Unicorn Tapestry Sweater KNITTING PATTERN | colorwork medieval sweater pattern

PDF DOWNLOAD for a KNITTING PATTERN, not a physical sweater :)

An heirloom sweater inspired by the medieval "Unicorn Rests in a Garden" tapestry. The colorwork panel was hand-drawn as a fairytale interpretation of the iconic tapestry, and the sleeve cuffs are finished in a ring of sweet flowers. The body is worked flat and then seamed at the underarms, with the folded collar and sleeves worked in the round.

GAUGE: 20st & 26 rows in 4" (10 cm) in colorwork and stockinette

YARN: Cascade 220 Sport (100% Peruvian highland wool; 50g / 150m / 164 yds per skein). If substituting, I recommend a non-superwash wool DK weight yarn.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: this pattern is best for intermediate to advanced knitters who have experience with stranded colorwork, especially worked flat or worked with 3 colors. You also have the option to use duplicate stitch for the entire motif on the back if you aren't comfortable with stranded knitting worked flat. This pattern assumes you're comfortable with standard knitting pattern conventions; it defines all terms used and links to video tutorials, but assumes you are experienced and comfortable with practicing any skills or techniques you don't know.

FIT: This sweater is meant to be worn with ~6” (15cm) positive ease at the bust and a slightly drop-shouldered silhouette. Add the positive ease to your full bust measurement, and then choose a size whose full bust measurement is closest to that measurement. If you’re in between sizes, size up. Please see photos for full sizing chart-- measurements listed are of the finished garment including ease.

YARN ESTIMATES for sizes (1; 2; 3) (4; 5; 6) (7; 8; 9):
Cardigan base color (8393 Navy):  (300; 325; 350) (395; 440; 490) (545; 585; 620) grams / (985; 1070; 1155) (1290; 1445; 1615) (1795; 1915; 2035) yards / (905; 980; 1055) (1180; 1320; 1475) (1640; 1750; 1865) meters
Unicorn & light flowers (8010 Natural): (20; 20; 20) (20; 25; 25) (25; 25; 25) grams / (65; 65; 65) (65; 85; 85) (85; 85; 85) yards / (60; 60; 60) (60; 75; 75) (75; 75; 75) meters
Green plants (8914 Granny Smith): (10; 10; 10) (10; 15; 15) (15; 15; 15) grams / (30; 30; 30) (30; 35; 35) (35; 35; 35) yards / (25; 25; 25) (25; 35; 35) (35; 35; 35) meters
Red & Blue accent flowers: ~5 yards / meters (you can use scrap yarn); or simply knit these flowers as white if you’d rather not use any extra colors.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
- US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles (or whatever needle size achieves gauge), with a 32”+ / 80cm cable; used for knitting body flat, and knitting sleeves in the round with magic loop or traveling loop technique
- US 3 (3.25 mm) circular needles with with a 32”+ / 80cm cable; for ribbed hems on body and sleeves
- 2 locking stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving ends

TECHNIQUES USED:
- 3-color and 2-color stranded knitting worked flat
- duplicate stitch
- increases & decreases
- German short rows
- double-knit button band with buttonholes
- picking up stitches
- knitting flat & in the round

This pattern and the objects made from it are for personal, non-commercial use only.