Pick what you pay! To make my patterns accessible to all, I am adopting the pay what works model. The base price (no code) is the amount that accurately represents the work that has gone into the making of this pattern. Below are discount codes for prices that work best for your budget.

No code - $12.00

DKT1 - $9.50

DKT2 - $7.00

Pattern pricing is based on amount of information provided in the PDF. Scroll down for what’s included in this pattern.

“It looks like chainmail… but for elves!” That’s what my husband said when I showed him the first prototype. And that’s how this sweater got its name.

Elfmail is a fitted, semi-cropped raglan using broken seed stitch pattern and slipped raglan “seams”. It’s worked seamlessly from the top down. Long sleeve version is “bracelet length”.

Elfmail makes good use of any varigated or speckled yarn that’s been sitting in your stash (or that colorful yarn you’d love to buy but were never sure what to do with it). Pair it with a matching, yet contrasting tonal or solid as your main color. Contrast is key for this design!

Sizes:
XS (S, M, L, XL)(2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL, 6XL)
Finished chest size: 30(34, 38, 42, 46)(50, 54, 58, 62, 66)“ / 76 (86.5, 96.5, 106.5, 117)127, 137, 147.5, 157.5, 167.5 cm
Choose a size that will give you -2 - 2” / -5 - 5cm of positive ease. The seed stitch gives it lots of stretch!

Samples shown are size S on a 33” bust.

Gauge
24 sts & 36 rows over 4” / 10cm in broken seed stitch with larger needles after blocking. As with most top-down raglans, row gauge is important for getting an accurate armhole depth!

Yardage:
Short sleeve
MC - 308 (359, 409, 464, 517)(579, 644, 714, 795, 869) yds / 282 (328, 374, 424, 472)(529, 589, 653, 727, 797) m
CC - 278 (324, 370, 417, 463)(523, 579, 644, 718, 782) yds / 254 (296, 337, 382, 425)(476, 530, 588, 654, 716) m

Long Sleeve
MC - 458 (513, 580, 657, 718)(800, 878, 974, 1068, 1170) yds / 418 (469, 530, 600, 656)(731, 803, 891, 977, 1070) m.
CC - 356 (399, 451, 511, 559)(622, 683, 758, 831, 911) yds / 325 (364, 413, 467, 511)(569, 625, 693, 760, 832) m

Note: Short sleeve sample is shown with a longer, average-length body. If cropped is not your thing, I recommend adding another 10-20% yardage based on your size and how much length you’d like to add.

Suggested yarn:
Two fingering weight yarns: I recommend one solid/semi-solid with one variegated/speckled in colors that contrast, yet compliment each other. This design needs yarn with stretch so I recommend sticking to wool-based blends like sock yarn.

Yarn used in samples:
Short sleeve
MC - Swift Yarns - Bliss Sock (100g/400 yds) in Careless Whisper - 1 (1, 2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2, 3, 3) skeins
CC - Yarn Over New York - Times Square (100g/463 yds) in Dusk Rainbow - 1 (1, 1, 1, 1)(2, 2, 2, 2, 2) skeins

Long sleeve
MC - Swift Yarns - Bliss Sock (100g/400 yds) in Tumbleweed - 2 (2, 2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 3, 3, 3) skeins
CC - Swift Yarns High Street (438yds/100g) in Piper - 1 (1, 2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2, 3, 3) skeins

Budget yarn options:
Knit Picks Palette (231yds/50g)
Knit Picks Stroll (462yds/100g)
Knit Picks Hawthorne Fingering (357yds/100g)
Knit Picks Muse Fingering (423yds/100g)

Techniques used:
Knitting in the round, increasing, decreasing, short rows, alternating colors, reading your knitting

Included in the pattern:

• an info page on broken seed stitch pattern including charts and how to maintain pattern while increasing
• an info page on what I call the “fiddly bits” of the pattern which include photos to help you through the sticky parts
• an info page on understanding the short row placement for neck shaping and how to adapt for German short rows including links to video tutorials
• measurement schematic and glossary of terms used in the written pattern

Share your projects on Instagram with the hashtag #elfmailsweater and be sure to tag me @daniknitsthings!