New beginnings look different for us all. I love thinking about the buds beginning to pop out on the trees in the spring, or the promise of new knowledge, new opportunities with the start of school in the autumn. Flora is designed with this in mind, the collegiate stripes stand out strong against the background of spring time buds
Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9)
Finished bust circumference: 35 (39.5, 44.5, 47, 51.5) (56.5, 59, 63.5, 68)“ 87 (99, 111, 117, 129) (141, 147, 159, 171) cm with 3-5” 7.5-12.5 cm 6-8” positive ease recommended, shown in size 2 with 6” 15 cm positive ease.
Yarn MC: DK Weight Flora Adora Fibers BFL DK “Light Walnut” 246 yds / 100 g / 100% BFL Non Superwash 674 (763, 856, 912, 1025) (1179, 1304, 1474, 1643) yds, 616 (698, 783, 834, 937) (1078, 1192, 1348, 1502) m
Yarn CC1: DK Weight Flora Adora Fibers Highland DK, “Pink from Chocolate Cherry” 230 yds / 100 g / 100% BFL Non Superwash
84 (96, 107, 114, 128) (147, 163, 184, 205) yds, 77 (88, 98, 104, 117) (135, 149, 169, 188) m
Yarn CC2: DK Weight Flora Adora Fibers Highland DK, “Brown from Chocolate Cherry” 230 yds / 100 g / 100% BFL Non Superwash
84 (96, 107, 114, 128) (147, 163, 184, 205) yds, 77 (88, 98, 104, 117) (135, 149, 169, 188) m

Needles: U.S. Size 7 (4.5 mm) or size needed to achieve gauge, and U.S. Size 5 (3.75 mm) 16” and 32” circular recommended with DPN’s for the sleeves/cuffs if not using Magic Loop or shorty needles.
Gauge: 20 Stitches and 32 Rows = 4” (10cm) Blocked in the dots stitch pattern (or stockinette) in the larger needle size. I would recommend in your last few rows of the swatch, testing out the vikkel braid with both the larger and smaller needles to find which size works best for you, I used the larger needles but many of my testers used the smaller which made their braids lie flatter.
Notions: 6 Stitch markers, waste yarn or stitch holders, tapestry needle, and a crochet hook that coordinates with your larger needle size.

Flora is worked bottom up in the round with the vertical stripes planned in after the hem as ribbing, with the contrast colors of choice added later with a crochet hook. The sweater is split into front and back and worked flat at the armholes up to the shoulders, the front neck is shaped with bound off stitches and shoulders are sloped using short rows. Shoulders are joined using a 3 needle bind off. Sleeves are picked up and worked in the round to the cuffs and cuffs are bound off in 2x2 ribbed sewn BO. Collar is picked up around the neckline and bound off in 2x2 ribbed sewn bind off.

Techniques: Vikkel Braid and Crochet Stripes (videos provided)