Inspired by songs that were sung by Dad and by Grandma, this design gently nudges the heart to be grateful during challenging times. Songs may age; thankfulness is timeless.

“If you’re worried and you can’t sleep,
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings.” ~Irving Berlin

“When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed. When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”
~Johnson Oatman, Jr.

Thoughts expressed in these motifs:
billows, tempest tossed, worried – wave
count – tally marks
blessings – honeycomb
one by one – l X l
the Lord – cross
fall asleep – ZZZ

This pattern has been tech edited by the amazing Sarah Walworth. Thanks, Sarah!

Special thanks also to my skilled test knitters, including Rosie, Kym, Anne-Marit, Rebecca, and Ann.

Sizes listed are the finished sweater measurements, designed to be worn with 2 - 8” 5 - 20.5 cm positive ease.

Sizes:
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9)
Finished Bust Circumference:
32 (36, 40, 44, 48) (52, 56, 60, 64)”
81.5 (91.5, 101.5, 112, 122) (132, 142, 152.5, 162.5) cm

Gauge:
22 sts and 29 rounds = 4” 10 cm in single color stockinette stitch in the round on larger needle after blocking.
22 sts and 25 rounds = 4” 10 cm in stranded colorwork in the round on larger needles after blocking.

Use a DK Weight 100% wool 160 yds 147 m per 50g (For the red sample, I dyed and used yarn from my deep stash.) Choose 100% wool or a wool blend that has good memory and a slight tooth so it performs well in stranded colorwork. Wool blocks nicely so the garment will be smooth at the increases. The fabric achieved at this gauge is neither stiff nor loose.

Yarn Amounts Needed:
Main Color: Approximately 921 (1026, 1130, 1263, 1375) (1534, 1654, 1787, 1895) yds
843 (939, 1034, 1155, 1258) (1403, 1513, 1634, 1733) m
Contrast Color: Approximately 120 (135, 146, 167, 181) (200, 217, 231, 247) yds
110 (124, 134, 153, 165) (183, 200, 213, 226) m

Notions:
Stitch holders or waste yarn, stitch markers, tapestry needle, blocking tools

Blessing is worked seamlessly from the top down, beginning with the neck ribbing. Then short rows are added to raise the back neck before working the stranded colorwork yoke. At the separation round, the sleeve stitches are placed on hold and then the body is worked down to the ribbed hem. Finally, sleeves are worked from the top down to the ribbed cuffs.

Techniques to enjoy include: knit, purl, ribbing, cast on, bind off, stranded colorwork, German short rows (instructions included), make one left, make one right, knit two together, and knitting in the round.

Note: Grey and red sample garments were tweaked slightly to improve the pattern. Therefore the “upside-down V” motif second from the top will not appear on sizes 1-5, but only on sizes 6-9. Fit and yoke length do remain the same as in the photos.