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LLF Pullover
{Long Lost Friend}

Sometime in my late teens I purchased a striped sweater, which then became my favourite garment for the next two decades.
It was a classic crewneck pullover with set-in sleeves that went with nearly everything I owned and fitted me so comfortably I practically lived in it. The sweater survived several cross-continental moves, two career-changes, a marriage, a divorce, a re- marriage, and countless other life dramas and traumas, remaining my constant companion through it all. One morning several years ago I looked for my striped sweater and realised it was missing. To this day I still cannot find it, and mourn it in a way that feels excessive for a mere garment. But I know there is a symbolism in this loss; that what I truly miss are the events and people of which the sweater reminded me.

The LLF is not so much an attempt to recreate an old sweater, as an ode to its memory. It is about comfort, endurance, simplicity, and starting over. You can knit this design as a classic two-colour striped pullover. Or, if you would like to commemorate something or someone from your past, consider knitting one randomly placed stripe in a separate colour. Only you will know who or what this stripe represents.
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MATERIALS & INFORMATION

SIZE 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
measures as follows around chest circumference:
86.5cm/ 34.5” (93.5cm/ 37.5”, 100cm/ 40”, 109cm/ 43.5”, 115.5cm/ 46.25”, 122cm/ 48.75”, 129cm/ 51.5”, 138cm/ 55.25”, 146.5cm/ 58.5”, 155.5cm/ 62.25”)
Note: This pattern includes a schematic with detailed measurements.
Instructions for working half-sizes are included in the pattern.

GAUGE
18 sts x 24 rounds = 10cm/4” x 10cm/ 4”
in stockinette for main fabric

YARN
suitable for DK to Aran weight yarns,
approximately 160-200m/ 175/220y per 100g/ 3.5oz
project requires approximately the following quantities:
C1: 200 (225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 400)g
or 2 (3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4) 100g skeins
C2: 300 (325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 500, 525, 550)g
or 3 (4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6) 100g skeins
C3 (optional for commemorative stripe): less than 5g

Note that the above-stated quantities assume standard spun yarn. If working with unspun yarn, approximately 50g less is needed of each C1 and C2.

NEEDLES
circular needle, 4.5mm (US 7) in diameter,
or as needed to meet gauge for main fabric

NOTIONS
removable stitch markers, measuring tape, scrap yarn, tapestry needle

SPECIAL TECHNIQUES
provisional cast-on,
optional: basic hand-stitching for fold-over neckband option

CONSTRUCTION
This pullover is worked seamlessly, from the top down, with contiguous shoulder shaping. Neckline sts are picked up at the end and the Neckband is worked bottom-up. Note: There are no short rows in this pattern, the Neckline is shaped the traditional way (worked flat with increases at start and end of row, then connected in the round after central stitches are cast on).

YARN SELECTION
Choosing a yarn toward the DK end of the weight range will result in a more airy, open fabric (a woollen spun yarn that can be worked above gauge is recommended if opting for this). Choosing a yarn toward the Aran end of the weight range will result in a denser, firmer fabric. Note that a fingering to sportweight yarn held double can likewise be used to achieve a DK-Aran weight equivalent.

SAMPLE INFO.
All samples shown here were made using Honer och Eir Nutidenool)1, held double. Samples are Size 4, worn with 15cm/ 6” of positive ease around the chest by Anna, and with zero positive ease around the chest by Kerry (last 2 photos; I will try to post more shortly!).