Green. I’ve had a lifelong love affair with plants, and all the shades of green they come in. Plants became especially dear to me when I lived in southern California, and had such a hard time getting them to grow. I wasn’t the only one who wilted down there. Many plants I’d had for decades withered and died. Here in the Pacific Northwest, however, plants of all kinds practically leap out of the ground. In spring and summer, there are so many leaves on the trees by our house that it sounds like it’s raining—even when it isn’t—because the wind makes the millions of leaves rustle together. This sweater started with the back, with a delightful leaf stitch I found that reminds me of my new home. A dear friend suggested that I make the sleeves lace, too, but that I use a different, but coordinating stitch. I knew the perfect one.

Knit in one piece to the armholes. Simple reverse stockinette stitch in front, party in the back. The boxy, loose ¾-length sleeves, also knit from hem up, have their own party happening.

Finished sizes: 34.5, 37.5, 40.5, 43.5 46.25, 49.25, 53.25, 55.5 inches; 87.5, 95.5, 103, 110.5 117.5, 125, 135.5, 141 cm

To fit bust sizes: up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) smaller than finished sweater (positive ease)

Yarn: fingering weight; 1075, 1175, 1300, 1375 1475, 1575, 1725, 1825 yards.

Skills: k2tog, ssk, k3tog, s1-k2tog-psso, s1-p2tog-psso, yo, left-and right leaning twisted stitches, 3-stitch cables

Notions: stitch markers are optional

Buttons: 9 ¾-inch (2 cm) buttons

Stitch pattern: Charted and written