Once upon a time long ago I was in the middle of a daydream when in my mind’s eye I saw a giant white stag walk up behind me and place his forehead against my back. When he did this his antlers wrapped around me in a protective embrace. I felt so safe and comforted by this vision. It often comes to mind when I am feeling vulnerable or afraid. I’ve wanted to represent an antler hug in a sweater ever since. I give you Patronus! The protective (and surprisingly comfy) hug from your own loving stag.

Owl Experience Level: 3 owls (advanced)
Sizes: XS - 5X Larger sizes in parentheses.
Bust size in inches: XS 28 - 30 (S: 32-34, M: 36-38, L: 40-42,
XL: 44-46, XXL: 48-50, 3X: 52-54, 4X: 56-58, 5X: 60-62)

Finished measurements (measured flat):
Width in inches: 20 (22: 24: 26: 28: 30: 32: 34: 36)
Height in inches: 24 (24: 24: 25: 25: 25: 26: 26: 26)

Yarns used: bulky weight yarn such as:
Brooklyn Tweed Quarry: 100 g - 200 yds - 183 m,
100% American Targhee - Columbia Wool.
MC: Flint 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9) skeins.
CC1: Sandstone - 1 skein.

Tension/gauge:
Work 12 sts and 20 rows to measure 4x4” in St stitch using US 10.5 or 6.5 mm needles with MC bulky yarn.

Notions:
A pair of US 10.5 (6.5 mm) circular needles 24” long.
A pair of US 13 (9 mm) circular needles 24” long.
stitch markers, tapestry needle.

Tiny owl stitch dictionary:
CC 1: contrasting color 1
close wrap: When working wrap & turn, the wrap creates a bar at base of the st. Next time you get to the st, you’ll need to pick up any bars created and knit or purl them together with the stitch as follows. Note: instructions differ for RS and WS.
RS close wrap:
Insert right needle into the bar at the bottom of the
next stitch from bottom to top. Now knit bar together
with that stitch. (Continue bind off as usual.)
WS close wrap:
Insert right needle into bar at bottom of next stitch from
bottom to top. Place it on the left needle and purl the
bar together with that stitch. (Cont bind off as usual.)
k: knit
kfb: knit into front and back of the next stitch.
MC: main color
p: purl
pm: place marker
(RS): right side
St st: stockinette/stocking stitch. k a row, purl a row.
st(s): stitch(es)
wrap & turn: Note: instructions differ RS and WS.
RS wrap & turn:
Move yarn to front of work, slip next stitch onto right
needle pwise, move yarn to back of work, slip stitch
back onto left needle pwise, turn your work.
WS wrap & turn:
Move yarn to back of work, slip next stitch onto right
needle pwise, move yarn to front of work, slip stitch
back onto left needle pwise, turn your work.
(WS): wrong side

Start here with the pattern notes: I LOVE baggy sweaters! I always have to hunt the men’s section to get a good fall sweater to lounge in. Not today! This sweater is designed with 10-12 inches of positive ease. That means lots of room to eat all of the Yule cookies. I mean broccoli. Back & front are knitted flat separately (antler chart on the front.) Arms are knitted separately and the whole thing is stitched together at the end. Finally, you’ll pick up sts at the neck & knit a soft cowl-like collar by switching to size US 13 needles midway to create a gauzy fabric.