The Squirrel Tree top has been one of my great favorites this summer! I love knitting outdoors and as this summer has been exceptionally hot in Scandinavia I had to find myself a Place in the shadow where I could work.
The Place I chose most of the time was under a pinetree out on the small island in South of Norway where I go every summer. A squirrel was in the top of the tree, preparing his stock of pine-seeds for winter, looking down at me from time to time. I guess he was wondering what I was up to! I liked the idea that we were sharing the quiet, lovely place in the shadow together….

I love knitting outdoors - and as this summer has been exceptionally hot in Scandinavia I had to find myself a place in the shadow where I could work. The place I chose most of the time was under a pine-tree out on the small Island in south of Norway where I go every summer. A squirrel was in top of the tree, preparing his stock of pine-seeds for winter, looking down at me from time to time. I guess he was wondering what I was up to! I liked the idea that we were sharing the quiet, lovely place in the shadow together.

My Squirrel Tree sweater/top is as sweet and relaxed as a perfect summer day! I didn’t want to work anything elaborate or complicated - just something nice and easy to wear as well as easy to knit. Using simple ribbing and a simple ribbing for the mid-sections (see under “skills”) the top looks elegant as well as being flattering.

Construction Simple square lines means no seaming, no increases, no decreases, and a perfect look! You could work the top either top-down or bottom-up. Just choose your favorite method and follow the instructions for either way. Main body is worked in the round with “false side-seams” (the perfect place to hide loose ends!) whereas the upper part is worked flat for front and back. Sleeves are worked top-down from picked-up stitches, which means that you could decide length of sleeves as you go.

Material“ You could work any DK cotton (or merino if you prefer a top for winter) knitted to 21 sts/26 rows. You will need 1050/1200/1350/1500/1700/1900 meters = 1148/1312/1476/1640/1859/2077 yards. Sample is knitted using needles 4mm/US6

Sizes If worked at exact gauge the finished bust measurement will be 85/95/105/114/124/133cm = 33.5/37.5/41.5/45/49/52.5” Please allow up to 4” for a relaxed fit.

Skills You would need basic knitting skills to work this top: k and p sts/ working in the round/picking up stitches. There are no difficult stitches involved. The rib-pattern used for the mid-front section as well as mid-sleeve section contains a stitch that I call a slipped st as I found no proper name for it. It is easily made - and I explain how to achieve it.

The pattern is in English. I give instructions for how to work Squirrel Tree top-down or bottom-up. All measurements are given in cms as well as inches.

Please note: the sample is worked bottom-up and with a super-relaxed fit with approximately 5” of positive ease.