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Pattern now includes yardage and instructions for long sleeves!

INTRO

Did you know that rattlesnake mothers care for their young for about a week after they hatch? This behavior is rare in the world of reptiles. There are currently 36 known species of rattlesnake, and some are quite docile. All are venomous, though to varying degrees. I think they are fascinating (from a distance)!

The Rattlesnake sweater is largely inspired by this creepy but beautiful creature. The neckline is dotted with a series of cluster stitches, reminiscent of the snake’s rattle, but the colorwork at the bottom of the yoke also features rattle patterns. The diamond shapes that widen into the yoke were designed from the patterns of the eastern diamondback rattlesnake. However, the main theme of the sweater is the desert. As a family, we are starting to vacation in southern Arizona every year. The mountains, the desert, and the flora and fauna are all spectacular. When we visited Saguaro National Park in Tucson, I was struck by the breathtaking panorama of saguaro cacti with giant mountains in the backdrop. This view stayed with me and formed the basis of this design.

Rattlesnake features a top-down seamless construction with a somewhat slouchy fit. Optional waist shaping is included. With a colorwork yoke and DK weight yarn, the tee is warm and suitable year-round, but it might be best to wear at night during the hot summer months.

SKILL LEVEL

Intermediate

SKILLS REQUIRED

Knitting in the round, stranded colorwork

SIZING

All of my patterns are #sizeinclusive.

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

To fit bust circumference of 28 (32, 36, 40, 44) (48, 52, 56, 60, 64) in/70 (80, 90, 100, 110) (120, 130, 140, 150, 160) cm

Finished bust circumference: 30.75 (36, 39.5, 42.75, 48) (51.5, 54.75, 60, 63.5, 66.75) in/77 (90, 99, 107, 120) (129, 137, 150, 159, 167) cm

Intended to fit with 2-4 in/5-10 cm of positive ease. Gray, purple, orange and black sample pictured is size 3 on a 37 in/94 cm bust with 2.5 in/6 cm of positive ease. For more sizing info, see Schematic at left.

BLOCKED GAUGE

Colorwork and stockinette: 21 sts and 26 rnds = 4 in/10 cm on main needles

Ribbing: 21 sts and 30 rnds = 4 in/10 cm on ribbing needles

NEEDLES

The needle sizes below were used for the design samples. Please adjust needle sizes if needed to get gauge, especially when transitioning from colorwork to plain stockinette.

Ribbing: Size US 5/3.75 mm circulars, 24 in/60 cm long for the neckband and at least 32 in/80 cm long for the hem (and cuffs if using magic loop); DPNs or small circumference circular needles for the cuffs if not using magic loop

Main: Size US 7/4.5 mm circulars, 24 in/60 cm long for upper yoke and at least 32 in/80 cm long for the body (and sleeves if using magic loop); DPNs or small circumference circular needles for the sleeves if not using magic loop

NOTIONS

5 markers including 1 unique BOR; scrap yarn for sleeves; darning needle for weaving in ends; and darning needle, cable needle or DPN for working the cluster stitches

YARN AND YARDAGE

Less Traveled Yarn Tweed Me DK, 85% SW Merino 15% Donegal Nep, 231 yards/211 meters per skein or any DK weight yarn

Yardage includes a 10% buffer.

Yardage for short sleeves and long sleeves is provided in the table at left. For the gray, black, purple and orange sample, gray is MC, black is CC1, purple is CC2 and orange is CC3.

For each additional inch/2.5 cm of body length added: 14 (17, 18, 20, 22) (24, 25, 27, 29, 30) yards/13 (16, 17, 19, 21) (22, 23, 25, 27, 28) meters of MC

Long sleeve sample was knit by Heather (heybulldogknits), and the project page can be viewed here.