Every now and then we get a winter day that is so cold you can see sun dogs (parhelia) glowing on each side of the sun. Technically they are "false suns" created by ice crystals in the atmosphere, and you see them best when the sun is low in the sky. When I was a child I would see them late in the afternoon while playing in the snow with friends. These days I see them on the way to or from work, but they never cease to bring me joy -- much as knitting does -- on an impossibly frozen day.
This is a unisex pullover with a round neck. Instructions are given for women's sizes, but this pullover is designed to be easily adapted for almost any size or shape.
Because it has dropped shoulders, you work the body at the desired circumference and to a length that is 2.25 inches shorter than the desired finished length from shoulder to hem. Mark the armhole depth according to your needs, then work the sleeves that correspond to that armhole (the saddles are worked to the length of the shoulders).
Women can easily include waist shaping and short-row bust shaping without interrupting the main pattern stitch. If you choose to substitute a texture stitch for the stockinette portions, note that the sleeve pattern stitch (Slalom) includes two stitches on each side in stockinette in order to maintain the visual effect of the pattern emerging from the solid sides.
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below -- every knitter's
gauge is unique] 1 US #6/4mm circular or straight needles of an appropriate length for the chest circumference of chosen size 16-inch US #4/3.5mm circular needle
20 sts/28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch with larger needles (blocked)
Front or Back Cable Section (Parhelia Chart, Snowdrift Chart, Winter Sun Chart, Snowdrift Chart, Parhelia Chart: 84 sts wide) = 12.25 inches across with larger needles (blocked)
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
Cont to work patterns as possible during neck shaping. When it no longer becomes possible, continue to knit the knit and purl the purl stitches.
Closing Cables:
Closing cables is the method of decreasing in the cable panels before binding off to ensure the bind-off end doesn't flare. This is similar to the increases made before beginning the cables at the start of the work, but involves decreasing instead.
In this pattern, you will find instructions to close cables, and will be given a total number of stitches to decrease in this manner. Work decreases as symmetrically as possible in the pattern of the cable. In the neck, you will be instructed to close cables in a manner that will make it easiest to manipulate into K2, P2 rib when stitches are picked up for the neckband. Depending on the last row worked, that might mean that some of the 2-st cables are not closed. There is no right or wrong way to accomplish this, as some adjustments to the pattern can be made in following WS rows before placing stitches on holders, or in the first round of working the neckband.
A tutorial for the Suspended Bind-Off can be found here.
2/1 LPC: Slip 2 sts to cn and hold in front, p1; k2 from cn. 2/1 RPC: Slip 1 st to cn and hold in back, k2; p1 from cn. 2/2 LC: Slip 2 sts to cn and hold in front, k2; k2 from cn. 2/2 RC: Slip 2 sts to cn and hold in back, k2; k2 from cn. 2/2 LPC: Slip 2 sts to cn and hold in front, p2; k2 from cn. 2/2 RPC: Slip 2 sts to cn and hold in back, k2; p2 from cn.
Set-up Row 2 [WS]: Purl to m, sl m, k2, p2, k2, p4, k2, p2, k2, p8, k4, p4, k2, p2, k12, p2, k2, p4, k4, p8, k2, p2, k2, p4, k2, p2, k2, sl m, purl to end.
Change to larger needles.
Next row [RS]: Knit to m, sl m, p2, k2, p2, k4, p2, k2, p2, k8, p4, k4, p2, k2, p12, k2, p2, k4, p4, k8, p2, k2, p2, k4, p2, k2, p2, sl m, knit to end.
Next row [WS]: Purl to m, sl m, k2, p2, k2, p4, k2, p2, k2, p8, k4, p4, k2, p2, k12, p2, k2, p4, k4, p8, k2, p2, k2, p4, k2, p2, k2, sl m, purl to end.
Begin Cables:
Beginning with Row 1 of charts, begin cables as follows:
Row 1 [RS]: Knit to m, sl m, work Parhelia Chart, work Snowdrift Chart, work Winter Sun Chart, work Snowdrift Chart, work Parhelia Chart, sl m, knit to end. Row 2 [WS]: Purl to m, sl m, work Parhelia Chart, work Snowdrift Chart, work Winter Sun Chart, work Snowdrift Chart, work Parhelia Chart, sl m, purl to end.
These 2 rows set the cable pattern with St st either side.
Shape Waist (Optional):
Work even in patt until piece measures 3.5[3.5, 3.5, 3.25, 3, 3.5, 3.25, 3.5, 3.5, 4, 3.75, 4.25, 4, 4.5, 4.25, 4.75, 4.75, 5.25] inches from cast on, ending after a WS row.
Dec row [RS]: K6, k2tog, patt as set to last 8 sts, ssk, k6. 2 sts dec.
Work 3 rows even in patt.
Rep last 4 rows three times more. 92[96, 100, 108, 112, 116, 120, 128, 132, 136, 140, 148, 152, 156, 160, 168, 172, 176] sts.
Work 6 rows even in patt.
Inc row [RS]: K6, m1, patt as set to last 6 sts, m1, k6. 2 sts inc.
Work 3 rows even in patt.
Rep last 4 rows three times more. 100[104, 108, 116, 120, 124, 128, 136, 140, 144, 148, 156, 160, 164, 168, 176, 180, 184] sts.
Continue to Armhole:
Cont in patt as set until piece measures approximately 15.5 inches from cast-on edge, or desired length to underarm, ending after a WS row.
Mark armholes:
Place row markers at each end of this row to indicate beginning of armhole, then continue working as set until piece measures 4.5[4.75, 4.75, 5.25, 5.25, 5.75, 5.75, 6.25, 6.25, 6.75, 6.75, 7.25, 7.25, 7.75, 7.75, 8.25, 8.25, 8.75] inches from armhole markers, or approx. 2.25 inches shorter than the desired overall length, from CO edge, ending after a WS row.
Sizes A[B, C, D, E, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -] only:
Row 3 [RS]: Ssk, knit to m, sl m, patt 6, ssk, k2tog, patt 6, k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1, work Winter Sun Chart, k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1, patt 6, ssk, k2tog, patt 6, sl m, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Sizes -[-, -, -, -, F, G, H, I, J, K, -, -, -, -, -, -, -] only:
Row 3 [RS]: Ssk, knit to m, sl m, patt 6, ssk, k2tog, patt 6, k1, ssk, k5, work Winter Sun Chart, k5, k2tog, k1, patt 6, ssk, k2tog, patt 6, sl m, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Sizes -[-, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R] only:
Row 3 [RS]: Ssk, knit to m, sl m, patt 6, ssk, k2tog, patt 6, work Snowdrift Chart, work Winter Sun Chart, work Snowdrift Chart, patt 6, ssk, k2tog, patt 6, sl m, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Upper Back Tab:
With RS facing, join yarn to rem sts and work in patt as set until Back Tab measures 1.75 inches from BO edges, ending after a WS row.
Next row [RS]: Work all sts as set, closing cables and dec a total of 8[8, 8, 10, 10, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 16, 16] sts in row (see Pattern Notes on Closing Cables). 26[26, 26, 28, 28, 30, 30, 30, 34, 34, 34, 36, 36, 36, 36, 36, 38, 38] sts rem for back neck. Next row [WS]: Change to smaller needle and work in patt, rearranging stitches into 2x2 rib as needed. Place sts on holder.
Front
Work as for Back until piece measures approximately 3.25[3.5, 3.5, 4, 3.75, 4.25, 4.25, 4.75, 4.5, 5, 5, 5.25, 5.25, 5.75, 5.75, 6, 6, 6.5] inches after armhole markers, ending after a WS row.
Shape Neck:
Place markers either side of center 16 sts of row.
Next row [RS]: Patt to second m, sl m, close cables to next m by decreasing a total of 6 sts and working rem sts into K2, P2 rib (a total of 10 sts remain between these markers), sl m, patt to end.
Next row [WS]: Work in patt to third marker, place last 10 sts worked on holder (removing both markers), patt to end. 42[44, 46, 50, 52, 54, 56, 60, 62, 64, 66, 70, 72, 74, 76, 80, 82, 84] sts rem either side of neck.
Left Front Neck: Note: Read ahead. Cables are closed at the same time as neck shaping is worked.
Cont to close cables on RS rows, decreasing a total of 4 sts over rem sts of Winter Sun chart (last 10 sts of initial RS row) and 0[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] sts over 8 sts of Snowdrift chart, not including neck decreases and working these sts into 2x2 rib as possible. AT THE SAME TIME, cont to shape neck as foll:
BO 2[2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4] sts at beg of next WS row.
Dec 1 st at neck edge every RS row 2[2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6] times, working dec row as foll: [RS]: Work as set to 3 sts before the neck edge, dec 1 st (working ssk or ssp as per pattern), k1.
After all neck shaping has been completed, work even until Front measures same as back to shoulder decreases (if necessary) ending after a WS row.
Shape shoulders: Next row [RS]: Ssk, patt to end. Next row [WS]: Patt to last 2 sts, ssp. Next row [RS]: Ssk, then patt to end, closing cables by decreasing 2[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0] sts across Snowdrift Chart and 2 sts across Parhelia Chart. Next row [WS]: Patt to last 2 sts, ssp.
BO rem 26[28, 30, 32, 34, 35, 37, 41, 41, 43, 45, 48, 50, 52, 54, 58, 58, 60] sts of Left Front.
Right Front Neck:
With RS facing, join yarn at neck edge of Right Front and work 1 RS row even in patt.
Note: Read ahead. Cables are closed at the same time as neck shaping is worked.
Cont to close cables on WS rows, decreasing a total of 4 sts over rem sts of Winter Sun chart (first 10 sts of initial RS row) and 0[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] sts over 8 sts of Snowdrift chart, not including neck decreases and working these sts into 2x2 rib as possible. AT THE SAME TIME, cont to shape neck as foll:
BO 2[2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4] sts at beg of next RS row.
BO 0[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] sts at beg of foll 0[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1] RS row.
Dec 1 st at neck edge every RS row 2[2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6] times, working dec row as foll: [RS]: K1, dec 1 st (working ssk or ssp as per pattern), patt as set to end.
After all neck shaping has been completed, work even until Front measures same as back to shoulder decreases (if necessary) ending after a WS row.
Next row [RS]: Patt to last 2 sts, k2tog. Next row [WS]: Ssp, patt to end. Next row [RS]: Patt to last 2 sts, closing cables by decreasing 2[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0] sts across Snowdrift Chart and 2 sts across Parhelia Chart, k2tog. Next row [WS]: Ssp, patt to end.
BO rem 26[28, 30, 32, 34, 35, 37, 41, 41, 43, 45, 48, 50, 52, 54, 58, 58, 60] sts of Left Front.
Set-up Row 2 [WS]: Purl to m, sl m, p4, k2, p2, k2, p4, k2, p2, k2, p4, sl m, purl to end.
Begin cables and sleeve increases:
Change to larger needles.
Inc row [RS]: K6, m1, knit to m, sl m, work Slalom Chart, sl m, knit to last 6 sts, m1, knit to end. 2 sts inc'd.
Cont even in patt (working Slalom Chart and st st as set) for 7[5, 7, 5, 5, 5, 5, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 1, 1] rows more.
Work even in patt until sleeve measures approximately 19.25[19.25, 19.25, 19.25, 19.5, 19.5, 19.5, 19.5, 19.5, 19.5, 19, 19, 19, 19, 18, 17.75, 17.5, 17.5] inches from CO edge, or desired length from hem to underarm, ending after a WS row.
Saddle: Next row [RS]: BO 25[26, 26, 29, 29, 31, 31, 34, 34, 36, 36, 39, 39, 41, 41, 44, 44, 46] sts (removing marker), work next 24 sts in patt, SM, knit to end. Next row [WS]: BO 25[26, 26, 29, 29, 31, 31, 34, 34, 36, 36, 39, 39, 41, 41, 44, 44, 46] sts (removing marker), work in patt to end. 24 sts rem.
Work saddle even in patt for 36[38, 40, 44, 46, 48, 50, 56, 56, 60, 62, 66, 68, 72, 74, 80, 80, 82] rows more (saddle measures approx. 5.25[5.5, 6, 6.5, 6.75, 7, 7.5, 8.25, 8.25, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 10.75, 11.5, 11.5, 12] inches long), ending after a WS row.
Next row [RS]: Close cables, decreasing 6 sts across row. 18 sts.
Bind off.
FINISHING
Block pieces. Seam sleeve saddles to Back and Front, using schematic for guidance. Seam underarm and side seams.
Neckband Note: Due to the nature of the cable to rib flow at the back and front necks, specific numbers of stitches to pick up at each side of neck are not given. Pick up a number of stitches that will allow the K2, P2 rib to seamlessly flow from the back neck to the front neck, and will not artificially bunch or flare the neck edge. Pick up a similar number of sts on either side of the front neck. At the end of picking up sts, you should have a multiple of 4 sts on the needles.
With smaller circular needle, join yarn to back neck sts and work across these sts in K2, P2 rib. Pick up and knit sts along the left front neckline to the front neck. Work across held front neck sts in K2, P2 rib, pick up and knit sts to back neck, join to work in the rnd.
Work even in K2, P2 rib until neckband measures 1.25 inches, or desired length.
Bind off using Suspended Bind-Off (use a larger needle if necessary).
Weave in ends. Block once more, if desired.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Judith Brodnicki is a graphic designer. She lives, works, and knits in Omaha, Nebraska, with her husband, two dogs and two cats (all of whom were banned from the guest room while the pieces were blocked).
