While celebrating three generations of family time at a reunion with lots of down time, conversation with my niece happened upon sweater styles.
She was headed off for a year of study abroad, and I really wanted to send her off with a sort of “sisterhood hug”.
Fern and Pine Sweater became that tangible hug.

Difficulty/Skills Required: Level: Intermediate.
Knit, Purl, 1/2 RC, 1/2 LC, 4/4 RC, Long Tail and Knitted cast on methods, Knitting in the round.

Yarn Weight:
DK

Notions:
Tapestry needle, Stitch holders or waste yarn

Gauge: All gauges are calculated per 4” / 10 cm finished, blocked fabric, using gauge needles.
Stockinette: 22 sts and 28 rows/Rnds
Fern and Pine Cables: 24 sts and 28 rows/Rnds
K2, P2 rib: 24 sts and 24 Rnds.
RT Rib: 25 sts and 24 Rnds.

Suggested Yarns:
Kelbourne Woolens Scout (100% Wool); 274 yds / 250 m per 3.53 oz / 100 g skein.

Yarn shown:
Kelbourne Woolens Scout, 330 / Heather

Yardage:
1075 (1175, 1275, 1350, 1475) (1575, 1700, 1880, 2000) yds / 1095 (1165, 1215, 1285, 1385) (1440, 1565, 1720, 1830) m
Needle Size: US 6 / 4.0 mm 32” / 81 cm circular needle and Magic Loop and / or DPN for sleeves, spare gauge needle for optional 3-needle BO. Use the needle size that allows you to meet gauge.

Size Information:
Size: 32.25 (36.5, 40.25, 44.5, 48.25) (52.5, 56.25, 60.75, 64.25)” / 82 (92.5, 102, 113, 122.5) (133.5, 143, 154.5, 163) cm finished chest garment circumference.
Intended to be worn with 4” /10 cm positive ease.

Recommend solid, tonal, or slightly tweedy yarn to best demonstrate cables’ texture.
Sweater is worked in the round from the hem upwards to armholes.
Back and front are worked flat from armholes to shoulder.
Sleeve stitches are picked up and knit in the round from shoulder to cuff.
Body of sweater features a ribbed hem, followed by Pine Cables (single, wide cable column), nestled between Fern Cables (combination of two columns of narrow cables twisting in opposite directions), with Stockinette along sides and Fern Cable pattern under arm.
Pattern repeats vary based on size; choose pattern section according to specific size.
Sleeves are worked in the round from dropped shoulder, without decreases for a full silhouette, and feature a center Fern Cable along the outside. Sleeves taper to a close fit just prior to the cuff, and end with a center Fern Cable and Right Twist pattern, then ribbing.