Knitted Chunky Sweater

A knitted chunky sweater is like wearing a warm hug! It is the perfect cozy companion on chilly days, wrapping you up in its soft embrace. The chunky knit adds a touch of charm and a whole lot of comfort, making it a must-have in any wardrobe. Whether you're lounging at home with a cup of hot cocoa or out for a stroll in the brisk air, this sweater is sure to keep you snug and stylish. So go ahead, bundle up in your knitted chunky sweater and embrace the season with open arms!

SIZE

Women's XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]

shown in size M with 7 inches/17 cm of ease at bust

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest circumference at underarm: 32.75[37.5, 41, 44.75, 49, 53.5, 57, 60.75, 65.25] inches/ 83.5[95, 104, 113.5, 124.5, 136, 145, 154.5, 165.5] cm.

Length: 22.75[23.25, 23.5, 24.25, 2425, 24.75, 25.25, 25.75, 26.25] inches/ 57.5[59, 60, 61.5, 61.5, 63, 64, 65.5, 66.5] cm.

MATERIALS

Yarn

• Garthenor Organic Beacons DK, a blend of 100% organic British and Falkland Polwarth and Romney wool; some colors also have a little Hebridean. 148yd/135m per 50g skein.
• Color A (Blazer | navy blue): 1[1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] skeins.
• Color B (Hummingbird | bright deep aqua): 2[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3] skeins.
• Color C (Koi | dark coral): 1[1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3] skeins.
• Color D (Sycamore | deep rusty orange): 2[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3] skeins.
• Color E (Willow | deep green): 2[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3] skeins.
• Color F (Tilia | yellow-green): 2[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3] skeins.
• Color G (Spearmint | pale grey-green ): 1[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] skeins.

Yarn Characteristics

Garthenor Organic Beacons DK is a 3-ply wool with a round profile and solid color. Because Garthenor is a very small company which works with individual farmers in small batches, not all colors are available at all times. Other suitable yarns might be West Yorkshire Spinners Colour Lab DK, or Cascade Yarns Superwash 200, both of which come in a large choice of colors. Any other yarn that gives correct gauge would be suitable. You could even use leftovers and add stripes or extra color blocks.

Recommended needle size

• [always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
• US 4/3.5mm circular needle, 32-inches/80-cm long, for working hem
• US 4/3.5mm circular needle for working small circumferences in the round for neckline and cuffs
• US 6/4mm circular needle, at least 32-inches/80-cm long, for working body
• US 6/4mm circular needle for working small circumferences in the round for sleeves

Notions

• stitch marker
• tapestry needle
• 2 safety pins and stitch holder, for holding sts at underarms and center front neck

GAUGE

21.5 sts/31.5 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch.

Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.

PATTERN NOTES

Construction method: This garment is knitted from the bottom up, starting with a hem trim worked in the round, and continues working flat, using circular needles so that the piece can be joined as you go at one side, and avoiding seaming. The work is divided at the underarms and upper front and back are worked separately then joined with three needle bind-off. Sleeves are picked up at the armholes and worked downwards, again working flat and joining as you go. Cuffs are then worked in the round.

Intarsia tips: It is important that you twist the various yarns together whenever they meet each other to avoid holes. To do this, the new color should be brought below and to the right of the old colour. You can also add any other intarsia color blocks to each piece if you want to, although instructions are not given for this.

DIRECTIONS

Hem

With color A and smaller needle, CO 162[184, 202, 220, 242, 264, 282, 300, 322] sts using the method of your choice. Pm and join for working in the round, taking care that your work is not twisted.

Round 1: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end of round.

Rep Round 1 until work measures 2 inches/5 cm from cast-on edge, or desired length of rib.

Increase round: Work in rib pattern as set for 0[4, 4, 4, 8, 12, 12, 12, 16] sts, (m1, work in rib pattern for 9 sts) 18[20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34] times. 18[20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34] sts increased, 180[204, 224, 244, 268, 292, 312, 332, 356] sts total.

Work lower body:

Change to larger needle.

Row 1 [RS]: With color B, k 86[93, 99, 105, 111, 118, 124, 130, 137] , switch to color C and k 4[9, 13, 17, 23, 28, 32, 36, 41] ; switch to color D and k 4[9, 13, 17, 23, 28, 32, 36, 41] , switch to color E and k 86[93, 99, 105, 111, 118, 124, 130, 137] .

Colors B and C are at the front, and colors D and E are at the back.

Row 2 [WS]: With color E, yo, p 86[93, 99, 105, 111, 118, 124, 130, 137] to end of block of color E; twist yarns E and D together, with color D p 4[9, 13, 17, 23, 28, 32, 36, 41] to end of block of color D; twist yarns D and C together, with color C p 4[9, 13, 17, 23, 28, 32, 36, 41] to end of block of color C; twist yarns C and B together, with color B p 85[92, 98, 104, 110, 117, 123, 129, 136] until 1 st of color B remains, purl last st of B tog with the yo created at the start of the row in color E.

Row 3: With color B, yo, knit to 1 st before the end of the block of color B; twist yarns B and C together, with color C knit to the end of the block of color C, twist yarns C and D together, with color D knit to the end of the block of color D, k1 from block of color E; twist D and E together, with color E knit to 1 st before end of row, ssk the last st together with the yo created at the start of the row.

Row 4: With color E, yo, purl to the end of the block of color E; twist yarns E and D together, with color D purl to the end of the block of color D; twist D and C together, with color C purl to the end of the block of color C; twist C and B together, with color B purl to 1 st before end of row, p2tog the last st with the yo created at the start of the row.

Rep last 2 rows 50[51, 50, 50, 48, 48, 48, 48, 49] more times. On each RS row, colors C and D "steal" 1 st from colors B and E to create the slant pattern.

At the end of this section there will be 35[41, 48, 54, 62, 69, 75, 81, 87] sts on each block of colors B and E, and 55[61, 64, 68, 72, 77, 81, 85, 91] sts on each block of colors C and D.

Divide for front and back:

From this point you will work the upper front and back separately and flat. Do not break yarns.

Knit across blocks of colors B and C, omitting the yarnover, and maintaining the slant pattern; knit first st of color D, put 2 sts just worked onto a safety pin; knit across blocks of colors D and E, maintaining the slant pattern to 1 st before end of row; place last st of the row and first st of B onto a safety pin. Turn to work upper back.

One safety pin holds 1 st each of colors C and D at right underarm, and the other holds 1 st each of colors E and B at left underarm. 88[100, 110, 120, 132, 144, 154, 164, 176] sts each for front and back.

Work upper back:

Starting and ending with a WS row, and keeping continuity of patt with D and E, work 61[63, 69, 73, 77, 81, 85, 89, 91] rows.

At the end of this section there will be 3[8, 12, 16, 22, 27, 31, 35, 40] sts of color E and 85[92, 98, 104, 110, 117, 123, 129, 136] sts of color D.

Break yarns, leaving a tail about 2-3 yds/1.75-2.75 m long of yarn D for working three needle bind-off at right shoulder later. Leave sts on needle while completing the front.

Work upper front to neck:

Return to sts left on needle for front. Starting and ending with a WS row, and keeping continuity of patt with colors B and C, work 27[29, 35, 39, 43, 45, 49, 53, 55] rows.

At the end of this section there will be 20[25, 29, 33, 39, 45, 49, 53, 58] sts of color B and 68[75, 81, 87, 93, 99, 105, 111, 118] sts of color C.

Shape left front neck:

Row 1 [RS]: Keeping continuity of patt at all times, k 36[42, 47, 52, 57, 63, 68, 73, 79] , turn. Work left front on these live sts, leaving other front sts on hold.

Row 2 [WS]: P2tog, purl to end of row. 1 st decreased, 35[41, 46, 51, 56, 62, 67, 72, 78] sts remain.

Row 3: Knit to last 2sts, k2tog. 1 st decreased, 34[40, 45, 50, 55, 61, 66, 71, 77] sts remain.

Rep last two rows 3[3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4] times more. 6[6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 8] sts decreased, 28[34, 39, 44, 49, 55, 58, 63, 69] sts remain.

Next row [WS]: Purl.

Next row [RS]: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. 1 st decreased, 27[33, 38, 43, 48, 54, 57, 62, 68] sts remain.

Rep last 2 rows 7[7, 8, 8, 8, 8, 7, 8, 8] times more. 7[7, 8, 8, 8, 8, 7, 8, 8] sts decreased, 20[26, 30, 35, 40, 46, 50, 54, 60] sts remain.

Work without further shaping for a further 9[9, 7, 7, 7, 9, 9, 7, 7] rows, ending with a WS row.

Turn work inside out, and with RS facing, work a 3-needle BO across left shoulder sts, using the appropriate colors. Break yarns.

Shape right front neck:

Place 16[16, 16, 16, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18] sts at center front neck on a stitch holder. With RS facing, rejoin color C to right front.

Row 1 [RS]: K 36[42, 47, 52, 57, 63, 68, 73, 79] sts.

Row 2 [WS]: Purl to last 2 sts, ssp. 1 st decreased, 35[41, 46, 51, 56, 62, 67, 72, 78] sts remain.

Row 3: Ssk, knit to end of row. 1 st decreased, 34[40, 45, 50, 55, 61, 66, 71, 77] sts remain.

Rep last 2 rows 3[3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4] times more. 6[6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 8] sts decreased, 28[34, 39, 44, 49, 55, 58, 63, 69] sts remain.

Next row [WS]: Purl.

Next row [RS]: Ssk, knit to end of row. 1 st decreased, 27[33, 38, 43, 48, 54, 57, 62, 68] sts remain.

Rep last 2 rows 7[7, 8, 8, 8, 8, 7, 8, 8] times more. 7[7, 8, 8, 8, 8, 7, 8, 8] sts remain, 20[26, 30, 35, 40, 46, 50, 54, 60] sts remain.

Work without further shaping for a further 9[9, 7, 7, 7, 9, 9, 7, 7] rows, ending with a WS row. Break yarn. Rearrange sts so that needle tips are at armhole edge of shoulder.

Turn work inside out, and with RS facing, work a 3-needle BO across right shoulder sts, using the long tail left from working the back. Break yarns. There will be 48[48, 50, 50, 52, 52, 54, 56, 56] sts left at back neck.

Neckband

With RS facing, color A and smaller needle, knit across 48[48, 50, 50, 52, 52, 54, 56, 56] sts at back neck, pick up and knit 27 sts down left front neck, k 16[16, 16, 16, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18] sts from center front neck, pick up and knit 27 sts up right front neck, pm for start of round. 118[118, 120, 120, 124, 124, 126, 128, 128] sts total.

Round 1: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end of round.

Rep this round until neckband measures 1.25 inches/3 cm. BO loosely in rib, using a stretchy bind-off if you tend to bind off tightly.

Sleeves (both alike)

Work both sleeves in the same way. You will use intarsia in the round again. This time your colors will spiral around the sleeves in the same direction.

Set up round: With RS facing, color F and larger needles, take the two sts off the safety pin and place on LH needle; slip the first st and knit the second; pick up and knit 42[44, 47, 51, 53, 56, 58, 60, 62] sts up first side of sleeve; with color G, pick up and knit 42[44, 47, 51, 53, 56, 58, 60, 62] sts down second side of sleeve, knit the remaining st from the safety pin. 86[90, 96, 104, 108, 114, 118, 122, 126] sts total.

Row 1 [WS]: With color G, yo, purl all the sts in the block of G, twist yarns; with color F, purl to last st, p2tog last st with the yo created at the start of the row.

Row 2 [RS]: With color F, yo, knit to end of block of F and 1 st from the block of G, twist yarns; with color G, knit to last st, ssk last st with the yo, pm to mark underarm to assist with sleeve decreases, sl 1 purlwise. This moves the end of the row on by 1 st to create the spiral patt.

Row 3: With color G, yo, purl all the sts in the block of G, slipping marker as you come to it, twist yarns; with color F, purl to last st, p2tog last st with the yo created at the start of the row.

Row 4: With color F, yo, knit to end of block of F and 1st from the block of G, twist yarns; with color G, knit to last st of block of G slipping marker as you come to it, ssk last st with the yo, sl 1 purlwise.

Rep Rows 3-4 twice more, then work Row 3 once more.

Note: as you continue the spiral pattern, the end of the row will move around the sleeve and the marker placement will move from color G to color F.

Sleeve decrease row [RS]: Keeping continuity of patt as set, yo, knit to 3 sts before m, ssk, k1, sm, k1, k2tog, knit to last st, ssk, sl 1 purlwise. 2 sts decreased, 84[88, 94, 102, 106, 112, 116, 120, 124] sts remain.

Continue in same manner, working decreases every 6th row 12[11, 9, 8, 6, 3, 0, 0, 0] times, then on every 4th row 7[9, 12, 15, 18, 23, 28, 29, 30] times. 38[40, 42, 46, 48, 52, 56, 58, 60] sts decreased, 46[48, 52, 56, 58, 60, 60, 62, 64] sts remain.

Note: at some point in some sizes, the change of color may occur in the same sts as a decrease point. If this occurs, move the decrease by one or two sts to the right or left as appropriate.

Work without further shaping until sleeve measures 14.25[14.5, 14.5, 15.25, 15.25, 15.5, 15.5, 16.25, 16.25] inches / 36[37, 37, 38.5, 38.5, 39.5, 39.5, 41, 41] cm, or 2 inches/5 cm shorter than desired sleeve length, ending on a WS row.

Cuff

With RS facing, work a partial row until you reach the marker, omitting the yarnover. Break colors F and G. You will now return to working in the round for the cuff.

Decrease round: With color A and smaller size needles for working in the round, k 6[0, 4, 6, 8, 0, 0, 2, 4] , (k2tog, k 3[4, 4, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4] ) 8[8, 8, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10] times. 8[8, 8, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10] sts decreased, 38[40, 44, 46, 48, 50, 50, 52, 54] sts remain.

Round 1: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end of round.

Rep this round until cuff measures 2 inches/5 cm. BO loosely in rib.

Work second sleeve in the same manner.

FINISHING

Weave in all ends on inside of work. Soak garment in warm water with a drop of washing up liquid or woolly wash for 20-30 minutes. Short spin or roll in towels to remove excess water, pull gently into shape and allow to dry flat.

A – Chest circumference at underarm: 32.75[37.5, 41, 44.75, 49, 53.5, 57, 60.75, 65.25] inches/ 83.5[95, 104, 113.5, 124.5, 136, 145, 154.5, 165.5] cm.

B – Length to underarm: 15[15.25, 15, 15, 14.5, 14.5, 14.5, 14.5, 14.75] inches/ 38[38.5, 38, 38, 37, 37, 37, 37, 37.5] cm.

C – Sleeve length to underarm: 16.25[16.5, 16.5, 17.25, 17.25, 17.5, 17.5, 18, 18] inches/ 41[42, 42, 43.5, 43.5, 44.5, 44.5, 46, 46] cm.

D – Armhole depth: 7.75[8, 8.75, 9.25, 9.75, 10.25, 10.75, 11.25, 11.5] inches/ 19.5[20.5, 22, 23.5, 25, 26, 27.5, 28.5, 29] cm.

E – Garment length from shoulder to hem: 22.75[23.25, 23.5, 24.25, 24.25, 24.75, 25.25, 25.75, 26.25] inches/ 57.5[59, 60, 61.5, 61.5, 63, 64, 65.5, 66.5] cm.

F – Back neck width after neckband added: 6.5[6.5, 6.75, 6.75, 7, 7, 7.5, 7.75, 7.75] inches/ 16.5[16.5, 17.5, 17.5, 18, 18, 19, 20, 20] cm.

G – Cuff circumference: 6.75[7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.25, 9.25, 9.5, 9.75] inches/ 17.5[18.5, 20.5, 21.5, 22.5, 23.5, 23.5, 24, 25] cm.