Hope Point, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com. Free knitting pattern for a tee sweater with two colorblocked panels of colorwork.

INTRODUCTION

Hope Point

beauty shot by Deanna Haxton

Piquant

Many of my patterns are named after my favorite Alaskan hiking trails. One of my favorite spots on the Hope Point trail I found when I missed the turn-off for a switchback and found myself hiking straight up a wearily steep section of mountain. As I stopped to rest, I discovered a glorious field of wild flowers growing at a sharp angle to the horizon. This pattern's sharp slipped stitch peaks, paired with 'Life in the Long Grass' yarn, pay homage to that glorious summertime moment.

The Hope Point top is oversized and boxy and intended to be worn with 10-14 inches of positive ease. It is worked in pieces, making it a great project for taking along with you. The body panels are made of a slip stitch pattern while the top front and back are knit in Stockinette stitch. The side panels are knit in seed stitch. You will have the opportunity to practice lots of seaming and finishing techniques.

The pattern can easily be worked in just two colors (use one color for MC and one colour for CC1, 2, and 3), but this project would make an excellent stash-buster.

spacer model: Deanna Haxton

spacer photos: Ian Haxton

SIZE

XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
shown in size M with 12 inches/30 cm of positive ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest/Bust: 39[44, 49.5, 52.5, 57.5, 63, 65, 68, 76.5] inches / 99[112, 125.5, 133.5, 146, 160, 165, 172.5, 194.5] cm
Length: 18.75[18.75, 21.25, 21.25, 21.5, 24, 23.5, 23.75, 23.75] inches / 47.5[47.5, 54, 54, 54.5, 61, 59.5, 60.5, 60.5] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Life in the Long Grass Sport [100% superwash merino; 328 yd/300m per 100g skein];
[MC] Night Sky; 2[3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5] skeins
[CC1] Prairie; 0.5[0.5, 0.75, 0.75, 0.75, 1.25, 1.25, 1.25, 1.5] skeins
[CC2] Starlit; 2[2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5] skeins

[CC3] Araucania Huasco Sock [75% merino, 25% nylon; 433 yd/396m per 100g skein]; Guacamayo; 0.25[0.25, 0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 0.75, 0.75, 0.75, 0.75] skeins

Yarn Characteristics: The sample shown uses a sport-weight 2-ply 100% superwash wool yarn. This pattern looks best in solid, semi-solid, or lightly variegated yarn so long as there is high contrast between the colors to show off the pattern. A fingering weight yarn was used as a contrast color on one of the back panels. This top's roomy fit will allow for some wiggle room, and you may be able to substitute fingering-, sport-, or DK-weight yarns as contrast colors on the panel sections, but it is highly recommended that you check gauge before substituting yarns of other weights.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
#4 US/3.5 mm circular needle, length 16 inch/40-cm, or size needed to obtain gauge
#2 US/2.75 mm circular needle, length 16 inch/40-cm
Note: Most of this project is worked flat, but you will need needles suitable for knitting in the round to pick up the stitches for the neck band and bottom hem.

Notions
stitch holders
yarn needle

GAUGE

26 sts/54 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in Charts A/B slipped stitch pattern using larger needles.
25 sts/34 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in Stockinette stitch using larger needles.
19.5 sts/49 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in Seed stitch using larger needles.

Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.

PATTERN NOTES

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

Techniques:

I-cord Bind Off: CO 4 sts onto the LH needle using the knitted cast-on. *K3, k2tog tbl, slip 4 sts back onto LH needle; rep from * until 4 sts rem. BO. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail, and sew bound off edge of i-cord to cast on edge.

In slip stitch patterns, only RS rows are charted, and only one color of yarn is used per set of 2 rows (Rows 1-2, 3-4, etc.).. Work each WS row as the previous RS row, working chart from left to right and making sure floats are kept to the WS of the work.

SPECIAL STITCHES
Seed Stitch (multiple of 2 sts + 1)
Row 1: (K1, p1) to last st, k1.
Rep this row for patt.

CHARTS

DIRECTIONS

Left Front Body Panel
Using MC and larger needles, CO 46[46, 68, 68, 68, 90, 90, 90, 112] sts.

Set-up row [WS]: Using MC, k1, purl to last st, k1.

Join CC2 and work Rows 1-32 of Chart A, working 22-st pattern repeat 2[2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5] times across each row.

Repeat Rows 1-32 of Chart A 5[5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7] more times.

BO all sts in MC.

Left Back Body Panel
Work as for Left Front Body Panel, using MC and CC3.

Right Body Panel (make 2)
Using CC1 and larger needles, CO 46[46, 68, 68, 68, 90, 90, 90, 112] sts.

Set-up row [WS]: Using CC, k1, purl to last st, k1.

Join MC and work Rows 1-32 of Chart B, working 22-st pattern repeat 2[2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5] times across each row.

Repeat Rows 1-32 of Chart A 5[5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7] more times.
BO all sts in CC1.

Body Construction
Wash and block your body panels. Once fully dry, seam together as follows:

With one left body panel and one right body panel lying side by side, with RS facing up, sew together up the middle using MC with mattress stich.

Repeat for remaining left and right body panels. You should now have two large panels that will form the front and back of your garment.

Top Front Panel
With CC2, larger needles, and RS facing, pick up and knit 83[83, 124, 124, 124, 165, 165, 165, 207] sts evenly from the top edge of your joined Right and Left Body panels (approx. 14 sts in every 15 sts).

Starting with a WS row, work in St st until front neck panel measures 2.5[2.5, 2.75, 2.75, 2.75, 2.75, 2.5, 2.75, 2.5] inches / 6.5[6.5, 7, 7, 7, 7, 6.5, 7, 6.5] cm from pick-up edge, ending after a WS row.

Next row [RS]: K 34[34, 53, 53, 53, 74, 74, 73, 94] and place these sts on holder, BO 15[15, 18, 18, 18, 17, 17, 19, 19] sts, knit to end of row. 34[34, 53, 53, 53, 74, 74, 73, 94] sts.

Shape right front neck:
Next row [WS]: Purl.
Next row [RS]: BO 4[4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4, 4, 3] sts, knit to end.
Rep last 2 rows 2[2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4] times more. 22[22, 41, 41, 41, 62, 58, 57, 79] sts.

Next row [WS]: Purl.
Next row [RS]: BO 2[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 2] sts, knit to end.
Rep last 2 rows 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 0] time(s) more. 18[18, 37, 37, 37, 56, 56, 55, 77] sts.

Sizes XS, S, M, L, 1X & 5X Only:
Next row [WS]: Purl.
Next row [RS]: BO 1 st, knit to end.

Shape right front shoulder (All Sizes):
17[17, 36, 36, 36, 56, 56, 55, 76] sts.

Next row [WS]: BO 4[4, 9, 9, 9, 14, 14, 13, 19] sts, purl to end.
Next row [RS]: Knit.
Rep last 2 rows twice more.

BO 5[5, 9, 9, 9, 14, 14, 16, 19] rem sts.

Shape left front neck:
With WS facing, join CC2 to 34[34, 53, 53, 53, 74, 74, 73, 94] sts held for left front.
Next row [WS]: BO 4[4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4, 4, 3] sts, purl to end.
Next row [RS]: Knit.
Rep last 2 rows 2[2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4] times more. 22[22, 41, 41, 41, 62, 58, 57, 79] sts.

Next row [WS]: BO 2[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 2] sts, purl to end.
Next row [RS]: Knit.
Rep last 2 rows 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 0] times more. 18[18, 37, 37, 37, 56, 56, 55, 77] sts.

Sizes XS, S, M, L, 1X & 5X Only:
Next row [WS]: BO 1 st, purl to end.
Next row [RS]: Knit.

Shape right front shoulder (All Sizes):
17[17, 36, 36, 36, 56, 56, 55, 76] sts.

Next row [WS]: Purl.
Next row [RS]: BO 4[4, 9, 9, 9, 14, 14, 13, 19] sts, knit to end.
Rep last 2 rows twice more.

BO rem 5[5, 9, 9, 9, 14, 14, 16, 19] sts.

Back Panel
With CC2, larger needles, and RS facing, pick up and knit 83[83, 124, 124, 124, 165, 165, 165, 207] sts from the top edge of your joined Right and Left Body panels (approx. 14 sts in every 15 sts).

Work in St st until back panel measures 3.75[3.75, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4] inches / 6.5[6.5, 10, 10, 9.5, 11, 9.5, 10, 10] cm from pick-up edge, ending after a WS row.

Next row [RS]: K 23[23, 42, 42, 42, 62, 62, 61, 82] ] and place these sts on holder, BO 37[37, 40, 40, 40, 41, 41, 43, 43] sts, knit to end of row. 23[23, 42, 42, 42, 62, 62, 61, 82] sts.

Shape left back neck and shoulder:
Note: Read ahead! Neck and shoulder shaping are worked at the same time.

Cont in St st, BO 4[4, 9, 9, 9, 14, 14, 13, 19] sts at beg of every WS row 3 times; AT THE SAME TIME, BO 2 sts at beg of every RS row 2 times, then dec 1 st at end of every WS row 2 times.

When all shaping has been completed, BO rem 5[5, 9, 9, 9, 14, 14, 16, 19] sts.

Shape right back neck and shoulder:
Note: Read ahead! Neck and shoulder shaping are worked at the same time.

Join yarn to 23[23, 42, 42, 42, 62, 62, 61, 82] sts held for right shoulder with WS facing.

Cont in St st, BO 2 sts at beg of every WS row (neck edge) 2 times, then dec 1 st at end of every WS row 2 times; AT THE SAME TIME, BO 4[4, 9, 9, 9, 14, 14, 13, 19] sts at beg of every RS row 3 times.

When all shaping has been completed, BO rem 5[5, 9, 9, 9, 14, 14, 16, 19] sts.

Side Panels (Make 2)
Note: Adjust number of cast-on sts to modify desired width of garment (see schematic).

With MC and larger needles, CO 17[23, 13, 17, 23, 13, 15, 19, 13] sts.

Work in Seed st for 37.5[37.5, 42.5, 42.5, 43, 48, 47, 47.5, 47.5] inches / 95.5[95.5, 108, 108, 109, 122, 119.5, 120.5, 120.5] cm.

BO all sts.

FINISHING

Using CC2, seam shoulders.

Lay your knitting flat with RS facing up. Place side panels on each side of Front and Back pieces; each side panel should run from the bottom edge of your Front body panels, up and over the shoulders, and end at the bottom edge of your back body panels. Sew in place using mattress stitch and MC.

Sew side panels at side seams, leaving an opening of approx. 5[5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 7.5, 8] inches / 12[13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 19, 20] cm at the top for the armhole.

Neckband
Using smaller needles and CC2 starting at left shoulder seam, pick up and knit 118[118, 124, 124, 124, 126, 126, 130, 130] sts around neck opening (approx. 1 st in each BO st and 3 sts in every 4 rows). Pm and join to work in the round.

Work i-cord bind off.

Bottom Hem
With larger needles and MC pick up 236[260, 308, 324, 348, 396, 404, 420, 484] sts ( 44[44, 66, 66, 66, 88, 88, 88, 110] sts from each of four body panels and 30[42, 22, 30, 42, 22, 26, 34, 22] sts from each of two seamed side panels). Pm and join to work in the rnd.

Work i-cord bind off.

Wash, block, and weave in ends. Take a picture of your finished object and share it on Instagram using #HaxtonKnitsMAL

Note: Measurements do not include 1 st for selvedge at each edge of each piece.

A – Chest Circumference: 39[44, 49.5, 52.5, 57.5, 63, 65, 68, 76.5] inches / 99[112, 125.5, 133.5, 146, 160, 165, 172.5, 194.5] cm
B – Length to shoulder: 18.25[18.25, 20.75, 20.75, 21, 23, 22.75, 23, 23.5] inches / 46.5[46.5, 52.5, 52.5, 53.5, 58.5, 58, 58.5, 59.5] cm
C – Body Panel Width: 6.75[6.75, 10.25, 10.25, 10.25, 13.5, 13.5, 13.5, 17] inches / 17[17, 26, 26, 26, 34.5, 34.5, 34.5, 43] cm
D – Body Panel Height: 14.25[14.25, 16.5, 16.5, 16.5, 19, 19, 19, 19] inches / 36[36, 42, 42, 42, 48.5, 48.5, 48.5, 48.5] cm
E – Side Panel Width: 3[4.25, 2.25, 3, 4.25, 2.25, 2.75, 3.5, 2.25] inches / 7.5[11, 5.5, 7.5, 11, 5.5, 7, 9, 5.5] cm
F – Side Panel Height 37.5[37.5, 42.5, 42.5, 43, 48, 47, 47.5, 47.5] inches / 95.5[95.5, 108, 108, 109, 122, 119.5, 120.5, 120.5] ] cm
G – Neck Width: 7.75[7.75, 8.25, 8.25, 8.25, 8.5, 8.5, 8.75, 8.75] inches / 19.5[19.5, 21, 21, 21, 21.5, 21.5, 22, 22] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Deanna is an American living in Okinawa, Japan. She is a Master Knitter and YouTuber. Although she loves the tropical heat of Okinawa, her heart remains in the snowy lands of the north where there exists actual sweater weather.

You can find her on YouTube, Instagram, and Ravelry.