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DESCRIPTION

URSA is a bear of a sweater — chunky, bold, snuggly, fierce. With simple construction and interesting detailing, this cropped bulky weight pullover is a quick and enjoyable knit. The sweater is constructed from the top-down with raglan shaping for the sleeves and optional horizontal bust darts in 3 cup sizes. The pattern includes directions to try it on as you work and notations to help you tweak the size (including the length, if cropped isn’t your thing!) according to your preference. Also included in the pattern are links to custom video tutorials that will walk you through the techniques for half brioche stitch and German short rows.

→ Click here to download a free PDF with all the pattern details, including sizing information, yarn requirements, gauge and needles, and a full schematic.

→ Looking for a lighter weight (sported & worsted) version of this sweater? View Ursina here!

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SIZING

All my garment patterns are #sizeinclusive up to at least a 60” full bust circumference.

Sizes by finished bust circumference
In inches: (34, 38, 42) [46, 50, 54] {58, 62, 66} inches
In cm: (86.5, 96.5, 106.5) [117, 127, 137] {147.5, 157.5, 167.5} cm

To choose your size, measure the circumference around the fullest part of your bust, then add 2-6” (depending on how much ease you want) and choose the closest size. If you are between sizes, you can size up or down depending on whether you want more or less ease in the bicep (see full schematics illustration in the photos to the left).

In the photos, Jaq is wearing a 54” with E/F bust darts with 5” of ease in the bust and -1” of ease in the bicep.

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GAUGE, NEEDLES, NOTIONS

Gauge: 11.5 sts and 20 rows over 4” in blocked stockinette stitch
Recommended needles: one US 10.5 (6.5 mm) 32” (sizes 34-46) or 40” (sizes 50-66) circular; DPNs for sleeves if not using magic loop
Notions: stitch markers (including 3 contrasting options), stitch holders or scrap yarn, darning needle

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YARN

This sweater is designed for a bulky weight wool. The sample is knit in Echoview Fiber Mill’s Ranger Merino Bulky (100g/140yds per skein), a soft domestic Merino/Ramboiullet blend with a loose ply.

Yarn requirements in Ranger Merino Bulky: (4, 4, 4) [5, 5, 6] {6, 7, 7}
Yarn requirements by yardage: (450, 500, 550) [600, 675, 750] {825, 900, 950}
Yarn requirements by meter: (415, 460, 505) [550, 620, 690] {755, 825, 870}

Rust sweater: Echoview Fiber Mill’s Ranger Merino Bulky in Redtail
Off-white sweater: Quince & Co.’s Puffin in Audouin

Other suitable yarns:

$
Briggs & Little Atlantic
Knit Picks Simply Wool Bulky
Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky
Bendigo Woolen Mills Classic
Custom Woolen Mills Prairie Soft Spun

$$
Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky
Ístex Álafosslopi
Brown Sheep Lanaloft Bulky
Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Bulky
Schoolhouse Press Sheepswool

$$$
Brooklyn Tweed Quarry
Quince  Puffin
Malabrigo Chunky
Baa Ram Ewe Dovetone Natural Chunky
 
LINEN HACK:
I made a linen tee for the summer in Quince & Co. Kestrel using Ursa Minor — and it would work just as well for this pattern! The details are available here.

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VIDEO TUTORIALS
The following video tutorials were created for this pattern:

1. German short rows
2. HBS (half brioche stitch)

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SHARING

See pictures of other Ursa sweaters and share pictures of your own progress on Instagram with the hashtag #ursasweater. Be sure to tag @jaqcieslak so I can see too!