I designed Kindred with Mary Oliver’s poem, When I Am Among the Trees, in mind. What would I want to wear while wandering through a sun-dappled forest, journal and pen in hand, as Mary Oliver herself often did? What designs and textures could I incorporate that would remind me that—like the rustling leaves on a clear autumn day—I too am filled with light? This sweater is what emerged.

NOTES
Design: Kindred is a short-sleeved colorwork pullover with a slightly cropped, boxy fit. The yoke and hem feature stranded colorwork, and a textured stitch adds depth and interest to the body. The neckband, hem, and cuffs are worked in twisted rib.

Construction: This sweater is knit from the top down in the round. Stitches are cast on at the top of the neckband, which is worked first. Short rows create back neck shaping, and the yoke is knit in two-color stranded colorwork. Once the yoke is complete, sleeve stitches are put on hold, and the lower body is worked in an easy-to-memorize textured stitch pattern. A band of colorwork accents the hem. Stitches are then returned to the needles to complete the sleeves.

Fit: This garment is designed to fit with 2 to 6 in. (5 to 15 cm) of positive ease at the bust. To pick the best size for you, measure your full bust circumference and add your preferred ease of between 2 to 6 in. (5 to 15 cm). Make the size with a finished bust circumference closest to that number.

Length: Kindred is intended to hit at the top of the hip—just a bit longer than a standard crop length so that you can comfortably move your arms without showing skin. Because every body is different, this length will vary based on your torso length. In this pattern, you will find yarn estimates and instructions for two crop lengths: a short crop and a long crop. See the pattern Schematic for finished measurements of each crop length to help you decide which is right for you.

Stitch Patterns: The stranded colorwork stitch patterns in this sweater are only charted, so you should be confident in your chart reading skills—or be open to learning!

SIZES
(1, 2, 3)(4, 5, 6)(7, 8, 9)

FINISHED BUST CIRCUMFERENCE
(32.75, 37, 41.5)(45.75, 50.25, 54.5)(59, 63.25, 65.5) in.
(82, 92.5, 104)(114.5, 125.5, 136.5)(147.5, 158, 164) cm
This sweater is intended to be worn with 2 to 6 in. (5 to 15 cm) of positive ease.

YARN
DK weight
Short Crop Length
MC: (166, 191, 218)(237, 263, 292)(319, 350, 372) g/(407, 468, 535)(581, 645, 716)(782, 858, 912) yds or (373, 428, 490)(532, 590, 655)(716, 785, 834) m
CC: (124, 141, 159)(173, 191, 210)(229, 249, 263) g/(304, 346, 390)(424, 468, 515)(562, 611, 645) yds or (278, 317, 357)(388, 428, 471)(514, 559, 590) m
Long Crop Length
MC: (209, 239, 271)(297, 329, 363)(395, 432, 457) g/(513, 586, 664)(728, 807, 890)(968, 1059, 1120) yds or (470, 536, 608)(666, 738, 814)(886, 969, 1025) m
CC: (124, 141, 159)(173, 191, 210)(229, 249, 263) g/(304, 346, 390)(424, 468, 515)(562, 611, 645) yds or (278, 317, 357)(388, 428, 471)(514, 559, 590) m

SUGGESTED YARN
Six and Seven Fiber Soybean (100 g/245 yds (224 m)) – 100% non-superwash merino wool
Short Crop Length
MC: (2, 2, 3)(3, 3, 3)(4, 4, 4) skeins
CC: (2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 3)(3, 3, 3) skeins
Long Crop Length
MC: (2, 3, 3)(3, 4, 4)(4, 5, 5) skeins
CC: (2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 3)(3, 3, 3) skeins
The sample garment is knit in the colorways Au Lait (MC) and Friends in Autumn (CC).

NEEDLES
Needle A (body and sleeves): US 6 (4 mm)
Needle B (ribbing): US 4 (3.5 mm)
For each needle size, you will need 24 in. (60 cm) to 50 in. (125 cm) circular needles and your preferred needles for small circumference knitting.

GAUGE
Measure gauge in the round on larger needles, after blocking.
22 sts and 30 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in stockinette
22 sts and 26 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in stranded colorwork

SKILLS TO USE (OR LEARN!)
Alternating cable cast-on, German short rows, knit increases and decreases, stranded colorwork, backwards loop cast on, knitting and purling multiple times into the same stitch, chart reading, tubular bind-off