We love Maple—it’s semi-cropped in the body; it features a cushy brioche collar that hugs the neck; and it features fitted sleeves and a narrow back neck for a close fit where it counts. The best part of the knitting here is in working two stitch patterns with varying row gauges (brioche and stockinette) at the same time, balanced out by strategically-placed short rows in the trim.

Shown in size 40½“ / 103 cm on a 32” / 81.5 cm, 5’10” / 178 cm tall model (8½” / 21.5 cm positive ease)

yarn
owl / 8 (8, 9, 10, 11) (12, 13, 14, 15) skeins Barred 307

needles
32” circular in sizes US 7 and 8 / 4.5 and 5 mm
set dpns in sizes US 7 and 8 / 4.5 and 5 mm

gauge
18 sts and 26 rows = 4” / 10 cm in stockinette stitch with larger needles, after blocking
16 sts and 34 rows = 4” / 10 cm in half brioche stitch with larger needles, after blocking

skills required
Long-tail, cable, and backward loop cast ons, brioche, yarnover short rows, picking up stitches, three-needle bind off, seaming (links/illustrated tutorials provided); increasing, decreasing, working small circumferences in the round.