finished my first Penguin Sweater! couldn’t find a penguin to model it so I used a bottle of Bacardi.

The pattern online is a little vague at points, so for newbie knitters like myself, here’s a row by row description of what I did. I am NOT a knitting pattern expert by any means, there are probably way better ways to do this…this just worked for me. I’ll update as I make more and improve this. (Edited 10/17/11)

Needles: US size 3 straights, US size 5 straights, US size 3 double pointed

Using the size 3 straights, cast on 36 stitches

Row 1-7: k1, p1

Switch to size 5 needles

Row 8: k1fb, (k2, p2 to last 3 st) k2, k1fb (38 stitches)
Row 9: k1fb, k1, p2 (k2, p2 to last 2 st) k1, k1fb (40)
Row 10: k1fb, p2 (k2, p2 to last st) k1fb (42)
Row 11: k1fb, p1, (k2, p2 to last 4 st) k2, p1, k1fb (44)
Row 12: p1, (k2, p2 to last 3 st) k2, p1
Row 13: k1, p2 (k2, p2 to last st) k1

Repeat Row 12-13 until work measures 6 inches. End on WS row. Begin to decrease:

Row 14: p1, p2tog (k2, p2 to last 5 st) k2, p2tog, p1 (42 stitches)
Row 15: k2tog, p2 (k2, p2 to last 2 st) k2tog (40)
Row 16: k1, k2tog, p2 (k2, p2 to last 3 st) k2tog, k1 (38)
Row 17: p2tog, (k2, p2 to last 4 st) k2, p2tog (36)
Row 18: repeat row 14 (34)
Row 19: repeat row 15 (32)
Row 20: repeat row 16 (30)
Row 21: repeat row 17 (28)
Row 22: k1, p2, (k2, p2 twice) k2, p2tog (k2, p2 three times) k1 (27 stitches)

Transfer stitches to one of the dpns. Break yarn, leaving a tail for sewing. Repeat steps above to make second half.

Transfer the stitches from both pieces to three dpns, 18 stitches on each needle. Work 10 rows of k1, p1 rib. Bind off.

Sew up sides from bottom edge to the point where you started decreasing.