**Note: You are buying the PDF ONLY, not a finished piece. You will be able to instantly download this PDF, which gives you instructions as to how to make your own VEM sweater. Due to the nature of this product, PDF patterns cannot be returned or refunded.**

Anyone who has knit one of my patterns knows that texture and small details are my thing. I love to incorporate these elements into my designs; they add interest without over-complicating the piece itself. VEM is a collaboration between my daughter Violet and me. She knows that, out of all the possible details I could include in a design, bobbles are my absolute favourite. We worked together to incorporate her preferred fit (oversized), my preferred shape (balloon), and the detail we both love (bobbles) into the ultimate, most comfortable, raglan sweater we could. Violet and I then consulted her little brother, Hugo, for final design approval. Super snuggly, hand dyed merino by Knitcraft and Knittery brings the whole piece together. Now we’re sharing VEM with you, and we all hope you love it.

FIT AND CONSTRUCTION
VEM is an oversized sweater and is worked top-down, mostly in the round, starting from the ribbed neckband. Short rows are used to shape the neckline. The entire body is worked in the round, except for the hem; the front hem and back hem are worked flat. A few increases are worked after sleeve separation to achieve a slight “balloon” shape on the body. Sleeves are tapered and worked in the round. Raglan and false seam details are worked as you go and full written instructions are given.

MATERIALS & NOTIONS
-Knitcraft and Knittery DK weight merino OR any other DK yarn with a high wool/merino content; 462/513/564/615/680/745/865/905/975m required
-One set of 3.5mm/US 4 60-80cm flat or circular needles, plus one extra set of 3.5mm/US 4 needles for tubular bind-off
-One set of 4mm/US 6 40cm circular needles (for the neckband), plus one extra set of 4mm/US 6 80-100cm circular needles (for the body, and the arms)
-1 stitch marker for marking the beginning of the round, plus 8 different stitch markers, for raglan detail
-Stitch holders, or scrap yarn
-Darning/embroidery needle

SIZES & EASE
To fit chest measurement: 51cm (53.5cm, 56cm, 58.5cm, 61cm, 63.5cm, 67cm, 71cm, 76cm)
Finished chest measurement: 71cm (73cm, 76cm, 78cm, 81cm, 84cm, 87cm, 91cm, 96cm)

This children’s sweater has been designed with a large amount of positive ease, to achieve a comfortable and oversized look. The intended fit is approximately 20cm of positive ease at the chest. The upper arms are also oversized, but taper to achieve a close fit at the wrist, for practical reasons. The body length is intended to fall at or just below the hip line, but as the sweater is worked top-down, the length is customisable. As always, age/size chart is based on average sizing and is a guide only. I strongly recommend working a gauge swatch before starting, counting stitches and rounds both before and after blocking it. Model wears a size 4. He has a chest circumference of 50cm, and is average height.

GAUGE
20 sts/32 rounds over 10cm in stocking st on 4mm needles

TECHNIQUES
This pattern uses German short rows for shaping, and tubular cast-on and bind-off techniques. If you’re not familiar with these techniques, I recommend familiarising yourself with them before you begin.
A video of the bobble method used in this pattern can be found in the “Bobbles!” highlight on my Instagram profile.

This pattern has been professionally tech edited, and has been test knitted.

Thank you to Cat Timms, for her beautiful images; Kristina McGrath, for her tech editing skills; Morgan Capestrain, of Knitcraft & Knittery, for yarn support; and my wonderful test knitters, for sharing their time and feedback.

If you like my work and would like to see more of my patterns, please check out my Ravelry store: www.ravelry.com/stores/boris--stasha-design