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INSPIRATION
The inspiration for this sweater came when I had the fortune of getting a close look at a Limpkin on the St. Johns River in Florida, near my home. These tropical wetland birds have a gorgeous gradation in their plumage from white to a deep, rich brown through radiating triangular shapes. They are well suited to blending in as they forage for their favorite food: apple snails.

DESCRIPTION
Limpkin is a circular yoke sweater with a classic, relaxed fit and two length options: cropped (shown) or full length. The bold stranded colorwork motif of the yoke is echoed in a small colorwork detail just above the cuffs. A folded collar is worked to give the garment an extra polished touch.

SIZES
This pattern is graded to 9 sizes, {A, B, C}D, E, F, G{H, I, J}, designed to fit a body with the upper chest measurement and full bust measurement shown in the schematic. This sweater is designed to be worn with 4” (10 cm) of positive ease at the bust.

TESTERS
To see this sweater on a range of body shapes and sizes, see this blog post. Their projects also allow you an opportunity to see the pattern in different yarns & colors as well!

YARN
Wool & Palette 100% U.S. Merino/Rambouillet Sport in coffee (MC) and white (CC) 312 yds (285 m) per 100 g

MC REQUIREMENTS (CROPPED):
g: {333, 374, 400}(445, 473, 511, 541){586, 619, 652}
yds: {1040, 1165, 1250}1390, 1475, 1595, 1690{1830, 1930, 2035}
m: {950, 1065, 1140}1270, 1350, 1455, 1540{1670, 1765, 1860}
skeins: {4, 4, 4}5, 5, 6, 6{6, 7, 7}

MC REQUIREMENTS (FULL LENGTH):
g: {362, 406, 435}483, 515, 556, 589{638, 673, 710}
yds: {1130, 1265, 1355}1505, 1605, 1735, 1840{1990, 2100, 2215}
m: {1030, 1155, 1240}1375, 1470, 1585, 1680{1820, 1920, 2025}
skeins: {4, 5, 5}5, 6, 6, 6{7, 7, 8}

CC REQUIREMENTS:
g: {49, 56, 62}72, 78, 85, 92{103, 110, 122}
yds: {155, 175, 195}225, 245, 265, 285{320, 345, 380}
m: {140, 160, 175}205, 220, 240, 260{295, 315, 350}
skeins: {1, 1, 1}1, 1, 1, 1{2, 2, 2}

NEEDLES
❖ SIZE A: US 5 (3.75 mm) for body
❖ SIZE B: US 3 (3.25 mm) for ribbing
In both sizes: circular needles of a length appropriate for the size you are knitting and preferred small circumference needles.

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
❖ Yarn needle
❖ Stitch marker for BOR
❖ Scrap yarn for putting sts on hold

GAUGE
22 sts x 32 rnds = 4” (10 cm) in stockinette, worked in the round on size A needles and blocked, both in stranded colorwork and worked in all one color.

CONSTRUCTION
This circular yoke sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down. The yoke is worked in a charted stranded colorwork pattern. German short rows are worked at the bottom of the yoke to raise the back. A small colorwork detail is included before the cuff on the sleeves. Finally, stitches are picked up around the neckline to work the folded collar. Working the collar this way adds structure that will help prevent the neckline stretching out over time.

TECHNIQUES USED
❖ Long-tail cast on
❖ Working in the round
❖ Stranded colorwork
❖ Reading charts
❖ German short rows
❖ Basic increases & decreases
❖ Backwards-loop cast on
❖ Picking up stitches
❖ Long-tail tubular bind off