitch (DS); keep yarn in back if next stitch is a knit, bring yarn back to the front between the needles if next stitch is a purl. On next row, knit the DS as one stitch in pattern.

All blocks have written and charted instructions. At the beginning of each block, I have clarified how floats will be worked to help simplify things. Also note that row gauges vary a bit but the objective is for each block to be about the same height.

Slip the first stitch of every row (with yarn in back on RS rows and with yarn in front on WS rows) for the back and front until armhole shaping. These are not included in the float hints for each block.

All stitches are slipped purlwise.

1/2 LC: Slip stitch to cable needle, k2, k1 from cable needle. Alternately, drop stitch to front, k2, with Left needle pick up dropped stitch and knit it.

1/2 RC: Slip 2 stitches to cable needle, k1, k2 from cable needle. Alternately, slip 2 sts to Right needle, drop next stitch to front, slip 2 sts back to Left needle, use Right needle to pick up dropped stitch and place on Left needle, k3.

CHARTS

Block 1 (all floats are to the WS of the work)
Row 1 [RS]: Sl 1 wyib, p2, *sl 2 wyib, p2; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl 1 wyif, *k2, sl 2 wyif; rep from * to last 3 sts, k2, p1.
Row 3: Sl 1 wyib, knit to end.
Row 4: Sl 1 wyif, purl to end.
Rep Rows 1-4 for patt.

Block 2 (all floats are to the RS of the work):
Row 1 [RS]: Sl 1 wyib, k1, *sl 2 wyif, k4; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl 1 wyif, p1, *p3, sl 2 wyib, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 3: Sl 1 wyib, k1, *k2, sl 2 wyif, k2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 4: Sl 1 wyif, p1, *p1, sl 2 wyib, p3: rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 5: Sl 1 wyib, k1, *k4, sl 2 wyif; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 6: Sl 1 wyif, p1, *sl 1 wyib, p4, sl 1 wyib; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 7: Rep Row 1
Row 8: Rep Row 6.
Row 9: Rep Row 5.
Row 10: Rep Row 4.
Row 11: Rep Row 3
Row 12: Rep Row 2.
Rep Rows 1-12 for patt.

Block 3 (all floats are to the WS of work):
Row 1 [RS]: Sl 1 wyib, k1, *sl 1 wyib, k3; rep from* to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl 1 wyif, p1, *p3, sl 1 wyif; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 3: Sl 1 wyib, k1, *1/2 LC, k1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 4: Sl 1 wyif, purl to end.
Row 5: Sl 1 wyib, k1, *k3, sl 1 wyib; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 6: Sl 1 wyif, p1, *sl 1 wyif, p3; rep from* to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 7: Sl 1 wyib, k1, *k1, 1/2 RC; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 8: Sl 1 wyif, purl to end.
Rep Rows 1-8 for patt.

Block 4 (all floats are to the WS of work):

Size XS, S, M, 1X, 2X, 3X, 5X only:
Rows 1, 3, 5, and 7 [RS]: Sl 1 wyib, *p1, k5, (p1, sl 1 wyib) three times; rep from * to last 8 sts, p1, k5, p1, k1.
Rows 2, 4, and 6 [WS]: Sl 1 wyif, k7, *(p1, k1) twice, p1, k7; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 8: Sl 1 wyif, knit to last st, p1.
Rows 9, 11, 13, and 15: Sl 1 wyib, *p1, (sl 1 wyib, p1) three times, k5; rep from * to last 8 sts, p1, (sl 1 wyib, p1) three times, k1.
Rows 10, 12, and 14: Sl 1 wyif, k1, (p1, k1) three times, *k6, (p1, k1) three times; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 16: Sl 1 wyif, knit to last st, p1.
Rep Rows 1-16 for patt.

Size L and 4X only:
Rows 1, 3, 5, and 7 [RS]: Sl 1 wyib, p1, *k3, (p1, sl 1 wyib) three times, p1, k2; rep from * to last 3 sets, k1, p1, k1.
Rows 2, 4, and 6 [WS]: Sl 1 wyif, k2, *k3, (p1, k1) twice, p1, k4; rep from * to last 2 sts, k1, p1.
Row 8: Sl 1 wyif, knit to last st, p1.
Rows 9, 11, 13, and 15: Sl 1 wyib, p1, *(sl 1 wyib, p1) twice, k5, p1, sl 1 wyib, p1; rep from * to last 3 sts, sl 1 wyib, p1, k1.
Rows 10, 12, and 14: Sl 1 wyif, k1, p1, *k1, p1, k7, p1, k1, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k1, p1.
Row 16: Sl 1 wyif, knit to last st, p1.
Rep Rows 1-16 for patt.

Block 5 (all floats are to the RS of work):
Row 1 [RS]: K1, *sl 3 wyif, k3; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 2 [and all WS rows]: Purl.
Row 3: K1, *k1, sl 3 wyif, k2; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 5: K1, *k2, sl 3 wyif, k1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 7: K1, *k3, sl 3 wyif; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 9: K1, *sl 1 wyif, k3, sl 2 wyif; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 11: K1, *sl 2 wyif, k3, sl 1 wyif; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rep Row 1-12 for patt.

Block 6 (all floats are to the WS of work):
Rows 1, 3, and 5 [RS]: K1, *sl 1 wyib, p3; rep from * to last 2 sts, sl 1 wyib, k1.
Rows 2 and 4 [WS]: P2, * k3, p1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 6: Purl.
Rows 7, 9, and 11: K1, *p2, sl 1 wyib, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts, p1, k1.
Rows 8 and 10: P1, k1, *k1, p1, k2; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 12: Purl.
Rep Rows 1-12 for patt.

Sleeve Block (all floats are to the FRONT on both RS and WS of work):
Row 1 [RS]: K1, *k1, sl 1 wyif, k2; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: P1, *k1, sl 1 wyif, p1, k1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 3: K1, *k3, sl 1 wyif; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 4: P1, *p1, k2, sl 1 wyif; rep from * to last st, p1.
Rep Rows 1-4 for patt.

Collar Block (all floats are to the WS of work):
Rounds 1 and 2: *Sl 2 wyib, p2; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rounds 3 and 4: Knit.
Rounds 5 and 6: *Sl 2 wyib, p2; rep from * to end of rnd.

DIRECTIONS

Back
With MC and needles for working flat, CO 104[120, 132, 148, 164, 180, 192, 208, 224] sts.

Block 1
Work Block 1 patt until block measures approx 3.25[3.25, 3.25, 3.75, 3.75, 3.75, 4.25, 4.25, 4.25] inches/ 8.5[8.5, 8.5, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 11, 11, 11] cm, ending after Row 2. Cut MC.

Next Row [RS]: With CC, sl 1 wyib, knit to end.
Next Row [WS]: Work inc/dec +2[-2, -2, 0, +2, -2, -2, 0, +2] sts as follows:

Inc 2 sts: Sl 1 wyif, k3, m1, knit to last 4 sts, m1, k3, p1.
Dec 2 sts: Sl 1 wyif, k3, k2tog, knit to last 6 sts, k2tog, k3, p1.
106[118, 130, 148, 166, 178, 190, 208, 226] total sts.

Block 2
Beg Block 2 with Row 1[1, 1, 9, 9, 9, 1, 1, 1] . Work until block measures approx 3.25[3.25, 3.25, 3.75, 3.75, 3.75, 4.25, 4.25, 4.25] inches/ 8.5[8.5, 8.5, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 11, 11, 11] cm, ending after a WS row. Cut CC.

Next Row [RS]: With MC: Sl 1 wyib, knit to end.
Next Row [WS]: Work inc/dec -2[+2, +2, 0, -2, +2, +2, 0, -2] sts as follows:

Inc 2 sts: Sl 1 wyif, k3, m1, knit to last 4 sts, m1, k3, p1.
Dec 2 sts: Sl 1 wyif, k3, k2tog, purl to last 6 sts, k2tog, p3, p1.
104[120, 132, 148, 164, 180, 192, 208, 224] total sts.

Block 3
Work Block 3 patt until block measures approx 3.25[3.25, 3.25, 3.75, 3.75, 3.75, 4.25, 4.25, 4.25] inches/ 8.5[8.5, 8.5, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 11, 11, 11] cm, ending after Row 4 or 8. Cut MC.

Next Row [RS]: With CC, sl 1 wyib, knit to end.
Next Row [WS]: Work inc/dec +1[-3, -3, +1, +1, -3, -3, +1, +1] sts as follows:

Inc 1: Sl 1 wyif, k3, m1, knit to last st, p1.
Inc 3: Sl 1 wyif, k3, m1, k50, m1, knit to last 4 sts, m1, k3, p1.
Dec 3: Sl 1 wyif, k3, k2tog, k50, k2tog, knit to last 6 sts, k2tog, k3, p1.
105[117, 129, 149, 165, 177, 189, 209, 225] sts.

Block 4
Note: Follow chart for your size as size as L and 4X have a different patt from the other sizes.

Beg Block 4 with Row 1[1, 1, 11, 11, 11, 1, 1, 1] . Work until block measures approx 2.25[2, 1.5, 2, 2, 1.5, 2, 1.5, 1] inches/ 5.5[5, 4, 5, 5, 4, 5, 4, 2.5] cm

Armhole Shaping
While maintaining patt, BO 5[6, 7, 8, 10, 10, 11, 14, 14] sts at beg of next two rows, then -[-, -, -, 5, 5, 7, 7, 7] sts at beg of next two rows.
BO 3 sts at beg of next -[2, 4, 4, 6, 4, 6, 8, 10] rows, then BO 2 sts at beg of next 2[4, 2, 6, 4, 8, 8, 8, 8] rows. 91[91, 99, 109, 109, 119, 119, 127, 137] sts.

Dec Row [RS]: K1, k2tog, work in patt to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.
Next Row [WS]: P1, work in patt to last st, p1.
Work last 2 rows 2[1, 2, 2, 1, 3, 1, 2, 4] times total. 87[89, 95, 105, 107, 113, 117, 123, 129] sts.

Cont as est until Block 4 measures approx 3.25[3.25, 3.25, 3.75, 3.75, 3.75, 4.25, 4.25, 4.25] inches/ 8.5[8.5, 8.5, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 11, 11, 11] cm, ending after a WS row. Cut CC.

Next Row [RS]: With MC, knit to end.

Decrease on the next row as follows:
Size XS, L, 3X, 4X, 5X only:
Next row [WS]: P1, k3, k2tog, knit to last st, p1.

Size S, M, 1X, 2X only:
Next row [WS]: P1, k3, k2tog, k -[38, 41, -, 47, 50, -, -, -] k2tog, knit to last 6 sts, k2tog, k3, p1.

86[86, 92, 104, 104, 110, 116, 122, 128] sts.

Block 5
Work Block 5 until block measures approx 3.25[3.25, 3.25, 3.75, 3.75, 3.75, 4.25, 4.25, 4.25] inches/ 8.5[8.5, 8.5, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 11, 11, 11] cm, ending after a WS row. Cut MC.

Next Row [RS]: With CC, knit to end.
Next Row [WS]: Work inc/dec -3[+1, -1, -1, +3, +1, -1, +1, -1] sts as follows:
Inc 1: P1, k3, m1, knit to last st, p1.
Inc 3: P1, k3, m1, k48, m1, knit to last 4 sts, m1, k3, p1.
Dec 1: P1, k3, k2tog, knit to last st, p1.
Dec 3: P1, knit 3, k2tog, k39, k2tog, knit to last 6 sts, k2tog, k3, p1.
83[87, 91, 103, 107, 111, 115, 123, 127] sts.

Block 6
Work Block 6 until block measures approx 3.25[3.25, 3.25, 3.75, 3.75, 3.75, 4.25, 4.25, 4.25] inches/ 8.5[8.5, 8.5, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 11, 11, 11] cm, ending after a WS row. Do not cut yarn.

Shape Shoulders

Right Back Shoulder
Next Row [RS]: K 20[22, 23, 28, 29, 31, 32, 35, 36] sts, turn.
Short Row: P 10[11, 11, 13, 14, 15, 15, 16, 17] , turn, GS, knit to neck edge.
Next Row: Purl working DS as a single stitch.
BO all sts. Cut yarn.

Left Back Shoulder
With CC, RT side facing and starting at right back neck edge, BO 43[43, 45, 47, 49, 49, 51, 53, 55] , continue with Short Row below.
Short Row: K 10[11, 11, 13, 14, 15, 15, 16, 17] turn, GS, purl to neck edge.
Next Row [RS]: Knit to end working DS as a single st.
Next Row: Purl.
BO all sts. Cut yarn.

Front
Work as for back until Block 5 is complete ending after a WS row.

Work Rows 1-2 of Block 6.

Left Front
Work Row 3 across 30[32, 34, 39, 41, 43, 45, 48, 49] sts, turn. Maintaining patt, BO 3 sts at neck edge once, then BO 2 sts at neck edge 2[2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3] times, then BO 1 st at neck edge 3[3, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4] times. 20[22, 23, 28, 29, 31, 32, 35, 36] sts.

Cont to work Block 6 as est until block measures approx 3.25[3.25, 3.25, 3.75, 3.75, 3.75, 4.25, 4.25, 4.25] inches/ 8.5[8.5, 8.5, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 11, 11, 11] cm, ending after a WS row. Do not cut yarn.

Left Front Shoulder
Next Row [RS]: Knit to end.
Short Row: P 10[11, 11, 13, 14, 15, 15, 16, 17] , turn, DS, knit to neck edge.
Next Row: Purl to end, working DS as a single stitch.
BO all sts. Cut yarn.

Right Front
With CC, RS facing and starting at left front neck edge, BO 23[23, 23, 25, 25, 25, 25, 27, 29] sts and finish Block 6 Row 3 as est.
Work Row 4 to neck edge. Maintaining patt, BO 3 sts at neck edge once, then 2 sts 2[2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3] times, then 1 st 3[3, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4] times. 20[22, 23, 28, 29, 31, 32, 35, 36] sts.

Right Front Shoulder
Short Row: K 10[11, 11, 13, 14, 15, 15, 16, 17] turn, GS, purl to neck edge.
Next Row [RS]: Knit to end working GS as a single st.
Next Row: Purl.
BO all sts. Cut yarn.

SLEEVES (Make two)
With MC, CO 54[54, 54, 62, 62, 66, 66, 70, 78] .
Next Row [WS]: Purl.

Work Sleeve Block until piece measures approx 1.5 inches/ 4 cm ending after WS row.

Inc row [RS]: K1, m1, work to last st, m1, k1.
Rep Inc row every 12[10, 8, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 4] rows 2[3, 9, 26, 17, 13, 6, 2, 40] times total, then rep every 10[8, 6, -, 4, 4, 4, 4, 2] rows 12[15, 13, -, 13, 19, 32, 38, 2] times. 82[90, 98, 114, 122, 130, 142, 150, 162] sts.

Work even until sleeve measures approx. 17[17.5, 17.5, 18, 18, 18, 19, 19, 19] inches/ 43[44.5, 44.5, 45.5, 45.5, 45.5, 48.5, 48.5, 48.5] ending after WS row.

Sleeve Cap
BO 5[6, 7, 8, 10, 10, 11, 14, 14] sts at beg of next two rows, then -[-, -, -, 5, 5, 7, 7, 7] sts at beg of next two rows. 72[78, 84, 98, 92, 100, 106, 108, 120] sts.
Dec Row [RS]: K1, k2tog, work in patt to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.
Work 3 rows in patt.
Work last 4 rows -[-, -, -, 13, 15, 15, 19, 17] times total. 70[76, 82, 96, 66, 70, 76, 70, 86] sts.

Work Dec row, work 1 row in patt.
Work last 2 rows 21[23, 25, 31, 15, 14, 16, 12, 19] times total. 28[30, 32, 34, 36, 42, 44, 46, 48] sts.

BO 3[3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4] sts at beg of next four rows. 16[18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32] sts.
BO all sts.

FINISHING

Weave in ends and block all pieces using schematic as a guide.
Seam shoulders. Seam sleeves into armholes. Seam sleeves to armhole and then side seams from armhole to Block 2, leaving Block 1 unseamed for vents.

Collar
With RS facing, shorter circular needles and MC beg at center back neck, pick up and knit 1 st in every bound off st, and approx 2 sts for every 3 rows along front neck shaping. 76[76, 80, 84, 84, 84, 88, 92, 96] sts Join to work in the round.

Work Collar Block Rounds 1-6.
Next rnd: BO in p2, k2.

A – Back width at chest: 16[17.75, 19.75, 22.75, 25.25, 27, 29, 32, 34.5] inches/ 40.5[45, 50, 58, 64, 68.5, 73.5, 81.5, 87.5] cm
B – Body length to armhole: 12[11.75, 11.25, 13.25, 13.25, 12.75, 14.75, 14.25, 13.75] inches/ 30.5[30, 28.5, 33.5, 33.5, 32.5, 37.5, 36, 35] cm
C – Armhole depth: 7.5[7.75, 8.25, 9.25, 9.25, 9.75, 10.75, 11.25, 11.75] inches/ 19[19.5, 21, 23.5, 23.5, 25, 27.5, 28.5, 30] cm
D: Shoulder height: 0.5 inches/ 1.5 cm
E: Front neck depth: 3.75[3.75, 3.75, 4.25, 4.25, 4.25, 4.75, 4.75, 4.75] inches/ 9.5[9.5, 9.5, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12, 12] cm
F: Shoulder width: 3[3.5, 3.5, 4.25, 4.5, 4.75, 5, 5.5, 5.5] inches/ 7.5[9, 9, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 14, 14] cm
G: Back width at neck: 6.5[6.5, 7, 7.25, 7.5, 7.5, 7.75, 8.25, 8.5] inches/ 16.5[16.5, 18, 18.5, 19, 19, 19.5, 21, 21.5] cm
H: Wrist circumference: 8.25[8.25, 8.25, 9.5, 9.5, 10.25, 10.25, 10.75, 12] inches/ 21[21, 21, 24, 24, 26, 26, 27.5, 30.5] cm
I: Sleeve length: 17[17.5, 17.5, 18, 18, 18, 19, 19, 19] inches/ 43[44.5, 44.5, 45.5, 45.5, 45.5, 48.5, 48.5, 48.5] cm
J: Upper arm circumference: 12.5[13.75, 15, 17.5, 18.75, 20, 21.75, 23, 25] inches/ 32[35, 38, 44.5, 47.5, 51, 55, 58.5, 63.5] cm
K: Sleeve cap height: 5[5.5, 5.75, 7, 8.75, 9.25, 9.5, 10.5, 11] inches/ 12.5[14, 14.5, 18, 22, 23.5, 24, 26.5, 28] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Debbie West is a Master Knitter, teacher, and knitwear designer whose work is published in knitting magazines such as Cast On and Knit Now as well as online platforms including Knitty and Ravelry. She is an avid fiber artist and loves all things related to fiber. She lives with her husband and their four beloved pups in the country.

She can be found on Ravelry.