The Leafhopper Sweater is a top down sweater covered in leafhoppers- from the yoke to the arms. It is framed by rows of corrugated ribbing, and has a deliciously boxy fit after blocking. This is an easily modifiable pattern- I knit a turtleneck, many of my testers knit a mock or a crew neck, and all are beautiful because nothing can take away from the main event: the BUGS!!! Kelbourne Woolen’s ‘Scout’ is the perfect rustic yarn for this sweater, and I highly recommend it.

I am an entomologist with a deep love for leafhoppers (Hemiptera; Auchenorrhyncha; Cicadellidae). In buying this pattern not only will you learn about leafhoppers, but $1 from your purchase will go towards the University of Arizona’s Entomology Collection, where it will be transformed into printed labels and rows upon rows of pinned specimens.

This pattern has been tested in the majority of sizes it was knit in, and fits sizes 1-9 according to measurements from The Crafty Yarn Council. Tech editing by Kylen Tennies, www.yarnovereverything.co

MATERIALS
Yarn
Kelbourne Woolens Scout
274 yards (250 meters) / 100 gram skein
mc (background): Kelbourne Woolens ‘Scout’ in Moss Heather
cc (hoppers): Kelbourne Woolens ‘Scout’ in Natural

Needles
Ribbing: US 3 3.25 mm, 16”
Main: US 4 3.5 mm, 2x16” and 24-32”

or whatever brings you to gauge! I knit very loose and often need to size down quite a bit

Gauge
Colorwork US 43.5mm: 26 stitches and 30 rows = 4” 10cm
Stockinette US 43.5mm: 26 stitches and 30 rows = 4” 10cm
Ribbing US 33.25mm: 27 stitches and 30 rows = 4” 10cm

Notions
Stitch marker, tapestry needle, stitch holders

Yardage
MC: 1044, (1194, 1357, 1490, 1644, 1794), {1944, 2094, 2244} yards
955, (1092, 1240, 1363, 1504, 1640), {1778, 1909, 2052} meters
Skeins: 4, (5, 5, 6, 6, 7), {8, 8, 9}
CC: 400, (437, 474, 511, 548, 585), {622, 660, 700} yards
366, (400, 434, 468, 501, 535), {567, 604, 650} meters
Skeins: 2, (2, 2, 2, 3, 3), {3, 3, 3}

Sizing

The sweater is designed to fit with around 1-5” 2.5-12cm of positive ease.
Sizes: 1, (2, 3, 4, 5, 6), {7, 8, 9}
Finished Chest Circumference: 34, (37.5, 44, 48, 51, 53.5), {57, 62, 68.5}
These sizes correspond to measurements for the Crafty Yarn Council’s XS, (S, M, L, XL, 2XL), {3XL, 4XL, 5XL}, although there is variation in the fit.