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Reluctant Homeschooler is a chunky, cozy cardigan knit from the bottom up. You begin by knitting the sleeves in the round, then work the body flat from the bottom up, followed by joining the sleeves and working raglan and shaping details. Lastly you will pick up and knit the front band, make and attach patch pockets and buttons.

This design is intended to be worn with 8-12” 20.5-30.5 cm of positive ease, depending on your personal preference. The sample pictured is a size 3, worn with 11” 28 cm of positive ease. You will find full fit details in the included schematic.

You may want to begin by knitting the pockets, as they can serve as your swatch! I used bulky yarn for both samples, but you can try holding different weights together (Aran + lace or mohair) to create a similar fabric.

I designed this sweater as a comforting, gratifying project to work on while I reluctantly (but gratefully!) homeschool my 3 boys during school shut downs. 2020 has brought many challenges to our lives, and I was in the mood for my knitting to not be one of them! You don’t have to be a reluctant homeschooler to knit this sweater, it is for everyone! I love mine so much that I had to have 2, and I am contemplating a 3rd!

The cream speckled version is knit in The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers Squish Bulky, in the color Sam Elliot. Check out their yarn here!

The multicolored version is knit in Kim Dyes Yarn Souffle Bulky in Mushroom Hunting, photos by Kim Russo. Check out their yarn here! (more pictures coming soon- my sample in Scream Inside Your Heart is currently lost in the mail!)

MATERIALS:
Yarn
Sample A (cream speckles)
The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers Squish Bulky in Sam Elliot 100% SW Merino
106 yards 97 m, 100g

Sample B (multicolored)
Kim Dyes Yarn
Souffle Bulky in Mushroom Hunting 80/20% SW Merino/nylon
76 yards 69.5 m, 100g

Needles
Ribbing: US 9/ 5.5 mm
Main: US 11/ 8 mm
Gauge
12 sts and 16 rows over 4” 10 cm in stockinette on main needles, after blocking

Sizes: 1(2,3,4,5,6){7,8,9,10}
39.5 (43.5, 47.5, 51.5, 55.5, 59.5) {63.5, 67.5, 71.5, 75.5}”
100.5 (110.5, 120.5, 131, 141, 151) {161.5, 171.5, 181.5, 192} cm

Yardage: Note that yardage is estimated and may vary depending on yarn used, gauge variations or modifications.
770 (854, 927, 1006, 1086, 1159) {1242, 1317, 1391, 1484} yards
704 (780, 848, 919, 993, 1059) {1136, 1204, 1271, 1356} meters