Prairie Cactus Sweater, Size 12

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MATERIALS

Sport Yarn: Main color, 8 oz. dark green
Contrasting color, 2 oz. white
Needles: 1 pair size 2, 1 pair size 3 (standard)
Knitting Chart

GAUGE

6 ½ stitches = 1 inch
8 ½ rows = 1 inch
Chest measurement of sweater = 32 inches

BACK

With size 2 needles and the main color, cast on 100 stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2, for 2 ½ inches. Change to size 3 needles and knit across the next row, increasing to 103 stitches (increase about every 25th stitch). Purl back, then work in stockinette stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) until work measures 13 inches from the beginning, ending with a purl row. Start underarm decreases as shown on the diagram on the next row by binding off the number of stitches shown. Always slip the first stitch when binding off. The solid line on the diagram indicates the change to white for the background color. For the shoulders, start on the indicated row and bind off at the beginning of 6 consecutive rows the number of stitches shown, placing the remaining 33 stitches on a stitch holder for the neckband.

FRONT

Work the same as the back, noting on diagram the change of row on which the design starts, until the row indicating the start of the neck opening. Work the first 28 stitches. Then continue working these stitches only, making the neck and shoulder decreases as shown until this shoulder is completed. Place the next 27 stitches on a stitch holder for the neckband. Then tie on yarn at the neck edge and work the remaining 28 stitches for the other shoulder. When a decrease at the neck edge comes at the beginning of a row, knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over knit stitch. When a decrease at the neck edge comes at the end of a row, knit to within 3 stitches of the end, knit 2 together, knit 1.

SLEEVES

With size 2 needles and the main color, cast on 44 stitches and work in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2, for 3 inches. Change to size 3 needles and knit across the next row, increasing to 53 stitches (increase about every 4th stitch). This is the first row shown on the diagram. Change to white yarn and continue following the diagram, increasing 1 stitch at each end of the rows shown. Then increase 1 stitch at each end of every 8th row until there are 73 stitches. When the sleeve measures 16 inches from the beginning, ending with a purl row, bind off 6 stitches at the beginning of each of the next 2 rows. Then bind off 1 stitch at the beginning of every row until 37 stitches remain, then 3 stitches at the beginning of every row until 19 stitches remain. Bind off these 19 stitches.

ASSEMBLY

Assemble the sweater according to the directions on patternbook page. For the neckband, pick up 100 stitches (including those on stitch holders) around the neck with size 2 double pointed needles and work these stitches in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2, for 8 rows. Then bind off loosely in the knit 2, purl 2 pattern.


Other great patterns from Wild West Sweaters, Volume 10:

Knitting Patterns

Rodeo Rider Sweater
Prairie Flower Sweater
Two Star Sheriff Sweater
Texas Longhorn Sweater
Thunder Bird Sweater
Cattle Brands Sweater
Lucky Ponies Sweater
Cowboy Sweater
Desert Flower Sweater
Prairie Cactus Sweater