To celebrate Naturally’s release, I will be hosting the Back to Nature KAL, starting Friday, May 15! I hope you will cast on with us as we celebrate all the outdoorsy things — any of my nature-inspired designs will qualify.

To kick off the KAL, ALL of my leafy patterns (including Naturally) are 50% off through Friday, May 15 — no coupon needed. To see all of the sale patterns, visit the bundle here. This is the first of several sales for the KAL, so please stay tuned!

Celebrate the outdoors with this cozy top-down V-neck. The lace leaves framing the neckline are knitted as you go, and you can choose whether or not to add sleeves when the body is complete.

Naturally is worked seamlessly from the top down, with short rows shaping the shoulders. The back is worked flat to the bottom of the armholes, then stitches are then picked up along each shoulder to create the right and left fronts. These sections include neckline increases to shape the V-neck, along with a leafy lace edge that grows as you knit. Along each armhole edge, a narrow lace column provides a pretty finish.

When the front pieces reach armhole depth, they are joined to the back. The piece is knitted flat until the neckline shaping is done; then the fronts are joined at the base of the V-neck. The rest of the body is worked in the round with lace columns continuing down the sides.

If you’d like to add sleeves, simply pick up stitches around the armholes and work downward — no seaming required. A decorative twisted ribbing at the hem and cuffs adds a special touch. Only the knit stitches are twisted, making it easy to work.

Knit Naturally in a soft DK-weight yarn for everyday wear, or hold fingering-weight yarn together with silk mohair for a delicate halo and luxurious feel.

Instructions are fully written with optional charts. A separate pdf is provided for each of the 8 sizes.

Finished Measurements

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
Bust Circumference: 37.75 (41, 44.25, 48.25, 52.25, 56.25, 60.25, 63.25)”/94.5 (102.5, 110.5, 120.5, 130.5, 140.5, 150.5, 158) cm
Recommended ease: 5-8”/12.5-20 cm. To achieve this fit, choose a size with a bust measurement that is 5-8”/12.5-20 cm larger than your own.
Shown in Size 2 with 7”/17.5 cm ease.
See Schematic Diagram in photos for additional measurements.

Gauge
20 stitches and 28 rows/rounds = 4”/10 cm square in stockinette stitch on US 6/4 mm needles.

Note: It is important to swatch both in the round and flat in order for the sweater to fit well. The yoke is mostly worked flat, while the body and sleeves are worked in the round.

Yarn

Option 1: Pullover
900 (1000, 1100, 1200, 1450, 1650, 1900, 2150) yd/823 (915, 1006, 1098, 1326, 1509, 1738, 1966) m each of
fingering-weight yarn AND silk-mohair yarn.

Option 2: Sleeveless Top
720 (800, 880, 960, 1160, 1320, 1520, 1720) yd/659 (732, 805, 878, 1061, 1207, 1390, 1573) m each of fingering-weight yarn AND silk-mohair yarn. For the shoulders to drape gracefully, yarn with some drape is recommended.

Please note that two strands of yarn (fingering plus silk mohair) are held together throughout.

If you wish to substitute yarn, a single strand of DK weight is recommended (sleeveless top shown in Miss Babs Killington in the Fogbound colorway).

Tools

• US 6/4 mm circular needle, 24”/60 cm or longer, or size to obtain gauge
• US 6/4 mm double-pointed needles or preferred method for knitting small circumferences in the round (for sleeves), or size to obtain gauge
• US 5/3.75 mm circular needle, 24”/60 cm or longer (for hem and for picking up stitches), or one size smaller than needle size used to obtain gauge
• US 5/3.75 mm double-pointed needles or preferred method for knitting small circumferences in the round (for cuffs), or one size smaller than needle size used to obtain gauge
• Cable needle (for joining the bottom of the V-neck)
• Removable markers
• Stitch holders or waste yarn
• Stitch markers, including 1 in a contrasting color to mark the beginning of the round
• Tapestry needle