New and improved Birkin! I have reworked this pattern to include expanded sizes, an improved yoke fit and a schematic. I hope you love it as much as I do!

Birkin was originally designed for Laine magazine and appears in issue 2. I was inspired by springtime in Scandinavia, and an image I saw of a young Jane Birkin wearing a crown of wildflowers. I just love the idea of a floral crown worn around the yoke of the sweater.

The sweater is knit seamlessly in the round from the top down and the body is gently shaped into an A-line by changing needle sizes. The yoke design features a border of a delicate leaf pattern, which encases a 3-color floral motif and optional bobbles to provide subtle textural interest. The sweater has 3/4 length sleeves and a dropped back hem for a modern look. The pattern can also be knit in only 2 colors as shown in the brown version.

Shown in size 3. Recommended ease: 1–5” [2.5–13 cm] of positive ease.

MATERIALS
Yarn:
Multicolor yoke version:
LOFT by Brooklyn Tweed (100% Wyoming-grown Targhee-Columbia wool, 275 yds [251 m] ‒ 50 g) or other fingering weight yarn.

MC: Fossil (oatmeal)
CC1: Tent (green)
CC2: Camper (pink)
CC3: Bale (yellow)
CC4: Flannel (blue)

2-color version:
Shetland by Harrisville Designs (100% virgin wool, 217 yds [198.5 m] ‒ 50 g) or other fingering weight yarn.

MC: Walnut
CC: Oatmeal

Needles:
Main gauge needles: US 3 [3.25 mm]
Ribbing (at neck and sleeves): US 2 [2.75 mm]
Body shaping needles 1: US 4 [3.5 mm]
Body shaping needles 2: US 5 [3.75 mm]
Notions: Stitch Markers, scrap yarn or stitch holders

GAUGE
26 sts and 40 rows = 4 inches [10 cm] in single color st st on main gauge needles.

26 sts and 40 rows = 4 inches [10 cm] in colorwork pattern with main gauge needles.

Note- You should always knit your swatch the same way that the pattern is knit—in this case, in the round. Block your swatch as you will your finished garment and allow it to dry fully before measuring. You may find that you need to change needle sizes when knitting colorwork to maintain the required gauge.

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) {7, 8, 9, 10}
Shown in size 3. Recommended ease: 1‒5” [2.5‒12.5 cm] of positive ease at the bust and 1-2” [2.5-5 cm] of positive ease at the sleeve. See schematic included in pattern for full fit details.

Finished Bust: 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52) {56, 60, 64, 68}”
[81.5 (91.5, 101.5, 112, 122, 132) {142.25, 152.5, 162.5, 172.75} cm]

Yardage:
 Please note that yardage is estimated, and can vary between knitters.
Multi-color version
MC (natural): 990 (1114, 1237, 1361, 1485, 1609) {1732, 1856, 1980, 2103} yards [905 (1018, 1131, 1244, 1357, 1470) {1584, 1696, 1809, 1923} meters]

C1 (green): 48 (54, 60, 66, 72,78) {84, 90, 96, 102} yards [44 (50, 55, 61, 66, 72) {77, 83, 88, 94} meters]

C2 (pink): 56 (63, 70, 77, 84, 91) {98, 105, 112, 119} yards [52 (58, 64, 71, 77, 84) {90, 96, 103, 109} meters]

C3 (yellow): 60 (67, 74, 82, 89, 97) {104, 111, 119, 126} yards [55 (61, 68, 75, 82, 88) {95, 102, 109, 115} meters]

C4 (blue): 22 (25, 27, 30, 33, 36) {38, 41, 44, 46} yards [20, 23, 25, 28, 30, 33) {35, 37, 40, 42} meters]

2 color version:
MC (natural): 990 (1114, 1237, 1361, 1485, 1609) {1732, 1856, 1980, 2103} yards [905 (1018, 1131, 1244, 1357, 1470) {1584, 1696, 1809, 1923} meters]

CC: 209 (235, 261, 288, 314, 340) {366, 392, 416, 444} yards [191, 215, 239, 263, 287, 309) {334, 358, 381, 406} meters]

Note!
The Birkin sweater is knit seamlessly in the round from the top down. The body is gently shaped into an a-line by changing needle sizes. The yoke design features optional bobbles to provide a subtle textural interest.