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Inspired by all the forests of Middle Earth, go on a cable colorwork adventure with the Forests of Arda Cowl. Fully written instructions, a chart, alteration guides, and video tutorials are included in this pattern.

This pattern purchase includes the following files:
Forests of Arda Cardigan
Forests of Arda Cardigan Low Vision
Forests of Arda Pullover
Forests of Arda Pullover Low Vision

About the Low Vision Files: 22pt san serif font. No columns or italics. The chart on the low vision file has been enlarged for better visibility, which is also helpful for viewing the pattern via your phone.

Level: Advanced. Some of the more complex skills utilized: two color cables, short rows, knitting a traveling cable while keeping track of sleeve decreases, steeking, binding off a folded collar.

About the Forests of Arda Cardigan: This sweater is worked by casting on and knitting the back panel, which is placed on hold. The shoulders are picked up and shaped from the cast on edge of the back panel, first left, then right. The right shoulder is then knit across, the neck front is cast on, and the left shoulder is knit across. Knitting continues back and forth for the remainder of the front panel. At the underarm, the remainder of the body is worked in the round.

Sizes 4-10 join in the round at the finished upper bust circumference, and have bust increases after joining in the round that are worked until the finished full bust circumference is reached. These are easily modified to add more or less circumference, or for use across other sizes if needed. The body is knit straight before hip shaping begins at the waist. All shaping is optional, and can be customized using the Alteration Guide, which includes additional shaping options.

Approximately 9” (22.9cm) from the hem, cable colorwork is worked to create the forest motif, which ends below the hip. Sleeves are worked from the top down using German Short Rows.

Around the elbow, cables are worked in a manner similar to i-cord in the contrast color to create the look of bracers on the lower arm. Two balls of contrast color are used to avoid long floats. The cardigan is then blocked and steeked before picking up the neckline and creating a folded military collar. Applied i-cord is worked along the steeked edge, around the collar, and down the opposite steeked edge for the finishing touch. Applique leaves are created and sewn to the cardigan for embellishment and loop closures using slip stitch crochet or duplicate stitching.

About The Forests of Arda Pullover: This variation is constructed in the same manner as the cardigan, but without the steek and edging. Instead, a rolled collar is knit. As written, the pullover is shorter than the cardigan, but may be adjusted using the alteration guide.

Sizing: Both the cardigan and the pullover feature ten sizes to fit a 30” to 62” chest with 1-3” (2.5-7.6cm) of positive ease.

Cardigan Sizing Information

Pullover Sizing Information

Gauge:

Sweater Body: 18 sts and 26 stockinette rows in 4” (10.2cm) blocked, with worsted weight yarn on US 7 (4.5mm) needles.

Cable colorwork: 18 sts and 22 rounds over a 4 x 4 inch (10.2cm) area of the blocked and finished motif. Note: One repeat is 3.55” (9cm) wide.

Materials:

Cardigan Yarn: 1060 (1170, 1280, 1385) {1495, 1610, 1720} 1825, 1935, 2040 yards or 970 (1070, 1170, 1270) {1370, 1475, 1575} 1670, 1770, 1870 meters in desired Main Color, and 285 (310, 335, 360) {385, 410, 435} 455, 480, 505 yards or 265 (285, 305, 330) {350, 375, 395} 420, 440, 460 meters in desired Contrast Color.

Pullover Yarn: 750 (825, 905, 980) {1055, 1130, 1205} 1280, 1355, 1430 yards or 690 (760, 825, 895) {965, 1035, 1105} 1170, 1240, 1310 meters in desired Main Color, and 260 (280, 300, 325) {345, 365, 385} 410, 430, 450 or 240 (260, 275, 295) {315, 335, 355} 375, 395, 410 meters in desired Contrast Color.

** Yardage reflects needs for pattern as written. These amounts will change if alterations are made.**

Recommended yarn: De Rerum Natura Gilliatt, a rustic, non-superwash, worsted/aran woolen-spun merino. Though 270 yards (250 meters) in 100 grams brings to mind DK weight, the sample yarn knits up as a heavy worsted/aran. If you decide to substitute yarn, look for a stretchy wool yarn that has around 196yds/180m per 100g. Non-superwash is best for colorwork.

Suggested Needles:

Stockinette: US 7 (4.5mm) circular knitting needles, or size needed for correct gauge. You may find you need to size up one size to maintain gauge when switching from flat knitting, to knitting in the round.

Cable colorwork: US 8 (5.0mm) for Colorwork Rounds 1 and 34-49. Or size needed to maintain gauge. Some knitters may be able to maintain gauge without switching needles.

US 9 (5.5mm) for Colorwork Rounds 2-33. Or size needed to maintain gauge.

Accents: US 5 (3.75 mm) for curled edges and applique leaves.

Circular needle lengths should correspond to the chest, hip, and sleeve measurements of your garment. If there is a great difference between your upper bust, full bust, waist, or hips, plan to have lengths corresponding to each of these.

Notions:

Cable needle Color Catcher

Tapestry needle

Crochet Hook, Size 1/2.25mm (optional)

Stitch markers To avoid mistakes, I recommend using stitch markers to mark each repeat.

Buttons, 1” (2.5cm) minimum diameter

Steeking supplies. These will vary based on your preferred steeking method.

Use #foapullover or #foacardigan to share your work on social media. #tolkien #lordoftherings