BADGER SWEATER is a soft and warm sweater that is worked from the top down. An Italian cast-on is worked at the neck edge, which is followed by a twisted rib edge and a circular yoke worked in a charted stranded pattern. Short rows are worked before the yoke is divided for body and sleeves to create roominess and a good fit. The stranded pattern is worked from the right side only, so this design is a good project for a knitter without much experience with stranded knitting.

If you would like a slightly less advanced project, the Italian cast-on can be replaced by a regular long-tail cast-on. Just take care not to cast on too tightly. The Italian bind-off can also be replaced by a regular bind-off.

Sizes
Sizes: 2 (4) 6 (8) years
Bust circumference: 60 (68) 73 (78) cm
Length: 36 (39) 42 (45) cm
Sleeve length: 20 (25) 28 (30) cm

Needles
Double-pointed needles: 4,5 mm, 5 mm and 6 mm
Circular needles: 4,5 mm, 5 mm and 6 mm, 40 and 60 cm
Optional: A 4,5 mm straight needle for the Italian cast-on

NOTE: Personally I go up a needles size (+1 mm) when working a stranded knitting pattern to maintain the same gauge as when I work in stockinette stitch. Whether or not there is a gauge change when knitting with more than one color differs from knitter to knitter, so remember that it is a good idea to knit a swatch before beginning the project.

Gauge
16 sts x 26 rows in stockinette stitch on a 5 mm needle = 10 x 10 cm
16 sts x 19 rows in PATTERN on a 6 mm needle = 10 x 10 cm

Materials
Version 1
Color A: 100 (100) 150 (150) g Isager Eco Soft in color 2s (54 % alpaca, 44 % organic pima cotton; 250 m/100 g)
Color B: 50 (50) 100 (100) g Isager Eco Soft in color 8s (54 % alpaca, 44 % organic pima cotton; 250 m/100 g)

Version 2
Color A: 100 (100) 150 (150) g Isager Eco Soft in color 0 (54 % alpaca, 44 % organic pima cotton; 250 m/100 g)
Color B: 50 (50) 100 (100) g Isager Eco Soft in color 8s (54 % alpaca, 44 % organic pima cotton; 250 m/100 g)

Version 3
Color A: 100 (100) 150 (150) g Isager Eco Soft in color 0 (54 % alpaca, 44 % organic pima cotton; 250 m/100 g)
Color B: 50 (50) 100 (100) g Isager Eco Soft in color 4s (54 % alpaca, 44 % organic pima cotton; 250 m/100 g)