Patterns, projects and techniques
I love long, roomy sweaters, and pretty much live in them this time of year. I feel like I need to add the Big Comfy Sweater from Red Heart to my knit list right away.
This simple boxy sweater uses mostly Stockinette Stitch, along with ribbing at the split hem and a ridge stitch pattern at the top and across the sleeves.
It’s worked in two pieces in a lightweight yarn so the big size won’t weigh you down. The pattern is free from Yarnspirations and comes in six sizes.
[Photo: Yarnspirations.]
I hadn’t heard of Laura Sebastian’s fantasy series Castles in Their Bones until I stumbled upon Mary P. Hunt’s knitting patterns inspired by the series, but if you’re already a fan (of this series in particular or fantasy in general) you’re sure to enjoy these designs.
The book series, in case you’re curious, follows triplet princesses who each marry a prince on their 16th birthday as part of their mother’s master plan to take over the whole continent of Vesteria. (Thanks, GoodReads!)
I don’t know how I found the (all these links ahead are to Ravelry, FYI) Star-Touched Hat knitting pattern, but it was the first one I saw. There’s also a coordinating cowl and mittens if you want to complete the full set.
All of them prominently feature stars and have a sort of Art Deco feel. They call for DK weight yarn in two colors, so you could make them all to match or use different colors for each.
The hat comes in five sizes, ranging in circumference from 18.5 to 22.3 inches (or 47 to 57 cm). It can be worked with a short brim or a folded brim.
The mittens come in small and large adult sizes, with extended sizes for both (more length is included in the extended sizes). These feature a cool Latvian braid at the top of the cuff, which is a fun skill to learn.
And the cowl is one size, on the smaller side as cowls go, measuring about 13.5 inches/34.5 cm tall and 26 inches/66 cm around.
The designer suggests you can hold a bit of metallic thread along with your yarn to give it more of a sparkly, regal, celestial feel, but that’s totally up to you!
As mentioned above you can get all of these patterns on Ravelry. As of this writing there doesn’t seem to be a discount from buying all three, but maybe that will change.
[Photo: Mary P. Hunt]
I made this sweater and was very pleased. Since I am only 5’4″ I think I will make it again only shorter, this one was a little longer than I wanted. I should have followed my instinct and made it shorter than the directions said but I can do that with my next one. All in all it is a great pattern!
Thanks for the comment! I’m 5’6″ so it looks like a great length for me.
I am 5’3”, wondering where the sweater length hit you, Roseann? Longer than in the photo? I think I’d like it about that length.