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Yarn kits available at Nature’s Luxury.

Forever 16 is a revisit of the classic hoodie. It uses a combination of contiguous and raglan shaping to create its unique shape. It is worked seamlessly from the top down then the hood is worked by picking up stitches along the neckline. The pattern includes video tutorials to guide you along. As a top-down design you can easily lengthen it if you don’t like the cropped length. Yardage information is given in the pattern if you plan to lengthen it. Both the neck shaping and the hood shaping are done without short rows. This pattern is suitable for advanced beginners who are comfortable with trying something new.

This sweater is designed with inclusive sizing, designed to fit actual bust sizes from 76 cm / 30 inches to 168 cm / 66 inches. Measurements are given in both centimeters and inches.

Materials

Yarn

Worsted weight

Shown here: Nature’s Luxury Homey Nature (100% Merino Wool; 215 m/235 yds, 100 g/3.53 oz ball; color #422): 4 (5, 5, 5, 6) {6, 7, 7, 7, 8} skeins

The original yarn has a rough and dry texture and a crisp drape. Smooth superwash yarns are not recommended. If you have difficulties finding the original yarn, you could try Brooklyn Tweed Shelter or Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool.

Yardage requirement:

825 (900, 965, 1055, 1140) {1175, 1290, 1370, 1455, 1550} m / 905 (985, 1055, 1155, 1245) {1285, 1410, 1495, 1590, 1695} yds, including 10% allowance

If you do not work the drawstring, you will need 25 m / 30 yds less yarn.

If you plan to lengthen the body, for every 5 cm / 2 inches in length, you will need an additional 55 (60, 65, 70, 75) {80, 85, 90, 95, 100} m / 60 (65, 70, 75, 85) {90, 95, 95, 105, 110} yds of yarn, inclusive of 10% allowance.

Needles

• 5 mm / US 8 circular needle of length 60 - 100 cm / 24 - 40 inches or longer, depending on your size; adjust needle size if necessary to obtain gauge.

• 5 mm / US 8 needles in your preferred style for small circumference knitting in the round, for the sleeves.

• 4 mm / US 6 circular needle of length 100 cm / 40 inches, for the hood.

• spare needle of size smaller or equal to 4 mm / US 6 circular needle of length 100 cm / 40 inches, for the hood.

• 4.5 mm / US 7 circular needle of length 100 cm / 40 inches, for the hood.

• 4.5 mm / US 7 needles in your preferred style for narrow circumference knitting, for the drawstring.

Notions

Stitch markers; tapestry needle; waste yarn

Gauge

15.5 sts x 24 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Stockinette stitch, blocked.

Sizes

Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) {6, 7, 8, 9, 10}

This garment is intended to be worn with about 18-24 cm / 7-9.5 inches positive ease. For this design to fit properly, it is important that you choose a size with sufficient positive ease. For between sizes, choose the bigger size then adjust the difference by casting on fewer underarm stitches.

Shown in size 1, modeled with 21.5 cm / 8.5 inches of positive ease.

Finished Measurements

Finished chest circumference: 100.5 (106, 116, 126.5, 139.5) {147, 155, 162.5, 173, 183} cm / 39.5 (41.75, 45.75, 49.75, 54.75) {58, 61, 64, 68, 72.25} inches

How to choose your size: Measure a sweater in a similar style in your closet or add the amount of desired ease to your actual bust measurement, pick the size closest to that number. For example, if you want 18 cm / 7 inches of positive ease and your bust measurement is 99 cm / 39 inches, you should pick size 3.

Required Skills

Decreases, increases, picking up stitches, three-needle bind-off