Wonderfully squishy cables and all over texture make Birch irresistible and cozy. The knitting is both simple and fun as you move through the various textures. A boxy fit is created by a modified drop shoulder construction. Folded neckband and cuffs add to the overall coziness. Birch is worked bottom up in the round until the underarm. The front and back are worked flat. Shoulders are joined using the three needle bind off for a strong and easy to work join. Sleeves are picked up around the armhole and worked top down.

A written tutorial on how to work Birch’s folded neckline can be found on my blog here.

Birch is part of the Woodland Ramble collection which is available as an ebook and print book. You can find the book on my website here.

SIZES
(2, 4, 6) (8, 10, 12) years

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Finished chest measurement: (24, 25.5, 28) (29.5, 32, 36) inches / (60, 64, 70) (74, 80, 90) cm.

Positive ease is built into the sizing for a boxy fit. Choose the size nearest the recipient’s size in ready-to-wear clothing or go up a size for extended wear.

YARN
(3, 4, 4) (5, 5, 6) skeins De Rerum Natura Ulysse.

Or (560, 646, 762) (881, 1012, 1201) yards / (512, 591, 697) (806, 925, 1098) meters sport weight yarn.

NEEDLES
One 32 inch (80 cm) US size 5 (3.75 mm) (or size needed to obtain gauge), and one 32 inch (80 cm) US size 3 (3.25 mm) (or two whole US sizes smaller than gauge needle) circular knitting needles.

NOTIONS
Fourteen stitch markers, double pointed needle or cable needle (for working cables), waste yarn, and a tapestry needle.

GAUGE
24 stitches and 38 RNDS = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette on US size 5 (3.75 mm) needles.

21.5 stitches and 43 RNDS = 4 inches / 10 cm in moss stitch (Chart C) on US size 5 (3.75 mm) needles.

25.5 stitches and 43 RNDS = 4 inches / 10 cm in double moss stitch (Chart A) on US size 5 (3.75 mm) needles.

Center cable is 3 inches / 7.5 cm wide.

Side cable is 1.5 inches / 4 cm wide.

SKILL LEVEL & SKILLS REQ’D
Intermediate

Decrease (k2tog & ssk), pick up and knit, work cables, read a chart.