I love Winnie the Pooh. My favourite story is Winnie The Pooh and the Honey Tree. I especially love the 1977 animated special with the sweet little song;

‘I’m just a little black rain cloud,
hovering under the honey tree.
Yes, I’m just a little black rain cloud,
pay no attention to little me.’

This design is inspired by that little song but there’s more to it than that. It’s about finding the joy in colourful things, even when life feels a little grey; the splash of fun rubber boots in the rain or sheltering under an umbrella when there’s a downpour.
This sweater is knit top down, in the round, with yoke, hem and sleeve hems worked in stranded colourwork. I chose a delicate pale pink with a joyful shock of yellow but there are so many colour combinations that could be fun. A rainbow background with black umbrellas would be so cute.
There are no instructions for body shaping except W&T (optional) short rows after the collar to help lower the front of the collar. Model is wearing sweater with 5-inches (10cm) of positive ease.

This sweater can easily be adjusted to personal body length (this may affect yarn usage).

Finished Chest Circumference
21½ (24¾, 28½, 32) inches/ 43 (62, 71, 80) cm

This sweater is designed to fit with 2-5 inches (5-10 cm) positive ease.
The model in the photo is 6yrs old, wearing the third size with 5 inch (7.5cm) positive ease.

Needles and Notions
Collar and Ribs - US3 (3.25 mm) Circular needles in various lengths AND Dpns US3 (3.25 mm),, or size needed to obtain gauge
Yoke, Body and Sleeves - US4 (3.50 mm) Circular needles in various lengths AND Dpns US4 (3.50 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch/Place Markers
Stitch Holder or waste yarn
Tapestry Needle

Gauge
Over plain Stockinette stitch, 27 sts x 36 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm
Over stranded colourwork, 27 sts x 34 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm

This pattern has been tech edited by Sigrun Jones and tested by volunteers.