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This pattern will be released on September 23, 2025.

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In the spirit of the Folk Rabbit Sweater, this design explores that same folksy, nature-inspired aesthetic through a new lens—the shadowy stillness of autumn. The colorwork blends bats, skulls, owls, and trailing vines in a way that feels more woodland witch than kitschy Halloween. Whether you wear it in October or all year long, I hope this project brings a little mystery and magic to your needles.

P.S. If you’re also a sock knitter, you might like the Folk Spells Socks!

NOTES
Design: The Folk Spells Sweater is a cozy, slightly relaxed-fit raglan pullover. The yoke and lower sleeves feature stranded colorwork, and the neckband, hem, and cuffs are worked in twisted ribbing. The neckband is folded for extra structure and polish. The sleeves feature classic tapered shaping.

Construction: This sweater is knit seamlessly from the top down in the round. Stitches are cast on at the top of the neckband, which is worked first. Short rows shape the back neck for a comfortable fit, and the yoke is worked in 2-color stranded colorwork. Invisible lifted increases shape the yoke. Once the yoke is complete, sleeve stitches are placed on hold while the body is knit. The sleeves are then returned to the needles and finished in the round.

Fit: This garment is designed to be worn with 2 to 8 in. (5 to 20 cm) of positive ease in the body. To choose the best size for you, measure your upper bust circumference and add your preferred ease of between 2 to 8 in. (5 to 20 cm). Select the size with a finished chest circumference closest to that number. If you are unfamiliar with choosing garment size based on your upper bust measurement, One Wild Designs has a great blog post about this.

Yarn: The yarn estimates provided in this pattern are approximations, calculated to allow for both a sizable swatch and the sweater, with a small margin of error. Your actual yarn usage may vary based on factors such as your personal gauge, the yarn’s characteristics (e.g., fiber content, ply, thickness), and any modifications you make to the pattern.

Stitch Patterns: The stranded colorwork stitch patterns in this sweater are only charted, so you should be confident in your chart reading skills—or be open to learning!

SIZES
(1, 2, 3)(4, 5, 6)(7, 8, 9)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Finished Chest Circumference
(34.5, 38.5, 42.75)(46.75, 50.75, 55)(59, 63.25, 67.25) in.
(86.5, 96.5, 107)(117, 127, 137.5)(147.5, 158, 168) cm

Finished Upper Arm Circumference
(12.25, 13.25, 14)(14.75, 16.5, 18)(19.25, 21, 22.5) in.
(30.5, 33, 35)(37, 41.5, 45)(48, 52.5, 56.5) cm

This sweater is designed to be worn 2 to 8 in.
(5 to 20 cm) of positive ease in the body. See the note above on fit for more information about choosing the right size for you!

YARN
The sample sweater shown in this pattern is knit with two strands of yarn held together to achieve a DK-weight fabric. Yarn requirements are given for both this method and for using a single strand of DK yarn. Keep in mind that MC yarn requirements will vary based on whether you choose cropped or full length!

Fingering + Lace (2 Strands Held Together)
* Fingering Weight
Cropped Length*
MC: (180, 205, 225)(250, 275, 305)(335, 365, 400) g/(885, 1010, 1105)(1230, 1355, 1500)(1650, 1795, 1970) yds or (810, 925, 1010)(1125, 1240, 1370)(1510, 1640, 1800) m
Full Length
MC: (195, 225, 245)(275, 300, 330)(365, 395, 430) g/(960, 1105, 1205)(1355, 1475, 1625)(1795, 1945, 2115) yds or (880, 1010, 1100)(1240, 1350, 1485)(1640, 1780, 1935) m
Cropped and Full Length
CC1: (25, 30, 35)(35, 40, 45)(50, 50, 55) g/(125, 150, 170)(170, 195, 220)(245, 245, 270) yds or (115, 135, 155)(155, 180, 200)(225, 225, 245) m
CC2: (15, 20, 20)(25, 25, 30)(30, 35, 35) g/(75, 100, 100)(125, 125, 150)(150, 170, 170) yds or (70, 90, 90)(115, 115, 135)(135, 155, 155) m

• Lace Weight Cropped Length* MC: (90, 105, 110)(125, 140, 150)(170, 180, 200) g/(885, 1010, 1105)(1230, 1355, 1500)(1650, 1795, 1970) yds or (810, 925, 1010)(1125, 1240, 1370)(1510, 1640, 1800) m Full Length MC: (100, 110, 120)(140, 150, 165)(180, 200, 215) g/(960, 1105, 1205)(1355, 1475, 1625)(1795, 1945, 2115) yds or (880, 1010, 1100)(1240, 1350, 1485)(1640, 1780, 1935) m Cropped and Full Length CC1: (15, 15, 15)(15, 20, 20)(25, 25, 25) g/(125, 150, 170)(170, 195, 220)(245, 245, 270) yds or (115, 135, 155)(155, 180, 200)(225, 225, 245) m CC2: (10, 10, 10)(15, 15, 15)(15, 15, 15) g/(75, 100, 100)(125, 125, 150)(150, 170, 170) yds or (70, 90, 90)(115, 115, 135)(135, 155, 155) m

-- or --

DK to Light Worsted Weight (Single Strand)
The totals below assume a yarn weight of 100 g/250 yds or 228 m.
Cropped Length
MC: (355, 405, 440)(490, 540, 600)(660, 720,
790) g/(885, 1010, 1105)(1230, 1355, 1500)(1650, 1795, 1970) yds or (810, 925, 1010)(1125, 1240, 1370)(1510, 1640, 1800) m
Full Length
MC: (385, 440, 480)(540, 590, 650)(720, 780, 845) g/(960, 1105, 1205)(1355, 1475, 1625)(1795, 1945, 2115) yds or (880, 1010, 1100)(1240, 1350, 1485)(1640, 1780, 1935) m
Cropped and Full Length
CC1: (50, 60, 70)(70, 80, 90)(100, 100, 110) g/
(125, 150, 170)(170, 195, 220)(245, 245, 270) yds or (115, 135, 155)(155, 180, 200)(225, 225, 245) m
CC2: (30, 40, 40)(50, 50, 60)(60, 70, 70) g/(75, 100, 100)(125, 125, 150)(150, 170, 170) yds or (70, 90, 90)(115, 115, 135)(135, 155,
155) m

SUGGESTED YARN
The totals listed below reflect yarn held double to achieve a DK-weight fabric.

Kaos Yarn Organic Soft Merino (50 g/(246 yds (225 m)) – 100% organic Merino

Cropped Length
MC: (4, 5, 5)(5, 6, 7)(7, 8, 9) skeins
Full Length
MC: (4, 5, 5)(6, 6, 7)(8, 8, 9) skeins
Cropped and Full Length
CC1: (1, 1, 1)(1, 1, 1)(1, 1, 2) skeins
CC2: 1 skein

Kaos Yarn Organic Brushed Alpaca (25 g/(246 yds
(225 m)) – 100% organic Alpaca

Cropped Length
MC: (4, 5, 5)(5, 6, 6)(7, 8, 8) skeins
Full Length
MC: (4, 5, 5)(6, 6, 7)(8, 8, 9) skeins
Cropped and Full Length
CC1: 1 skein
CC2: 1 skein

The sample sweater is knit in the colorways Mysterious (MC), Sparkling (CC1), and Natural (CC2).

NEEDLES
Needle A (body and sleeves): US 7 (4.5 mm)
Needle B (ribbing): US 5 (3.75 mm)

For each needle size, you will need circular needles measuring 24 in. (60 cm) to 50 in. (125 cm), depending on the finished chest circumference of your chosen size and your preferred method for smaller circumference knitting (such as magic loop, short circular needles, or double-pointed needles).

GAUGE
Measure gauge on Needle A in the round, after blocking.
19.5 sts and 28 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in stockinette
19.5 sts and 26 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in stranded colorwork

SKILLS TO USE (OR LEARN!)
German twisted cast-on, German short rows, stranded colorwork, chart reading, backwards loop cast-on, picking up stitches, tubular bind-off