DAY 4 of my Advent Calendar. Use the code HOLIDAY to enjoy 20% off.
Every day, I will reveal 1 or 2 patterns that will be discounted for 1 day only — until the next pattern is revealed (around midday, UK time). You will be able to find each pattern in the Advent Calendar bundle.

Combine a simple top-down construction, soft and squishy garter rib stitch and your favourite yarn, and make a sweater you will want to wear the whole winter. Big Softie is easy to customize: you can make it long or short, with a turtleneck or short neckband, with or without pockets, so it is exactly the way you want it.

The pattern is written for worsted weight yarn. You can also use DK yarn held together with lace or 2 strands of fingering yarn held together.

Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
Finished body circumference: 92 (96, 104, 112, 120, 128) (132, 140, 148, 152, 160, 168) cm/36.75 (38.5, 41.5, 44.75, 48, 51.25) (52.75, 56, 59.25, 60.75, 64, 67.25) in

The black sweater is size 3, shown with approx. 8 cm/3 in of positive ease at chest. The lilac sweater without pockets is size 6, shown with approx. 30 cm/12 in of positive ease; the version with pockets is size 6, shown with approx. 20 cm/8 in of positive ease.

Yarn
The pattern works with any of the following yarn options:

• worsted weight yarn (1 strand)
• DK and lace yarn held together
• 2 strands of fingering yarn held together

If you use 2 strands held together, you will need the yardage below for both strands of yarn.

For longer sweater with turtleneck: 1230 (1290, 1380, 1470, 1560, 1680) (1760, 1840, 1960, 2030, 2120, 2200) m/1355 (1420, 1520, 1620, 1720, 1850) (1940, 2025, 2160, 2235, 2335, 2420) yds

For longer sweater without turtleneck: 1065 (1125, 1210, 1300, 1385, 1500) (1570, 1650, 1765, 1825, 1915, 1995) m/1170 (1240, 1330, 1430, 1525, 1650) (1725, 1815, 1945, 2010, 2105, 2195) yds

For shorter sweater with turtleneck: 1130 (1190, 1280, 1360, 1440, 1550) (1630, 1700, 1820, 1880, 1960, 2030) m/1245 (1310, 1410, 1500, 1585, 1705) (1795, 1870, 2005, 2070, 2160, 2235) yds

For shorter sweater without turtleneck: 965 (1025, 1110, 1190, 1265, 1370) (1440, 1510, 1625, 1675, 1755, 1825) m/1060 (1130, 1220, 1310, 1395, 1510) (1585, 1660, 1790, 1845, 1930, 2010) yds

For pocket linings (optional): 90 m/100 yds of
fingering/sock yarn (wool or wool-polyester blend)

The black sweater was made with 2 strands of Drops Baby Merino held together (100% wool, 175 m/220 yds per 50 g, col. 21 Black). The lilac sweaters were made with Sublime Elodie DK (100% merino wool, 116 m/127 yds per 50 g, col. 603), held together with a strand of Malabrigo Silkpaca (70% Baby Alpaca, 30% Silk, 385 m/420 yds per 50 g, colourway: Cuarzo).

Gauge (blocked)
Stockinette stitch in main yarn: 20 sts and 28 rows/rnds = 10 cm/4 in, with medium needle(s)
Stockinette stitch in fingering yarn (used for pocket linings only): 24 sts and 34 rows = 10 cm/4 in, with smallest needles
Garter rib pattern: 20 sts and 30 rows/rnds = 10 cm/4 in, with medium needle(s)
1x1 rib pattern, unstretched (cuffs): 24 sts and 30 rnds = 10 cm/4 in, with smaller needle(s)
1x1 rib pattern, stretched (body ribbing and neck band): 20 sts and 32 rows/rnds = 10 cm/4 in, with smaller needle(s)

Needles and Notions
4.5 mm/US 7 circular needle, 80-120 cm/32-47 in long, or size to obtain gauge (medium needle)
4.5 mm/US 7 needle(s) in preferred style for knitting small circumferences, or size to obtain gauge (medium needles)
4 mm/US 6 circular needle, 80-120 cm/32-47 in long, or size to obtain gauge (smaller needle)
4 mm/US 6 needle(s) in preferred style for knitting small circumferences, or size to obtain gauge (smaller needles)
5 mm/US 8 circular needle, 60 cm/24 in long (larger needle, for turtleneck only)
3.5 mm/US 4 DPNs (smallest needles, for pocket lining sections in fingering yarn only)
removable stitch markers
scrap yarn or 2 short stitch holders

Skills Needed
Long tail and backward loop cast-ons, knit, purl, reading your own knitting to work in established rib pattern, picking up sts, increases, decreases, German short rows.