For those golden, beautiful skeins that are too perfect for socks, too delicious to be mixed in with many other yarns, Magpie Tendency is a cropped layering piece meant to stretch those fingering weight skeins as far as they can go. Knit on large needles, the finished fabric has beautiful drape, making it flattering on all body types. Two color-blocking options allow you to show off those beautiful single skeins in your stash, even if you are knitting a larger size. What’s not to love?

Sizes
A (B, C, D)(E, F, G, H)
35 (40.5, 46, 51)(56.5, 62, 67, 72.5)”/ 90 (105, 115, 130)(145, 160, 170, 185) cm actual bust measurement of finished garment.
Choose a size that is 6-12”/15-30 cm larger than your full bust measurement.

Sample 1 in Bubbly Toes (aqua with speckles) is a size D modeled on a 40”/100 cm full bust, with 11”/28 cm positive ease.
Sample 2 in Brambleberry (magenta) and Interstellar (blue, purple and black variegated) is a size C modeled on a 40”/100 cm full bust, with 6”/15 cm positive ease.
Sample 3 in Arlo & Spot (cream with neon green and black speckles) and Noir (black) is a size C modeled on a 40”/100 cm full bust, with 6”/15 cm positive ease.

Yardage/meterage required
Short sleeve: 350 (400, 450, 500)(575, 625, 675, 725) yds/320 (365, 410, 460)(525, 570, 620, 660) m
¾ length sleeve: 450 (500, 550, 600)675, 725, 775, 825 yds/410 (460, 500, 550)(620, 660, 710, 750) m
Note: Yardage provided is approximate and can change based on your yarn, gauge, and modifications to the pattern.
If you would like to add length to your Magpie Tendency, a good rule of thumb is to budget 15-30 yards per inch added, depending on your size.

Gauge
4 in / 10 cm =15 sts and 20 rows with larger size needle, in Broken Garter stitch pattern worked flat, taken after blocking.

Blocking is crucial to this garment since it is such an open fabric, so don’t be afraid if it looks like a shriveled mess as you are knitting it, blocking hides a multitude of sins! Also, I recommend using grippy needles such as wood, bamboo, carbon fiber or acrylic needles to help with knitting at this large gauge.

Recommended yarn
The Fiber Seed Sprout Sock
90% superwash merino/10% nylon
510 yds/465 m per 4.8 oz/138g skein.
Short sleeve: 1 (1, 1, 1)(2, 2, 2, 2) skeins
¾ length sleeve: 1 (1, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2, 2) skeins

Many thanks to Lindsay and Jordan of The Fiber Seed for providing yarn support for this pattern!

Notions / Needles
US 10.5 (6.5 mm) circular needle for body and sleeves (use your preferred method for small circumference knitting of the sleeves: DPNs, magic loop, 2 circulars or 9-12” circulars)
US 9 (5.5 mm) small circular or DPNs for i-cord cast on and bind off
Adjust needle sizes as necessary to match gauge. Note that the smaller needle will be 2 US sizes / (1 mm) smaller than the larger needle when gauge is met.
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers (2)

This sweater was designed for maximum stashability, so dig in and use those full skeins, leftovers and mini skeins! There are two recommended options for color-blocking the sweater, but you are free to go crazy with color to fit your own Magpie Tendency!

Color-blocking Option 1 (ideal for full skeins of contrast color) is modeled in ¾ length sleeve sample in Brambleberry and Interstellar.

Color-blocking Option 2 (ideal for mini skeins of contrast color) is modeled in short sleeve sample in Arlo & Spot and Noir.

This pattern has been tech edited and test knit. Thanks to Kate, Katherine, Em, Christy, Debbie, Emma, Erin, Heather, Jessica, Julia, Karen, Lindsay, Michelle and Rachel for test knitting this pattern, and to Meaghan for tech editing!

#SizeInclusive