Too-ticky by Julia Wilkens

Too-ticky

Knitting
November 2025
DK (11 wpi) ?
18 stitches and 38 rows = 4 inches
in Half Fisherman's Rib (Variation)
US 2½ - 3.0 mm
US 6 - 4.0 mm
1280 - 2500 yards (1170 - 2286 m)
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9)
English Finnish

A classic raglan sweater is a must-knit — a time­less design worth making at least once in a lifetime. This version is inspired by the striped sweater worn by the character Too-ticky. Based on Tove Jansson’s life partner, Tuulikki Pietilä, Too-ticky lives in harmony with nature and its creatures. The stitch pattern, a variation of half-fisherman’s rib, shines in a bouncy three-ply yarn with strong stitch definition, creating a beautifully squishy fabric. Generous positive ease through the body, combined with slightly less ease in the sleeves, gives the sweater a relaxed fit without excess bulk.

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

Recommended ease: Approx. 6.5–7.25” / 16.5–18.5 cm of positive ease.

Finished Measurements
Chest Circumference: 37.25 (41.75, 44.5, 49, 53.25) (57, 61.25, 65, 68.5)“ / 94.5 (106, 113, 124.5, 135.5) (145, 155.5, 165, 174) cm.

Neck Circumference: 14.75 (16, 16.75, 17.25, 19.25) (20.75, 21.25, 22, 23.25)“ / 37.5 (40.5, 42.5, 44, 49) (52.5, 54, 56, 59) cm.

Sleeve Circumference: 12 (13.25, 14.25, 16, 17) (17.75, 19.5, 21, 21.75)“ / 30.5 (33.5, 36, 40.5, 43) (45, 49.5, 53.5, 55) cm.

Sleeve Length from Underarm: 16.5 (17, 17, 17.5, 17.5) (18, 18, 18.5, 18.5)“ / 42 (43, 43, 44.5, 44.5) (45.5, 45.5, 47, 47) cm.

Total Length: 22.5 (23, 23.25, 23.5, 23.75) (24, 24, 24.5, 24.5)“ / 57 (58.5, 59, 69.5, 60.5) (61, 61, 62, 62) cm.

Materials
Yarn: Tandem by West Wool (100% South American Merino wool, 254 yds / 233 m – 100 g).
C1: 3 (3, 3, 4, 4) (4, 5, 5, 5) skeins in the colourway Birch Tree.
C2: 3 (3, 3, 4, 4) (4, 5, 5, 5) skeins in the colourway Red Hot.

Or approx. 640 (710, 740, 860, 930) (1000, 1090, 1190, 1250) yds / 585 (650, 680, 785, 850) (915, 1000, 1090, 1145) m each in 2 different colours of DK-weight yarn.

Alternative yarn options are for example Jensen Yarn by Isager, Basic Merino by Katia or Merino 120 by Lang Yarns.

Needles: US 2.5 / 3 mm (for neckband and cuffs) and US 6 / 4 mm (for body) 40” / 100 cm circular needles.

Notions: 9 stitch markers (including 1 visually distinct and one removable marker), stitch holders or waste yarn.

Gauge
18 sts × 38 rnds and rows to 4” / 10 cm on US 6 / 4 mm needles in Half Fisherman’s Rib (Variation), after blocking.

24 sts × 32 rnds to 4” / 10 cm on US 2.5 / 3 mm needles in St St, after blocking.  

20 sts × 36 rnds to 4” / 10 cm on US 2.5 / 3 mm needles in 1 × 1 Rib, after blocking.