Knit entirely seamlessly from the top down, this sweater is the perfect outer layer for those transitional times of year and as a layering piece during the coldest months. A cozy rolled collar and long, fitted sleeves help to block out the chill.

Ellyce starts at the neck and uses raglan shaping. After the sleeve stitches are divided from the body stitches, gentle waist shaping leads into dramatic flares at the back to form the pleats. Before the body is finished, stitches are picked up along the sides and around the neck to form the cozy collar and front bands. Finally, the sleeves are knit down from the yoke. The only finishing you will need to do is weave in a few ends. If desired, mattress stitch can be used to temporarily sew up the pleats for blocking so that they fold nicely.

To knit this pattern, you will need to know how to:

• knit and purl,
• work flat and in the round,
• do directional increases (m1L and m1R) and decreases (k2tog and ssk),
• pick up stitches from an edge,
• seam using mattress stitch (used only to help block pleats; optional), and
• work shaping in multiple areas simultaneously.

Although the stitch pattern is suitable for a beginner, this pattern requires the knitter to work raglan and neckline shaping at the same time.

Yarn requirements: 9, 10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 16) skeins of the suggested yarn, or approximately 1100, 1200 (1300, 1400, 1500, 1700, 1850) yds./1005, 1100 (1190, 1280, 1375, 1555, 1695) m of DK or light worsted weight yarn

Note: The yarn requirements are generous for this pattern to allow the knitter extra for swatching and lengthening the sweater, if desired. You may find that you need much less than the amount suggested, depending on your row gauge.

Notions needed:
5 stitch markers
2 locking stitch markers (optional)
yarn needle
nonwool scrap yarn

Tech editing by KTLV and eledixon
Pattern layout by WeirdyPants