by Natalie Wilson

This comfy oversized cuddler will take you through the cooler months in style. The open sides keep it drapey. Despite all the cheerful colors, you never have to work with more than one at a time.

For a different look, try using just one accent yarn in a more subtle contrast with the main color.

And don't be put off by the weaving. It's easier than it looks.

model: Sarah Fairman photos: Natalie Wilson

MATERIALS

[MC] Curious Creek Fibers Samburu [55% mohair, 45% wool; 108yd/ 98m per 50g skein]; color: Glacier Lakes; 6 [9] skeins
[CC1] Curious Creek Fibers Shira [54% mohair, 23% silk, 18% wool, 5% nylon; 86yd/77m per 50g skein]; color: Glacier Lakes; 5 [7] skeins
[CC2] Curious Creek Fibers Shira [54% mohair, 23% silk, 18% wool, 5% nylon; 86yd/ 77m per 50g skein]; color: Anemone; 2 skeins
[CC3] Curious Creek Fibers Shira [54% mohair, 23% silk, 18% wool, 5% nylon; 86yd/ 77m per 50g skein]; color: Tilting the Gizmo; 1 skein
[CC4] Curious Creek Fibers Shira [54% mohair, 23% silk, 18% wool, 5% nylon; 86yd/ 77m per 50g skein]; color: Sunrise on Daffodils; 1 skein

1 set US #8/5mm double-point needles
1 set US #8/5mm straight needles
1 24-inch US #8/5mm circular needle
6 stitch holders
Locking ring markers
Tapestry needle

17 sts/23 rows = 4 inches in St st stripe pattern using US #8/5 mm needles
15 sts/23 rows = approx. 4 inches when weaving is complete

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

Stripe Pattern
Row 1 (RS): K with MC.
Rows 2-6: Cont in St st with MC.
Rows 7-10: Cont in St st with CC.
These 10 rows form Stripe Pattern.

The CCs will be used in the following sequences:

For Back and Front:
CC1 6[7] times, CC2, CC1, CC3, CC1, CC4, CC1, CC2.
Then work in MC only to end of piece.

For Sleeves:
Size S-L: CC1, CC4, CC1, CC2, CC1, CC3, CC1, CC2.
Size XL-XXXL: CC1, CC2, CC1, CC4, CC1, CC2, CC1, CC3.

Shoulder seams
Place shoulder sts on dpns. Using locking ring markers or safety pins, mark 13th and 26th [13th, 26th, and 39th] sts in from armhole edge of each shoulder (on both front and back). 8[12] marked sts in total.
Holding right sides together, using three needle BO and yarn tails from back
shoulders, join fronts to backs, dropping marked sts on both front and back
pieces, working BO very loosely over dropped sts. When all shoulder sts are bound off, unravel dropped sts so that ladders form in the fabric. Unravel ladders down to CO edge.

Neckband
Using locking ring markers or safety pins, mark center st of neck, and 13th st out from either side of center st, on both front and back. 6 marked sts in total.
Using US #8 circular needle and CC1, with RS facing and starting at left shoulder seam, pick up and k 18 sts along left side front neck, place marker, k2 from holder, drop marked st and CO 3 sts over it, [k12 from holder, drop marked st and CO 3 sts over it] twice, k rem 2 sts from holder, place marker, pick up and k 18 sts from right side front neck, pick up and k 2 sts along right side back neck, place marker, k7 from holder, [drop marked st and CO 3 sts over it, k12 from holder] twice, drop marked st and CO 3 sts over it, k rem 7 sts from holder, place marker, k2 sts from left side back neck. 124 sts on needle.

Place different colored marker to mark beg of round, and join work to beg working in the round. NOTE: in subsequent rounds, when instructed to decrease at marker, do not decrease at this marker.
Round 1: [P18, p2tog] 6 times, p4. 118 sts rem.
Rounds 2, 4, and 6: [K to 2 sts before marker, ssk, slip marker, k2tog] 4 times, k to end.
Round 3: [P16, p2tog] 6 times, p2. 104 sts rem.
Round 5: [P14, p2tog] around. 90 sts rem.
After Round 6, 82 sts rem.
BO all sts purlwise.

Side bands
Using US #8 needles and CC2[CC3], pick up and k 50[58] sts along left side edge of front, from lower edge to last row before CC2.
K 3 rows.
BO all sts.
Rep along right side edge of front, and both side edges of back.
Block pieces to measurements.

Weaving
Color sequence:
With RS facing, weave in following color sequence from left to right:
CC4, CC2, CC3, CC2 (center), CC3, CC2, CC4 [CC2, CC4, CC2, CC3, CC2 (center), CC3, CC2, CC4, CC2].

Weaving technique
Thread 2 strands of CC onto tapestry needle and, using photos as guides, weave these strands over then under 2 ladder strands at a time from CO edge of front over shoulder to CO edge of back or to neck edge, leaving tails approximately 8-10 inches long at CO edge(s). Work a second pass in same ladder by weaving under then over 2 ladder strands at a time, then work a third pass as for the first. Secure ends at neck edge. Tie overhand knots to join all weaving strands into tassels at CO edges. Repeat weaving and tying for all ladders.

Sew sleeves to armhole edges above side bands. Sew sleeve seams. Overlap front side bands over back side bands and tack down on inside near sleeve. Weave in ends. Trim tassel ends to desired length (approx 3 inches in model).