by Carla Pletzer

Winter in cottage country can be long, dark and cold when waiting for summer to return. With piles of snow and treacherous roads you can find yourself stuck both physically and mentally. The days are grey and uninspiring and the typical woolies keeping you warm can be much the same.

But Winter Doldrums, based on traditional fair isle sweaters, includes modern features such as waist shaping, fitted sleeves, a loose cowl neck, and vivid color choices. Warm and cozy, this sweater will not only keep you toasty when you venture outside, but the pops of bright color are guaranteed to break you out of your winter funk.

SIZE
XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X]
shown in size L, worn with 1.5 inches of positive ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 32[35.5, 39, 42.75, 46.25, 49.75, 53.25, 57] inches
Length: 23.5[24.5, 24.5, 25.5, 25.5, 26.5, 26.5, 26.5] inches (shoulder to hem)

MATERIALS
Yarn
Georgian Bay Fibre Co. Kilcoursie Aran [80% superwash BFL, 20% nylon; 210yd/192m per 115g skein]
[MC] Zhiishiib Rock Granite (Grey); 6[6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 9] skeins
[CC1] Vasey Monarda (Pink); 1 skein
[CC2] Big Chute Asclepias (Orange); 1 skein
[CC3] Meaford Spring Buds (Green); 1 skein

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
24 to 32-inch US #6/4mm circular needle
1 16-inch and 1 32-inch US #8/5mm circular needle
US #6/4mm needles for small circumferences in the round

Notions
3 stitch markers
4 stitch holders
waste yarn or spare needle
yarn needle

GAUGE
18 sts/24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch and chart patterns using larger needle

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

Charts are worked in St st (knit every round).

DIRECTIONS
Using smaller circ needle and MC, cast on 144[160, 176, 192, 208, 224, 240, 256] sts. Join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts, and pm for beg of rnd (this is the left side "seam").

Rib round: (K1tbl, p1) around.

Rep this rnd until piece measures 1 inch from cast-on.

Switch to larger needle and work in St st until piece measures 7 inches from cast-on.

Next round: K90[100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160] sts, pm, k36[40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64], pm, k18[20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32] to end.

Shape waist:
Round 1: *K to 3 sts before m, ssk, k1, sl m, k1, k2tog; rep from * once more, knit to end of rnd. 4 sts dec'd.

Rounds 2-4: K.

Rep last 4 rnds four times more. 124[140, 156, 172, 188, 204, 220, 236] sts.

Shape bust:
Rounds 1-3: K.

Round 4: *K to 1 st before m, M1L, k1, sl m, k1, M1R; rep from * once more, knit to end. 4 sts inc'd.

Rep last 4 rnds four times more. 144[160, 176, 192, 208, 224, 240, 256] sts.

Cont in St st until piece measures 17 inches from cast-on edge or desired length to underarm, removing markers placed for waist shaping.

Next round: K4[5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10] and place last 8[10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 20] sts worked on holder for left underarm (removing marker), k64[70, 76, 82, 88, 94, 100, 108] for front, k8[10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 20] sts and place these sts on holder for underarm, k64[70, 76, 82, 88, 94, 100, 108] sts for back to end.

Place rem sts for front and back on waste yarn or spare needle and set aside. Do not break yarn.

SLEEVES (Make 2)
Using smaller circ needle(s) or DPNs and MC, cast on 40[40, 44, 44, 48, 48, 52, 52] sts.

Join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts, and pm for beg of rnd.

Rib round: (K1tbl, p1) around.

Rep this rnd until piece measures 2 inches from cast-on.

Begin Sleeve Chart:
Switch to larger needle(s).

Next round: Work Round 1 of Sleeve chart, working 4 sts of chart 10[10, 11, 11, 12, 12, 13, 13] times in total across round.
Cont in patt until all 12 rounds of Sleeve Chart have been completed. Break all yarns except MC.

Cont with MC only as foll:
K 8[7, 7, 6, 6, 5, 5, 5] rnds.

Inc round: K1, M1R, k to last st, M1L, K1. 2 sts inc'd.

Rep last 9[8, 8, 7, 7, 6, 6, 6] rnds 7[9, 9, 11, 11, 13, 13, 13] times more. 56[60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 80] sts.

Cont even in St st if necessary until sleeve measures 17[17.5, 18, 18, 18, 18.5, 18.5, 18.5] inches from cast-on or desired length to underarm, ending last round 4[5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10] sts after beg of rnd marker. Place last 8[10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 20] sts on holder, then place 48[50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 60] rem sts of rnd on separate holder.

Begin Yoke Chart:
Round 1: Work Rnd 1 of Yoke Chart, working repeat 14[15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21] times in total across round.

Cont in Yoke Chart as set until all 54 rounds have been worked. 84[90, 96, 102, 108, 114, 120, 126] sts.

Cont with MC only as foll:

Cowl neck:
Next round: K, inc 0[2, 0, 2, 0, 2, 0, 2] sts evenly around. 84[92, 96, 104, 108, 116, 120, 128] sts.

Next round: (K2, p2) around.
Rep last rnd until piece measures 13.5[13.5, 13.5, 14, 14, 14.5, 14.5, 14.5] inches from start of K2, P2 rib.

Bind off all sts in patt.

FINISHING
Join underarms using Kitchener Stitch.
Weave in all ends. Wash and block sweater.

Carla Pletzer is owner and lead dyer of Georgian Bay Fibre Co. based in Rosseau, Ontario. Combining her backgrounds in art history, graphic design, and marketing, Carla seeks to dye beautiful yarns inspired by the region she calls home and feature them in stylish and flattering knitted designs.

Carla's designs and yarns can be found online.