Forest Finds

ABOUT

Forest Finds is a cardigan for slowing down. Crisp stitches and structural details recall the littlest details of a woodland treasure hunt. The diagonals and long lines evoke all the branches, leaves and lamella of a harmonious autumn ramble. In sportweight, lofty Roan, this sweater offers layering versatility and cozy comfort.

Forest Finds, with it's roomy sleeves and spacious neckline, is designed for knitters with sensory sensitivities who want to experiment with rustic or sheepy yarns. It's built to layer in such a way that your skin never has to be in contact with the garment unless you want it to be!

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CONSTRUCTION

Forest Finds is worked with a unique construction - it's knit from panels that are joined with a three-needle bind-off, lending structure and texture.

Panels are worked from the bottom up. Front side centers include pockets knit in-line and optional short rows. Side panels are joined to the front and back centers using a 3-needle bind-off. Body and sleeves are seamed from the hems to the underarm, and a 3-needle bind-off is used to join the sleeves to the body. Stitches are picked up and knit for the hem, collar, and placket. The zipper is sewn in by hand.

Note - I love a zipper. There's never any gapping or buttons slipping out of their holes, and I felt the strong lines of this design were better without the punctuation of buttons. However, I have designed the plackets to be very easy to modify. Simply work a few more rows and pop in some buttonholes on one side.

SIZES

1 (2, 3, 4, 5) [6, 7, 8] (9, 10, 11, 12)

To fit upper chest: 28 (32.75, 36, 39.25, 42.5) [45.75, 49, 52.25] (55.5, 58.75, 62, 65.25) inches / 70 (81.5, 89.5, 98, 106) [114, 122, 130.5] (138.5, 146.5, 154.5, 163) cm

Finished full bust: 31.5 (35.75, 40, 43.75, 47.75) [51.75, 55.5, 59.75] (63.75, 67.5, 71.5, 75.75) inches / 78.5 (89.5, 99.5, 109.5, 119.5) [129, 139, 149] (159, 169, 179, 189) cm

Finished hip: 34.75 (39, 42.75, 47.25, 51) [55, 59, 62.75] (67, 71, 74.75, 78.75) inches / 87 (97.5, 106.5, 117.5, 127.5) [137.5, 147, 157] (167, 177, 187, 197) cm

Finished bicep: 12.75 (13.5, 14.5, 15.75, 16.75) [17.75, 19.5, 20.5] (22.5, 23, 24, 25) inches / 32 (34, 36.5, 39, 41.5) [44.5, 48.5, 51.5] (56.5, 57.5, 60, 62.5) cm

YOUR BEST FIT

I recommend choosing the size closest to your actual upper chest measurement. Intended ease is approximately 4 inches / 10 cm at the full bust. For more information on choosing a size using your upper chest measurement, visit this blog post.

Forest Finds is wider in the front than the back and includes instructions for knitting short rows to accommodate breasts. Short rows add length to the front only of the garment, so that the hem does not rise in the front. Four cup sizes are included, as are instructions for omitting the short rows entirely.

I'm wearing Size 5, cup 2, with approximately 2.75 inches / 7 cm of ease at the full bust. My upper chest measures 41.5 inches / 104 cm.

TECHNIQUES

Working directional increases and decreases
Working a sloped bind-off (optional)
Picking up and working stitches
Seaming
Working German Short Rows
3-needle bind-off
Handsewing (for the zipper)

MATERIALS

Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Hand sewing needle
Thread in coordinating color
Separating zipper
Iron or steamer, for steam blocking

GAUGE

22 sts and 33 rows over 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch with size A needles (US size 5, or as needed to obtain gauge).

YARN

Lavender Lune Yarn Co, Roan

75% Targhee 20% Cormo 5% colored Merino; 295 yds (270 m) per 100 g skein.

Shown in colorway Olive You.

This is a springy, soft yarn with a slightly thick-and-thin quality. It knits into a lofty, lightweight, low-drape, fabric.

No bust shaping: 1195 (1300, 1415, 1540, 1650) [1785, 1925, 2040] (2210, 2305, 2435, 2565) yds / 1095 (1185, 1290, 1410, 1510) [1630, 1760, 1865] (2020, 2110, 2225, 2345) m

Cup 1: 1235 (1340, 1460, 1595, 1705) [1840, 1990, 2105] (2280, 2380, 2515, 2650) yds / 1130 (1225, 1335, 1455, 1560) [1685, 1820, 1925] (2085, 2180, 2300, 2425) m

Cup 2: 1250 (1360, 1480, 1610, 1730) [1865, 2015, 2130] (2310, 2410, 2545, 2680) yds / 1145 (1240, 1350, 1475, 1580) [1705, 1840, 1950] (2110, 2205, 2325, 2450) m

Cup 3: 1265 (1375, 1495, 1630, 1750) [1885, 2040, 2160] (2335, 2440, 2575, 2710) yds / 1155 (1255, 1370, 1490, 1600) [1725, 1865, 1975] (2135, 2230, 2355, 2480) m

Cup 4: - (1390, 1515, 1650, 1770) [1910, 2060, 2185] (2365, 2465, 2605, 2745) yds / - (1270, 1385, 1510, 1620) [1745, 1885, 1995] (2160, 2255, 2380, 2510) m