“Maybe it’s like sadness or grief- nowhere to put it but in my pocket, warm, until it flies again.” -Debi Martin

Angel In My Pocket is a comforting sweater- soft, cozy, snuggly, and it has a special secret, meant to bring peace in times of sorrow, joy in times of emptiness… a whisper of love straight to your heart, just for you. There is a little pocket at the lower edge of the sweater, and inside is a reverse stockinette-stitch Angel (or heart, or butterfly, or pick your own symbol of peace and love; shown here in duplicate stitch to be visible for the pictures). No one will know it’s there except for you. When you feel the tears, the pain, the angst, slip your hand inside and know that there is still love in the world.

The sweet little girl was my daughter, Allison, the best thing that ever happened to me, and I miss her every day. She is the inspiration behind this sweater, and behind most of what I do, especially on the days when I have to remind myself that she would not want me to let the darkness win. It’s been ten long years, and I’m still an empty shell of who I once was… This design is a tribute to her, and to all those we have loved and lost.

Now let me wipe my tears and tell you about the yarn. Debi of Blue Skin Yarn has shared this luxurious fingering weight Baby Alpaca/Silk/Cashmere delightfulness with me, and I LOVE it. Treat yourself, knitters!

More about the sweater: it is knit top-down, in the round, in one piece. Short rows are used to shape the neck, and then raglan shaping is used to create the sweater. Finally, a small reverse-stockinette angel, heart, or butterfly is worked into the pattern, and then hidden behind a small pocket. Slipped stitches are worked under the arm on the body and sleeves for added details.

It is meant to be worn with a few inches of positive ease.

XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL) = 30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54)” finished bust circumference.
Yarn requirements: 1170 (1300, 1560, 1875, 2150, 2600, 3000) yards/ 1070 (1190, 1425, 1720, 1965, 2380, 2750) meters

This pattern has been test-knit and tech-edited.

A child’s version of this sweater is available, too!

The best part of being a designer is seeing my patterns on your needles, so please consider tagging me on Instagram @melissakdesigns and posting pictures on your Ravelry project page.