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INTRO

Blues are small, dainty butterflies that are found throughout the world. As a child, I found them absolutely enchanting because they are like pieces of sky dancing around. If you’re lucky, you can catch sight of them in large numbers.

When I started designing Happy Blues, I realized that the pattern could easily accommodate a flower motif of the same size as the blues, and since bluebells (a favorite flower of mine) have a similar color, I created the Happy Bluebell motif option. Whether you prefer butterflies or flowers, there is a motif for you!

Happy Blues has a top-down raglan construction and is worked completely in the round. Each band of colorwork comprises eight rounds and is separated by four rounds worked with the main color only. Because of these mini breaks, the colorwork portions fly by. There is also a steeking option for those who wish to make a cardigan. The colorwork is worked using charts, and video tutorials are included. Written instructions are not included.

Happy Blues includes four separate files, which are divided into the following size ranges: 1-5, 6-10, 11-15 and 16-19. You need only download and work the file that includes your size.

SKILL LEVEL

Intermediate

SKILLS REQUIRED

Knitting in the round, stranded colorwork, knitting/working colorwork in small circumferences

SIZING

File 1: Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4, 5)

To fit a chest circumference of 28 (30, 32, 34, 36) in / 70 (75, 80, 85, 90) cm

Finished chest circumference: 30 (31.75, 33.5, 35.75, 37.75) in / 75 (79.5, 84, 89.5, 94.5) cm

Intended to fit with 1.5 – 2 in / 4 – 5 cm of positive ease in the chest.

File 2: Sizes 6 (7, 8, 9, 10)

To fit a chest circumference of 38 (40, 42, 44, 46) in / 95 (100, 105, 110, 115) cm

Finished chest circumference: 40 (41.25, 43.5, 45.75, 47.75) in / 100 (103, 109, 114.5, 119.5) cm

Intended to fit with 1.5 – 2 in / 4 – 5 cm of positive ease in the chest.

File 3: Sizes 11 (12, 13, 14, 15)

To fit a chest circumference of 48 (50, 52, 54, 56) in / 120 (125, 130, 135, 140) cm

Finished chest circumference: 49.5 (52.5, 54.25, 56, 58.25) in / 124 (131.5, 135.5, 140, 145.5) cm

Intended to fit with 1.5 – 2.5 in / 4 – 6.5 cm of positive ease in the chest.

File 4: Sizes 16 (17, 18, 19)

To fit a chest circumference of 58 (60, 62, 64) in / 145 (100, 150, 155, 160) cm

Finished chest circumference: 60.25 (62, 64.25, 66) in / 150.5 (155, 160.5, 165) cm

Intended to fit with 2 – 2.25 in / 5 – 5.5 cm of positive ease in the chest.

BLOCKED GAUGE

Ribbing: 30 sts and 36 rnds = 4 in / 10 cm using size US 2 / 2.75 mm needles

Colorwork: 27 sts and 32 rnds = 4 in / 10 cm using size US 4 / 3.5 mm needles

NEEDLES

The needle sizes below are a suggestion. Use the needle size that achieves gauge for you. It is recommended to swatch in the round.

Ribbing: US 2 / 2.75 mm needles circulars, 16 in / 40 cm for neckband and 32 in / 80 cm or longer for hem and cuffs; DPNs or small circumference circulars if not using magic loop for cuffs

Colorwork: US 4 / 3.5 mm needles, 24 in / 60 cm for the upper yoke and 32 in / 80 cm or longer for the yoke, body and sleeves; DPNs or small circumference circulars if not using magic loop for sleeves

NOTIONS

5 markers, including 1 unique BOR marker; scrap yarn for holding sleeve sts; sewing pins for tacking folded hem and cuffs in place; and darning needle for whipstitching hem and cuffs and for weaving in ends. If steeking, 2 additional markers, thread or additional scrap yarn split into threads and a sewing needle for backstitching.

Optional: Additional markers for separating chart repeats

YARN

Any fingering or sport weight yarn that achieves gauge. If steeking, you may wish to use a non superwash yarn for better felting, but if you follow the steeking method used here superwash will work fine.

YARDAGE

Yardage includes a 15% buffer for slight variations in gauge, as well as an extra amount for steeking.

Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4, 5)

MC: 907 (1023, 1079, 1130, 1189) yards / 830 (936, 987, 1034, 1088) meters

CC: 355 (414, 440, 462, 491) yards / 325 (379, 403, 423, 449) meters

Sizes 6 (7, 8, 9, 10)

MC: 1273 (1361, 1431, 1488, 1560) yards / 1165 (1245, 1309, 1361, 1427) meters

CC: 528 (574, 605, 631, 665) yards / 483 (525, 554, 577, 609) meters

Sizes 11 (12, 13, 14, 15)

MC: 1712 (1815, 1877, 1952, 2030) yards / 1566 (1660, 1717, 1785, 1857) meters

CC: 743 (791, 821, 856, 894) yards / 680 (724, 751, 783, 818) meters

Sizes 16 (17, 18, 19)

MC: 2208 (2277, 2361, 2428) yards / 2019 (2083, 2159, 2221) meters

CC: 984 (1019, 1060, 1093) yards / 900 (932, 970, 1000) meters