The shrug begins at the back bottom edge with a stunning flower center shaped in seed stitch and bobbles. Yes, it looks complex, similar in appearance to perhaps embroidery or crewel, but if you can work seed stitch, you can win this flower’s heart. Consider skipping the bobbles and sewing on beads, instead, but the idea is to create a stunning floral heart to center your shrug’s back.

From there, the piece grows out and up into a mix of free-range intarsia and stranded knitting, free-range because the chart provided needn’t be followed religiously, only approximated since petals really are living, moving things and don’t conform to just one set of parameters. Be impressionistic. I’ve chosen a daisy-like bloom to maximize the upward dance, keeping the petals in stockinet while the background is worked in sturdy seed. I love seed stitch. I repeat, I love seed stitch!

After the intarsia petals are complete, free-spirited knitting takes over in a mix of yarn-over-knit-two-togethers, drop stitches, and bands of seed. The bobbles are echoed in some rows with a little bobbled band running down the front of the jacket.

The back, one half of each sleeve, and the sides are worked first in one piece. Regular incremental increases grow your sunflower petals on either side until the petals are left behind and bigger numbers of cast-on stitches span into sleeve-length. The fronts and sides are picked up along the long shoulder and sleeve extensions on either side to work the two from halves. Finishing touches include working a bottom edge after the sleeves are joined to achieve your preferred length and the addition of a bobble band running the around the front opening edge.

The result is evocatively spring ascending or a call to fall, depending on yarn weights and flower color. It fits loose over the sleeves and shoulders with tailored fitting around the waist through short rows in final steps.

This pattern is available through the Inspired Knitters Club Art-to-Wear subscription and is Club Issue 2 of the 2015 year.