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Benton

Benton is a top-down, drop shoulder pullover influenced by the name of that impeccable contrast color (The ‘Bers) and how it plays with the main color (Smudge Sticks). It is a modified drop shoulder construction where for sizes 1-7, the shoulder fabric extends a little down the sleeves for an extra slouchy look, and for sizes 8-10, the extra fabric is omitted so the slouch isn’t overdone.

Sizes

(1,2,3)(4,5,6)(7,8,9,10) with finished garment circumferences:

(91.5,100,108.5)(116.5,125,133.5)(141.5,150,158.5,166.5)cm /
(36,39.25,42.75)(45.75,49.25,52.5)(55.75,59,62.5,65.5)“

Intended to be worn with about 10 to 15cm / 4 to 6” of positive ease at bust (and/or hips), so I recommend that you choose a size which is 10 to 15cm / 4 to 6” larger than your bust (and/or hip) circumference. Sample shown is size 3, worn with 13cm / 5” ease at hips on a 173cm / 68” tall woman.

Yarn

Sweet Pea & Sparrow Soft Sock (85% superwash merino wool & 15% nylon; 437 yards / 400 meters per 100 grams) in 3 colors. Approximate meterage and yardage is given below (if using the same yarn, the number of skeins is also given).

C1 Smudge Sticks: (2,2,2)(2,2,3)(3,3,3,3) skeins
(605,655,700)(755,800,900)(965,1050,1100,1200) meters /
(660,715,765)(825,875,985)(1055,1150,1205,1315) yards

C2 The ‘Bers: (1,1,1)(2,2,2)(2,2,2,2) skein(s)
(360,385,400)(435,460,510)(535,565,595,620) meters /
(395,420,435)(475,505,560)(585,620,650,680) yards

C3 Eggs: 1 skein
(130,135,145)(155,165,180)(190,205,215,225) meters /
(145,150,160)(170,180,195)(210,225,235,245) yards

Gauges

To find your needle size, you need to swatch the single-color stockinette. If you don’t know whether your stitch gauge changes between single-color stockinette and stranded colorwork, then you should swatch for both.

Single-color stockinette: 24 sts / 32 rows to 10cm / 4” using size B needles
Stranded colorwork: 24 sts / 28 rows to 10cm / 4” using size C needles

Needles & Notions

The gauges were achieved with the following needle size. To work the pattern as written, you must swatch and use a needle size that will result in the correct gauge after blocking. Note that the pattern is written assuming that the knitter needs to use a smaller needle for single-color stockinette. If your gauge does not change between single-color stockinette and stranded knitting, then you don’t need to change needle sizes.

Size A: 3mm (US 2.5) 60cm / 24” circular needles for the neckline ribbing
Size B: 3.25mm (US 3) circular needles of varying lengths for the single-color stockinette,
and cuff and hem ribbing
Size C: 3.75mm (US 5) circular needles of varying lengths for the stranded colorwork

You will also need: spare interchangeable cables, spare needles or scrap yarn for holding stitches; stitch markers.

Techniques

• double stitch short rows grafting stitches at the underarm (for sizes 1-7 only)
• stranded colorwork in the round
• m1r & m1l increases at the neckline
• backward loop cast on at the neckline
• 2 stitch I-cord BO at the neckline
• ribbed sewn BO at the hem and cuffs
• k2tog and ssk decreases in the sleeves

Tech edited by Sue Hislop (on Ravelry as Sue-Cat)