Kitschy or subtle, the choice is yours with this festive pullover. Decorate your tree with beads and baubles like a Christmas tree, or leave it plain and natural. This reverse-stockinette pullover is knit mostly seamlessly, beginning with the upper back. The upper front is picked up and knit from the upper back cast-on edge, and the sweater is joined in the round when the underarms are cast on. At the same time, a stockinette tree motif is knit on the front using a combination of increases, decreases, and cables to shape it. The cropped body is knit with waist shaping hidden in stockinette panels at the sides and finished with stretchy ribbing. Stockinette sleeves are picked up around the armholes, shaped with short rows, and knit to a ¾ length. More stitches are picked up and knit around the neckline, and then the band is folded in half and seamed to form a funnel neck. For the best fit, choose a size with 1-4 in / 3-10 cm of negative ease through the bust.

The stitch pattern is presented as a chart only. Written instructions for the tree stitch pattern are not included.

Gauge in Reverse Stockinette
18 sts x 26 rows = 4 in x 4 in / 10 cm x 10 cm

Skills to Know
Knit, purl, cast on, bind off, increase, decrease, cable, seam, reading charts, picking up stitches, short rows, placing stitches on hold, removing stitches from holders, working in the round, working flat, matching gauge

Sizes
XS (S, M, L {1X, 2X, 3X} 4X, 5X, 6X)

Finished Chest
29 (33, 37, 41 {45, 49, 53} 57, 61, 65) in / 74 (84, 94, 104 {114, 124, 135} 145, 155, 165) cm

Suggested Ease
1-4 in / 3-10 cm of negative ease

Supplies
• US 8 / 5 mm circular needles with 16 in / 40 cm and 32 in / 80 cm cables and optional DPNs. • US 6 / 4 mm circular needles with 16 in / 40 cm cable. • 600 (660, 740, 810 {890, 960, 1040} 1120, 1190, 1270) yds / 550 (605, 680, 740 {815, 880, 950} 1025, 1090, 1165) m wool worsted weight yarn. • 4 markers labeled A, B, C, and D. • Stitch holders or scrap yarn. • Cable needle. • Yarn needle. • Optional beads, trim, and thread.**