My very first passion was for dinosaurs. I had an imaginary Saltopus friend that followed me around, and in first grade I was very proud to say that I wanted to be a paleontologist when I grew up (I’m sure my parents were just proud I could even pronounce the word at 6 years old). Now, eons later, I’ve excavated a knit top that brings together my first love and current passion with knitting (as well as my constant desire to live that cozy life) in the Stego Sweater!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Needles
US5 (3.75 mm) circular needles (or size needed to obtain gauge).
Varying cable lengths are recommended to accommodate yoke, body, and sleeve circumferences.

(Optional) Set of 4 or 5 double pointed needles in same size as main circular needles for small circumference knitting (sleeves).

(Optional) Circular needles up to 1 size larger for colorwork section only (to maintain gauge).

US3 (3.25 mm) circular needles or a set of 4 or 5 double pointed needles for collar, body hem, and sleeve cuffs.

Notions
Tapestry needle
5 - 7 Stitch markers
2 Stitch holders or waste yarn
(Optional) Row counter

YARN & YARDAGE

Yarn
Two highly contrasting colors in DK weight yarn. Sizes for this garment are shown in the pattern as 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)(7, 8, 9, 10).

Sample uses Yarnaceous Fibers Bronto DK base (85% superwash merino wool and 15% nylon; 246 yd / 225 m per 100 g) using colorway Hold Onto Somebody (off-white speckle) as main color and Zircon (rusty red) as contrast color.
https://yarnaceousfibers.com/

Length Required (Includes 10% Excess)
MC: 732 (810, 900, 1010, 1112, 1224)(1346, 1480, 1628, 1790) yards
669 (741, 823, 924, 1017, 1119)(1231, 1353, 1489, 1637) meters

CC: 328 (360, 396, 436, 472, 498)(524, 566, 612, 660) yards
300 (329, 362, 399, 432, 455)(480, 518, 560, 604) meters

SIZING & GAUGE

Gauge
Stockinette: 22 stitches x 26 rounds = 4” / 10 cm after blocking worked in the round.

Ribbing: 26 stitches x 28 rounds = 4” / 10 cm after blocking worked in the round using smaller needles.

Sizing
Finished garment chest circumference:
29 (33.5, 38, 42, 46.5, 51)(55.5, 58, 62.5, 67) inches / 73.5 (85, 96.5, 106.5, 118, 129.5)(141, 147.5, 159, 170) cm

Yoke depth:
9 (9, 10.5, 10.5, 12, 12)(12, 12, 12, 12) inches / 23 (23, 26.5, 26.5, 30.5, 30.5)(30.5, 30.5, 30.5, 30.5) cm

Total body length from underarm (customizable):
16 inches / 40.5 cm

Sleeve length:
18 inches / 45.5 cm

Recommended positive ease is 2” - 6” / 5 - 15 cm at the chest based on personal preference.

If sharing your progress and finished piece on Instagram or other social networks, please use the hashtag #StegoSweater so I can admire your beautiful work! Happy knitting, friend!