This whole project got started when a long lost high school chum, who lives on the other side of the world, asked if I ever sold my knitting. Well, rarely. However, this friend happens to be a fabulous encaustic artist, and I fell in love with one of her bird paintings after I started following her on Instagram (@studioreset239).

When she posted she wished someone would hand-knit a sweater for her, in yarn of her latest favourite colour, “Honfleur,” I made an offer to trade craft for craft and she accepted.

This is the sweater I made for her, using yarn that was specially hand-dyed for the project by @smallbirdworkshop

Sizes XS (S, M, L, XL) 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, with finished bust sizes measuring: 31 1/4 (35 1/4, 39 1/4, 43 1/4, 47 1/4.) 51 1/4, 55 1/4, 59 1/4, 63 1/4.” / 79.5 (89.5, 99.5, 110, 120) 130, 140.5, 150.5, 160.5 cm.

Sample is size L worn with .”/0.5cm positive ease.

The top is knit bottom up in 4 flat pieces and sewn together, with the collar knit onto the front and back pieces. The pattern is written to include a stranded hummingbird motif on the back, but it can also be added by duplicate stitch if you prefer that method.

Materials:

4-ply worsted weight Merino, 175y/160m in 100g, 1172 (1296, 1451, 1588, 1739) 1901, 2062, 2251, 2392 y / 1071 (1185, 1326, 1452, 1590) 1738, 1885, 2058, 2186 m, total, broken down as follows:

• C1 (darkest brown) - 183 (203, 227, 249, 273) 299, 326, 356, 378 y / 165 (184, 207, 228, 248) 270, 293, 318, 338 m

• C2 (dark brown) - 183 (203, 227, 249, 273) 299, 326, 356, 378 y / 165 (184, 207, 228, 248) 270, 293, 318, 338 m

• C3 (medium brown) - 183 (203, 227, 249, 273) 299, 326, 356, 378 y / 165 (184, 207, 228, 248) 270, 293, 318, 338 m

• C4 (cream) – 30y/ 27 m

• MC (lightest brown) - 593 (657, 740, 810, 888) 973, 1055, 1154, 1228 y / 537 (597, 675, 740, 806) 880, 952, 1035, 1097 m

This sample made from a limited-edition batch of custom dyed yarn from Small Bird Workshop.

Tools:

Smaller needles – US 6 (4mm) circular needle, or size smaller than larger needle; larger needle – US 7 (4.5mm), or size necessary to obtain gauge; tapestry needle.

Gauge:

20 sts/24 rows over 4”/10cm in stockinette in on larger needle, blocked.