Originally published in Making Stories Magazine, Issue 7, this pattern is available individually or as part of the complete issue. Find Merrymaker Hat and Cowl Set here.

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Merrymaker is inspired by the joy that comes through celebrations: birthday parties, backyard cookouts, showers; you name it, let’s enjoy and celebrate it! Joy is something that is very dear to me. My grandmother has been signing her cards with the words “love and joy” for as long as I could remember and when I began designing, I decided that I would take those two, very simple but powerful words and use them to inspire my patterns. Joy can come from so many places, hearing a bird sing, seeing a pretty flower, petting a dog, enjoying a great cup of tea or coffee, and the one that I feel is so important now more than ever, being with those you love. So I hope that as you make this sweater and then wear it out to parties and get-togethers, you will remember the joy that inspired this design and that you also knit your own joy and memories into it.

The colourwork design made me think of long-ago birthday parties with garlands all over the house. I wanted to recreate that happy and excited feeling for this project and hope that it translates well. In addition, the twisted rib trims and the colour palette are a bit retro to add to the nostalgic feel.

This colourwork yoked sweater is knit seamless from the top down. The neckline, hem and sleeve cuff are worked in half-twisted ribbing. After the neck ribbing is knit, short rows are worked to raise the back of the neckline slightly. A few increases are worked and then the stranded colourwork chart begins with more increases dispersed in the stockinette-only sections. After completing the yoke, sleeve stitches are placed on hold as the body of the sweater is knit in the round while continuing to work stranded colourwork to the hem. Sleeve stitches are picked up and the stranded colourwork is worked to the cuff.

Sizes

1 (2, 3, 4, 5) 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Finished bust circumference: 89 (97.75, 106.75, 115.5, 124.5) 129, 142.25, 151, 160, 169 cm / 35.5 (39, 42.75, 46.25, 49.75) 51.5, 57, 60.5, 64, 67.5” - recommended to be worn with 10-15.25 cm / 4-6” of positive ease at the bust.

Yarn

Neighborhood Fiber Co. Studio DK (100% organic Merino; 251 metres / 275 yards per 114 g)

Neighborhood Fiber Co. Suri Loft (65% Suri alpaca, 20% Merino, 15% silk; 174 metres / 190 yards per 50 g)

MC: 610 (660, 710, 780, 845) 880, 955, 1025, 1115, 1170 metres / 665 (725, 780, 855, 930) 970, 1045, 1125, 1220, 1280 yards of Studio DK

CC:85 (90, 95, 105, 110) 115, 120, 130, 140, 145 metres /95 (100, 105, 110, 120) 125, 130, 145, 155, 160 yards of Suri Loft in each contrast colour

Sample shown is knit in Studio DK colourway Roland Park (MC) and Suri Loft Victorian Village (CC1), Mt. Vernon (CC2) and Rosemont (CC3). Davina wears a size 3 with 20.75 cm / 8.25” of positive ease.

Needles

4 mm / US 6 circular needle with a cable length of at least 80 cm / 32” (or needle size to obtain colourwork gauge)

3.75 mm / US 5 circular needle with a cable length of at least 80 cm / 32” (or needle size to obtain stockinette gauge)

This pattern uses the magic loop technique. Double-pointed needles or smaller circumference cable lengths can be substituted.

Gauge

18 sts x 34 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4” (in the round, in half-twisted rib, on smaller needle, after blocking)

18 sts x 24 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4” (in the round, in stockinette stitch, on smaller needle, after blocking)

20 sts x 20 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4” (in the round, in colourwork pattern, on larger needle, after blocking)

Notions

• Blocking tools (blocking mats, t-pins)
• Darning needle
• Scissors
• Scrap yarn
• Stitch markers
• Tape measure

Finished Measurements

Neck circumference: 51 (51, 51, 53.25, 53.25) 53.25, 54.5, 54.5, 54.5, 54.5 cm / 20.5 (20.5, 20.5, 21.25, 21.25) 21.25, 21.75, 21.75, 21.75, 21.75”

Yoke depth: 24.25 (24.25, 24.25, 24.25, 25.5) 25.5, 25.5, 26.75, 26.75, 26.75 cm / 9.5 (9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 10) 10, 10, 10.5, 10.5, 10.5”

Bust circumference: 89 (97.75, 106.75, 115.5, 124.5) 129, 142.25, 151, 160, 169 cm / 35.5 (39, 42.75, 46.25, 49.75) 51.5, 57, 60.5, 64, 67.5”

Side length from underarm: 25.5 cm / 10” (customisable)

Sleeve cuff circumference: 22.25 (22.25, 23.25, 23.25, 23.25) 23.25, 25.5, 25.5, 26.75, 26.75 cm / 9 (9, 9.25, 9.25, 9.25) 9.25, 10.25, 10.25, 10.75, 10.75”

Upper sleeve circumference: 32.25 (34.5, 36.75, 41, 43.25) 45.5, 47.75, 50, 54.5, 56.75 cm / 13 (13.75, 14.75, 16.5, 17.25) 18.25, 19, 20, 21.75, 22.75”

Sleeve length from underarm: 33 (33, 33, 33, 35) 35, 35, 37, 37, 37 cm / 13.25 (13.25, 13.25, 13.25, 14) 14, 14, 14.75, 14.75, 14.75”

Contributors

• Photography, Hair & Make-up: Melinda Dela Costa
• Model: Davina Ogigai
• Tech Editing: Marina Skua & Jessica Schwab
• Graphic Design: Camille Romano

Merrymaker is one of the 12 modern, super wearable patterns featured in Issue 7 of Making Stories Magazine.

Accessibility: The Merrymaker pattern is available from Making Stories in an accessible format. It is written in 22 point, all black Verdana text. No italics are used. All directions are fully written out, and all charted directions have been written and incorporated into the accessible version. Abbreviations have been removed to allow the pattern to be read clearly by screen reader software.

Issue 7 is available through our webshop in print and digital as well as in a subscription, through our Ravelry store as a digital version and our stockists.

About Making Stories Magazine

With Making Stories Magazine, we strive to feature companies and makers who focus on sustainability, transparency, fairness and equity in their work. We love telling their stories and hope to inspire and enable crafters to make conscious and informed decisions about the materials they use and the companies they support.