The Melon sweater is a top down, seamless garment knit in the round using a contiguous method. The all-over long slip stitch pattern gives a vibrancy and depth to the fabric that is enhanced by the i-cords running from the neckline to the cuffs, framing the silhouette for a striking and modern look. The resulting combination of textures and lines is reminiscent of melon skins, hence the name of the design. The color possibilities are endless: tonals, variegated, speckles, self-striping, mini skeins sets, leftovers, everything will work wonders as a contrast color peeking through a solid main color… Or the opposite!
The pattern includes optional short rows to raise the back neck and widen the back, as well as horizontal bust darts to ensure a great fit to all kinds of melons out there :)

The garment is designed to have a snug fit around the shoulders, which is why the sizing uses chest measurement (upper bust rather than full bust). Selecting a size based on your full bust will result in a baggy fit around the shoulders, and a neckline that is too wide for your frame, whereas negative ease at your full bust with a contoured fit around your shoulders will look awesome (see pictures ;). There is detailed guidance in the pattern on how to select a size depending on your body type, and how to modify it if needed.

To see different versions of the pattern knit in various yarns, sizes, fibers and colors, you can check out the testers version under the “Project” tab or the #MelonSweater on Instagram.

KEY FEATURES
Top down contiguous construction
Fitted ease
Textured pattern all over
I-cord detailing over the shoulders and along the sleeves + underarms
Folded-over stockinette edgings
Long or short sleeves option
Optional shaping at the back neck
Optional horizontal bust darts
Optional body shaping
Graded for female charts, but the pattern includes guidance for adapting to different body types

SIZES
1, 2, 3 (4, 5, 6) 7, 8, 9
NOTE: Sizes 8 and 9 haven’t been tested. If you wish to knit those sizes and you have the corresponding chest measurement, please contact me via e-mail: if you agree to do so, I will send you the pattern for free for testing.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Suggested ease: -4 to 4 cm / -1.5 to 1.5” of negative or positive ease at the chest. If you are between sizes, size up.

Chest circumference of the finished garment (full size chart and schematic available in the pattern pictures):
72.5, 83.5, 96.5 (106, 114, 124.5) 136.5, 147.5, 155.5 cm /
29, 33.5, 38.5 (42.5, 45.5, 49.75) 54.5, 59, 62.25”

To fit chest measurement (the chest is measured at the upper bust, not the full bust):
72.5, 83.5, 96.5 (106, 114, 124.5) 136.5, 147.5, 155.5 cm
29, 33.5, 38.5 (42.5, 45.5, 49.75) 54.5, 59, 62.25”

Long sleeves model: 165 cm / 5’5” tall, upper bust 85 cm / 33½” (bust 85 cm / 33½’’).
Short sleeves model: 169 cm / 5’6” tall, upper bust 85 cm / 33½” (bust 80 cm / 31½’’).
Both are wearing size 2 with the optional short rows at the back neck (adds 5 cm / 2.5” of chest circ.).

SUGGESTED YARNS
Long sleeves version: Earthy Sock by Explorer Knits and Fibers in colorways Butterfly Peaflower (MC) and In Bloom (CC) (100% NSW merino wool, 2 ply, 400 meters / 436 yards per 100g)

Short sleeves version: same yarn in colorways Muckross (MC) and Earth (CC).

YARN REQUIREMENTS
A buffer for swatching purposes and optional horizontal bust darts is already accounted for. Most skeins of the suggested yarn are >100g (between 105 and 110g), however it cannot be guaranteed.
The optional back neck short rows modification will require an additional 10g of MC and 7g of CC.

Long sleeves version, Main Color:
850, 920, 1010 (1120, 1220, 1320) 1440, 1510, 1600 meters
930, 1010, 1110 (1220, 1340, 1440) 1570, 1650, 1750 yards
215, 230, 255 (280, 305, 330) 360, 380, 400 g

Long sleeves version, Contrast Color:
550, 600, 660 (730, 790, 850) 930, 980, 1040 meters
600, 650, 720 (790, 870, 930) 1020, 1070, 1130 yards
140, 150, 165 (180, 200, 215) 230, 245, 260 g

Short sleeves version, Main Color:
560, 620, 700 (780, 860, 930) 1030, 1090, 1170 meters
620, 680, 760 (850, 940, 1020) 1130, 1190, 1270 yards
140, 155, 175 (195, 215, 235) 260, 275, 290 g

Short sleeves version, Contrast Color:
370, 400, 450 (500, 560, 600) 670, 710, 760 meters
400, 440, 490 (550, 610, 660) 730, 770, 830 yards
90, 100, 115 (125, 140, 150) 170, 175, 190 g

GAUGE
30 sts by 56 rounds over a 10x10 cm / 4x4” square in the long slip stitch pattern in the round and wet blocked.

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS
Texture needles: 4 mm / US 6 circular needles or size needed to obtain gauge, in various lengths.
Stockinette needles: 2.75 mm / US 2 circular needles, in various lengths.

Notions: stitch markers, scissors, 1 unique marker, darning needle, measuring tape, waste yarn/stitch holders, sewing needle, sewing thread.

SKILLS

• Knitting flat and in the round
• Slipping stitches
• Increasing/decreasing
• German short rows (optional)
• Long tail cast on
• Knitting an i-cord
• Picking up stitches
• Binding off
• Hand sewing for the folded over hems

Photo credit: @alexialinn__ on Instragram
Model: @ici_annajuraskova on Instagram