Originally published in Clotheshorse Magazine, Fireside is newly available as an individual pattern download on Ravelry, with an expanded size range to 64” bust.

A woolly mantle knit as a simple rectangle with sleeves, Loops at the Fireside features seamless construction in light-as-air alpaca blend yarn. The textured top edge is worked in a dimensional, garter-based loop stitch, and becomes the collar of the sweater; the body is a canvas of pure stockinette stitch with purl ridge details along the fronts, hem, and sleeve cuffs. Together, the comforting shape and modern bulky yet featherweight yarn come together in a new-fashioned garment to wear both at home by the fireside and out into the chill.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, decreasing, picking up stitches.

Size: 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64)” bust; shown in third size worn with no ease. The sizing of this blanket sweater is designed to be as flexible as possible; the open front ensures that any shape and size can find a good fit within the wide range, depending on amount of ease desired. As a starting point, choose a size with 0-2” ease at your cross-back, and size up from there for a more generous fit.

Yarn: Blue Sky Fibers TECHNO (68% baby alpaca, 22% silk, 10% extrafine merino; 120 yards/110m/50g); 10 (11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30) skeins, shown in #1970 Fame.

Other Materials: US 10.5 (6.5mm) 60” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch marker; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 12 st and 20 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; 12 st and 10 rows/4” in Garter Loop stitch, after gentle blocking.

Thank you to Clotheshorse magazine for the editorial and technical collaboration!