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Like a nimble flock of shore birds, buoyant bobbles cluster amid slanting ropes of cables on the Balan cardigan. The easy drop-shoulder silhouette equally invites lingering at lazy riverside picnics and exploring waterfront weekend markets — airy woolen-spun Shelter provides a lightweight layer against errant breezes. Choose a jaunty cropped style or craft a hip-length version with pockets to tuck away the little treasures that you find on your adventures.

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Please note: the stitch patterns used for this garment include written as well as charted instructions.

Construction

• The fronts, back and sleeves are worked flat from the bottom up and sewn together.
• Sizes 3–9 have a modified drop-shoulder silhouette with some underarm shaping, while Sizes 1 and 2 have a more typical drop-shoulder shape.
• The front bands and collar are worked from stitches picked up along the neckline edge and are shaped with Short Rows: German Method.
• The pattern includes two versions — a cropped version (Version I) and a hip-length version with pockets (Version II). Unless specified for a single version, pattern instructions apply to both versions.
• Version II has interior pocket linings that are knit separately and then joined to the upper fronts. Ribbed pocket edgings are worked from held live stitches below the pocket opening.

Finished Dimensions

Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9)

• 41½ (44¾, 49¼, 53¼, 56½) (61¼, 64½, 68½, 73¼)“ [105.5 (113.5, 125, 135.5, 143.5) (155.5, 164, 174, 186) cm] circumference at chest (with fronts overlapping by 1½”/4 cm)
• Version I sample shown is size 2, cropped with 10½-12½”/26.5-32 cm positive ease on models
• Version II sample shown in size 1, hip length with 5½“/14 cm positive ease on model

Need help picking a size? See our resource page on Selecting a Sweater Size

Yarn

Brooklyn Tweed Shelter – 100% American Targhee-Columbia Wool (140 yards/128 meters per 50 grams)

For Version I (cropped length):

• 12 (13, 14, 14, 15) (17, 17, 18, 19) skeins
• Photographed in color Fossil
• Note: The 4th, 5th, 7th, and 8th sizes use almost exactly 14, 15, 17, and 18 skeins, respectively. You may wish to consider purchasing an additional skein due to variations in individual work.

For Version II (hip length, with pockets):

• 15 (16, 17, 18, 19) (20, 21, 22, 23) skeins
• Note: The 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th sizes use almost exactly 20, 21, 22, and 23 skeins, respectively. You may wish to consider purchasing an additional skein due to variations in individual work.

Yardage

For Version I (cropped length):

• 1650 (1790, 1900, 1960, 2085) (2290, 2380, 2510, 2615) yards [1509 (1637, 1737, 1792, 1907) (2094, 2176, 2295, 2391) meters] of worsted weight wool yarn

For Version II (hip length, with pockets):

• 2055 (2215, 2350, 2445, 2575) (2800, 2940, 3080, 3220) yards [1879 (2025, 2149, 2236, 2355) (2560, 2688, 2816, 2944) meters] of worsted weight wool yarn

Gauge

• 19 stitches & 29 rows = 4”/10 cm in reverse stockinette stitch with Size A needle(s), after blocking
• 18½ stitches & 38 rows = 4”/10 cm in garter stitch with Size A needle(s), after blocking
• One 29-stitch panel from Bobble Panel measures 5¼”/13.5 cm wide with Size A needle(s), after blocking

Needles

Size A (for Main Fabric)

• One pair of straight needles or a 32”/80 cm circular needle in size needed to obtain gauge listed
• Suggested Size: 4 mm (US 6)

Size B (for Collar and Pocket Edgings)

• One 32”/80 cm circular needle, one size smaller than Size A
• Suggested Size: 3.75 mm (US 5)

Tutorials for all special techniques listed below are included in the pattern:

Video — Bobbles
Video — Sloped Bind Off
Video — Short Rows: German Method

Skill Level

4 out of 5: Adventurous Intermediate