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THE OCTOPUS PULLOVER
by Lizabeth Towers

This is it, the pattern for the pullover worn by author Leif Enger, for the release of his novel, I Cheerfully Refuse. Now you can wear it, too.

Special thanks to my skillful test knitters and to my technical editor, Sarah Walworth, for helping to make this pattern a good one!

PATTERN NOTES:
The Octopus Pullover is worked seamlessly in the round from the top down, beginning with the neck ribbing. Then short rows are added to raise the back neck before working the stranded circular yoke. At the separation round, the sleeve stitches are placed on hold and then the body is worked down to the ribbed hem. Finally, sleeves are worked from the top down to the ribbed cuffs.

This size-inclusive pattern is for adults and teens. Instructions to modify the pattern for a custom fit are included throughout the pattern.

SIZES: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
#sizeinclusive

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS IN INCHES:
Bust/chest circumference: 32 (36.25, 40, 44, 48) (52, 56, 60, 64, 68.25)
Bicep circumference: 11 (12, 13, 14, 15.25) (17, 18.25, 19.75, 20.75, 21.5)
Yoke depth: 8.5 (8.75, 9, 9.25, 9.5) (9.75, 10, 10.25, 10.5, 11)
Underarm to front bottom edge: 11 (12, 12, 13, 13) (14, 14, 14, 14.5, 15)
Underarm to back bottom edge is .75” longer for all sizes
Sleeve length from underarm: 18

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS IN CENTIMETERS:
Bust/chest circumference: 80 (92, 100, 112.5, 120) (132.5, 140, 153, 160, 173.5)
Bicep circumference: 28 (30.5, 33, 35.5, 38.5) (43, 46.5, 50, 52.5, 55)
Yoke depth: 21.5 (22, 23, 23.5, 24) (25, 25, 26, 26.5, 28)
Underarm to front bottom edge: 28 (30.5, 30.5, 33, 33) (35.5, 35.5, 35.5, 37, 38)
Underarm to back bottom edge is 2 cm longer for all sizes.
Sleeve length from underarm: 45

YARN QUANTITIES: These are estimates only.
Main Color (gray): Approximately 1015 (1050, 1170, 1353, 1535) (1717, 1899, 2057, 2179, 2300) yds
929 (961, 1070, 1238, 1404) (1571, 1737, 1881, 1993, 2104) m
Contrast Color 1 (green): Approximately 10 (12, 13, 15, 16) (18, 19, 21, 22, 24) yds
10, (11, 12, 14, 15) (17, 18, 20, 21, 22) m
Contrast Color 2 (teal): Approximately 23 (26, 29, 33, 35) (39, 42, 46, 49, 54) yds
22 (24, 27, 31, 33) (36, 39, 43, 45, 50) m
Contrast Color 3 (orange): Approximately 7 (8, 9, 10, 11) (16, 18, 19, 20, 27) yds
7 (8, 9, 10, 11) (15, 17, 18, 19, 25) m
Contrast Color 4 (navy octopus): Approximately 112 (129, 141, 159, 174) (196, 211, 233, 254, 279) yds
103 (118, 129, 146, 160) (180, 193, 214, 232, 256) m

YARNS TO CONSIDER: Main Color in sample is Cloudborn Highland DK 164 yds 150 m per 50 g. It has sadly been discontinued. Select a comparable yarn in a DK or light worsted weight, preferably in 100% wool or wool blend, which blocks smoothly, has good memory and a slight tooth so it performs well in stranded colorwork. The fabric achieved at this gauge is neither stiff nor loose. Try: Hobbii Highland Wool, Brooklyn Tweed Arbor, Willow and Lark Ramble, or Kelbourne Woolens Scout. Contrast Color 4 (octopus) in sample is La Bien Aimee Merino DK 252 yds 230 m per 115 g in colorway Isle of Arran.

RECOMMENDED NEEDLES
US 4 3.5m circular needles in 16” 40 cm and 32” 80 cm lengths, and double pointed needles
US 6 4mm circular needles in 16” 40 cm and 32” 80 cm lengths
Use the size needed to obtain gauge!

TECHNIQUES:
Old Norwegian cast on (or cast on of choice), ribbing, short rows, knitting, purling, stranded colorwork, increasing, decreasing, picking up stitches, binding off

Face-to-face with a Giant Pacific Octopus only 15 minutes in on my first snorkeling experience, two things became instantly apparent to this Minnesota country girl:

1. If only one of us was going to survive down there, it was going to be him.
2. That roar in my ears was actually me, myself, hyperventilating through the snorkel.

He let me pass unharmed. I’ve loved him for it ever since.

COMING SOON: Octopus Cowl