Bottle Rocket by Michelle Porter

Bottle Rocket

Knitting
September 2016
Bulky (7 wpi) ?
12.5 stitches and 17 rows = 4 inches
in St st
US 10½ - 6.5 mm
945 - 1350 yards (864 - 1234 m)
Man S(M, L, X-L, 2X-L) Finished Chest: 42.25(46, 50, 53.75, 57.5) ins/ 107.5(117, 127, 136.5, 146) cm
English
This pattern is available for free.

NOTE: Please buy an extra skein of yarn for this project! Not all skeins are the same length in B&L. -Two sweaters in medium, one used ALL of 7 skeins only, the next used ALL of 8 skeins. (8 skeins are listed)
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This is the men’s hoodie that he asks for, plain and simple. It’s worked in thick, bulky, natural wool for the outdoors-man. It has all the features of a regular hoodie, plus one extra – a bottle pocket. This extra little pocket is perfect for your water bottle (or more likely a beer) when you need your hands free. This is what he will wear when fishing, camping, hiking or working in the woods.

I’ve chosen to use Briggs & Little Atlantic for this rustic sweater, mostly because it wears like iron. For pure wool, you would be hard pressed to find a yarn that is as durable and that repels dirt in the same way. The available colors are very “man friendly” and this heather brown was chosen in person at the mill by my husband. Something else of note, this is the 100 year anniversary of the Briggs & Little Woolen Mill name - although the mill itself has actually been around for over 150 years! It is Canada’s oldest woolen mill.

The sweater is an easy knit, with top down raglan construction worked mostly in the round, beginning at the hood. It should fit loosely with approx 6-8 inches/15-20.5 cm of positive ease.

Details:
There are a few places in the pattern where you will need to work back and forth in rows. There is sewing at the pocket and grafting or “Kitchener” at the top of the hood (alternatively it can be joined with 3 needle bind off). There are stitches to be picked up around the hood opening and at the pocket openings.

Yarn:
You will need 7 (8, 9, 10, 10) skeins, at 135 yd/ 123 m per skein - MC and 1 or part ball of CC.

Needles:
6.5mm/ US 10 1/2 circular needles in lengths: 32-40 inch, 24 inch and 12-16 inch, plus a spare to use as holder.

Notions:
Stitch markers, point protectors, stitch holders, waste yarn and yarn needle.