Tolkien describes Ithilien as “a fair country of climbing woods and swiftly falling streams.” I’ve tried to capture the essence of that place described so vividly by Tolkien—and can I just say that @malabrigoyarn Arroyo in Chircas was the perfect colorway for this sample? Spring greens mixed with earthy grays that invoke the imagery of a war-trampled Ithilien finally able to blossom and flourish once more.

Knitting Level: Intermediate, but don’t let the lace edging or ribbing at the hem scare you off! The pattern includes video tutorials throughout, and the lace instructions are charted, written, and include row by row video tutorials. Both regular and large print files will be available to download upon purchase.

This sweater is worked by knitting the back panel first, then placing it on hold. The shoulders are picked up and worked from the cast on edge of the back panel, first left, then right. When the right shoulder is the correct length, it is knit across, the neck front is cast on, and the left shoulder is knit across. Knitting continues back and forth for the remainder of the front panel. At the underarm, the sweater is joined in the round for the rest of the body.

The elbow length sleeves are picked up and worked from the top down using German Short Rows, which are repeated later on to shape the high-low elbow before attaching the optional leaf ruffle—a short 18 row repetition that can be knit at any time in the process. It is attached to the sleeves using the kitchener stitch, and to the neck using a simple pickup method. The hem is an easy four-row repetition that does not require cabling or slipping stitches. The hem pattern may also be used in place of the leaf edge for the sleeves to create three quarter length sleeves, and instructions are included.

Sizing:

Sizes: 3m (6m, 12m, 18m, 24m) (2, 4, 6, 8) (10, 12, 14, 16)

Note: Sizing should be chosen based on measurements, not age.

This pattern is designed to fit with zero ease in the upper body, and to quickly increase after being joined in the round to around 4” of positive ease before reducing at the hem to 1” (2.5cm) negative ease.

Full Size Chart Here

Gauge: 23 sts and 32 stockinette rows in 4” (10.2cm)
blocked, with larger needles.

Materials:
Yarn: 265 (310, 360, 390, 410) (455, 545, 640, 700) (780, 870, 970, 1020) yards or 255 (290, 335, 370, 385) (425, 505, 595, 650) (725, 805, 895, 940) meters of Malabrigo Arroyo, or other Sport Weight Yarn of around 335 yds (306m) to 3.5 oz (100g).

A note on yarn substitutions: for best results, choose a stretchy superwash yarn.

** Yardage reflects needs for pattern as written, these amounts will change if alterations are made.**

Suggested Needles:

US Size 3 (3.25 mm) and US Size 5 (3.75 mm) circular
knitting needles, or size needed for correct gauge.

The smaller size needles should be at least two sizes smaller than the largest needles needed for correct gauge.

Circular needle length should correspond to the chest measurement of your garment.

To knit the neck/sleeves: DPNs, 10” (25cm) circular needles, (or whatever length corresponds to your arm circumference), or the Magic Loop method using the same needle sizes listed above.

Notions:

Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Removable stitch markers
Sizes 3m-18m only: One button, approx. 1” 2.5cm in diameter.

If you get confused, feel free to email me your questions—no question is considered too “dumb”, and I’m happy to help!

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