Worked from the top down with compound raglan shaping, the Beechnut Sweater features an intricate but easily memorizable colourwork pattern.

This pattern includes waist shaping and uses a dynamic sizing system that tailors knitting instructions to your measurements. Learn more about how this system works →

Sizes
(1, 2, 3) (4, 5, 6) (7, 8, 9)
These sizes are intended to fit actual body measurements of:
Upper chest circumference (measured around armpit level): (77.5, 85.5, 93.5) (102, 110, 118.5) (126.5, 134.5, 140) cm/(30.5, 33.75, 36.75) (40.25, 43.25, 46.75) (49.75, 53, 55) in
Full chest circumference: (71-76, 81-86, 91.5-96.5) (101.5-106.5, 111.5-117, 122-127) (132-137, 142-147, 152-158) cm/(28-30, 32-34, 36-38) (40-42, 44-46, 48-50) (52-54, 56-58, 60-62) in

The sweater has a finished full chest circumference of (74.5, 85.5, 95) (105, 116, 125.5) (135, 146.5, 156) cm/(29.75, 34.25, 38) (42, 46.5, 50.25) (54, 58.5, 62.5) in.

Use your full bust measurement to estimate your size and yarn quantities. The Shaping Tables will refine the size recommendation. Shaping Tables can be worked either with standard pattern shaping OR be tailored to your measurements. When customizing the tables, this tool recommends a starting size based on your high bust and generates a row-by-row yoke shaping plan tailored to your measurements. Tables can be used online or printed.

This pattern was designed to have between 2 cm/0.75 in negative ease and 4.5 cm/1.75 in positive ease in the full bust. Sample shown is size 3 worn with 5 cm/2 in positive ease on a 90 cm/35.5 in full bust, with no modifications to the base pattern shaping.

Gauge
Beechnut Chart in the round: 25 stitches and 28 rounds = 10 cm/4 in using gauge-size needle.

Yarn
Julie Asselin Journey Sport, (56 g/192 m, 80% merino, 20% targhee) in Automne (MC) and Mouton Noir (CC); (4, 4, 5) (5, 6, 7) (7, 8, 9) skeins MC and (2, 3, 3) (3, 3, 4) (4, 5, 5) skeins CC. This yarn is a non-superwash 3-ply wool with 12wpi and a suggested gauge of 24-26 sts.

(673, 763, 833) (941, 1029, 1162) (1283, 1434, 1549) m/(736, 835, 911) (1029, 1126, 1271) (1404, 1569, 1694) yd MC and (363, 412, 449) (507, 555, 626) (692, 773, 835) m/(397, 450, 491) (555, 607, 685) (757, 846, 913) yd CC.

Needles and Notions
Below-gauge-size needle should be one size smaller than your gauge-size needle.
For reference, gauge was achieved with a 3.25 mm/US 3 needle. Below-gauge size needle used was 3 mm/US 2.5.
80-100 cm/32-40 in gauge-size circular needles
Below-gauge size needles for working cuffs, button band, and hem
Scrap yarn or stitch holders
11 stitch markers: 4 A markers, 4 B markers, 2 C markers, 1 unique BOR marker
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Skills Required
Knit, purl, picking up stitches, reading charts, Long-Tail Cast-On, two-colour stranded knitting, increasing and decreasing in a colourwork chart; tutorial links included for Cable Cast-On, Colour Dominance, and Twisted Rib.

Construction Plan
The Beechnut Sweater is worked from the top down. After casting on, markers are placed for neck and raglan increases, and short rows are worked in the main colour only to raise the back neck. Colourwork begins after joining to work in the round and the yoke is then worked to the underarms. After separating for body and sleeves, waist shaping is worked into the body. After knitting the hem, sleeve stitches are picked back up and worked straight until decreasing quickly for the cuff. Finally, neck stitches are picked up to work the collar.