Birch Bark

A stylish pullover with cable-y goodness.

Sizes: Twelve sizes; intended to be worn with 1-2’’/2.5-5cm ease in the upper torso. Shown in size 38 1/2’’ / 97.5 cm.

Final Measurements:
Bust measures: 30 1⁄2 (32, 34 1⁄2, 36, 38 1⁄2, 40, 42 1⁄2, 44, 46 1⁄2, 48, 50 1⁄2, 54 1⁄2)”/77 (81.5, 87.5, 91.5, 97.5, 101.5, 107.5, 112, 118, 122, 128, 138) cm
Length from hem to shoulder: 19 1⁄2 (20 1⁄4, 20 3⁄4, 21 1⁄4, 22, 22 1⁄2, 23, 23 1⁄2, 24 1⁄4, 24 3⁄4, 25, 25 1⁄2)”/49.5 (51.5, 52.5, 54, 56, 57, 58.5, 59.5, 61.5, 63, 63.5, 65) cm

Featured Materials: Woolen Rabbit Frolic [100% merino]: 200 yds/183 m per 115 g hank, shown in color “Autumn Aster”: 5 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10) hanks

Gauge: 20 sts & 26 rows = 4’’/10cm in Stockinette Stitch. Recommended needle size of US 7/4.5mm

Pattern Notes: All photographs copyright Amy Herzog 2013. Technical editing by Alison Green.

Birch Bark is inspired by, and designed for, the lovely coastline of my hometown in Maine. The weather here is crisp, the light is golden, and nature is constantly calling. Curves are everywhere – on the waves, on the trees, in the rocks. I wanted a pullover that was flattering and comfortable, but that also used cables to evoke the things I love about the landscape here.

Birch Bark is worked in pieces from the bottom up and then seamed. The shorter, slightly-belled sleeves and boat neck draw the eye up, while the dramatic cable panel on the front narrows the torso and captures the attention. The neckline highlights a lovely collarbone, and the Woolen Rabbit’s color depth is amazing.

It is worked in The Woolen Rabbit’s wonderful Frolic, which is gorgeously colored, soft, and substantial. If you decide to substitute yarn, you will need approximately 836 (917, 992, 1051, 1138, 1217, 1308, 1385, 1502, 1591, 1718, 1890) yds/765 (839, 908, 961, 1041, 1113, 1197, 1267, 1375, 1456, 1572, 1730) m.

Birch Bark offers great options for all body types. As written, the wide neckline, shorter sleeves, and plain hem make a bottom-heavy figure shine. Proportional shapes might consider lengthening the sleeves; top-heavy shapes could do the same and lengthen the sweater.

Vertical darts enable easy customization to fit your needs. Should you desire less waist shaping than specified, either omit the shaping rows entirely, or omit/reduce only the shaping on the front of the sweater. Bustier women can work more increases on the front of the sweater, and not in the back. Extra stitches should be decreased into the neckline.

As with all patterns, compare the schematic against your own measurements and make alterations as necessary. Or, for the first time, create your own Birch Bark without doing any math at all by using the CustomFit recipe included in the pattern. Your choice!

Birch Bark may be purchased from from my ravelry pattern store for US$7.00 or by clicking here:

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