Kitsune is the Japanese word for fox, though it also refers to the fox spirits prevalent in Japanese mythology. Able to shift between human and animal form, kitsune frequently appear as beautiful women in order to trick humans or to offer them magical support. A kitsune can be distinguished by its multiple tails, most commonly five or nine. More tails come with long life—only the wisest and oldest kitsune possess nine tails.

Kitsunetsuki is a sleek cardigan designed to bring out the fox in you. Its fitted shape emphasizes the figure, while details on the front resemble a fox’s head and the five-strand cable on the back recalls the five tails of a kitsune.

NOTES

• The body of this cardigan is worked back and forth in one piece from the lower edge to the underarms. The sleeves are worked separately in the round, then the sleeves and body are joined to work the yoke.
• Each Front chart shows two sizes: the chart for the smaller size is outlined in color, while the whole chart applies to the larger size.
• A circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches.