This pattern is a collaboration with a yarn company Dehesa Lana https://dehesalana.com/

DehesaLana began its journey in 2015, when members from different professions and disciplines decided to launch an initiative to return wool to homes and textile workshops and rescue a local indigenous resource. Because it allows the recovery of traditional crafts that are about to be forgotten and is also a resource for collective creation and to strengthen the community. Undoubtedly revaluing wool allows us to promote extensive livestock farming that leaves an enormous value in the territory, preserving and improving the natural environment.

Check the DehesaLana website to find out more about this amazing project and also to find kits for the Squirrel Nest Sweater.

Where, on his bed of wool and matted leaves,
He has outslept the winter, ventures forth
To frisk a while, and bask in the warm sun,
The squirrel, flippant, pert, and full of play.
The Squirrel
by William Cowper

A walk in the woods, surrounded by oak groves and vineyards. Suddenly, a squirrel pokes its tiny head out of its nest, made of twigs and oak leaves. It carries an acorn in its mouth. For one captivating moment we stare at each other. He fades away, but the pattern of that instant spins in my head.

Squirrel Nest is a circular yoke that is worked seamlessly from the top down. The neck is worked first, after that, several series of short rows are used for a comfortable and beautifully shaped finish.
The yoke is shaped with increases that are evenly distributed around the entire circumference of the upper body.
Sleeves are then placed on hold and the body is worked toward the hem.
The sleeve stitches are then placed on the needles again and worked in the round toward the cuffs.
Beginner-friendly as you only work with 2 colors at a time.
Please note that the stranded pattern is charted only.
As the top is knitted top-down lengths are easily adaptable.
Please, read the whole pattern carefully before you start knitting. As the pattern gives detailed calculations for all sizes, I recommend highlighting all numbers related to your size to have an easy overview of the pattern.

Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Bust circumference of the finished sweater: 78 (88, 98, 109, 118, 127, 138) cm / 30¾, (34¾, 38½, 43, 46½, 50, 54¼ )’’. The sweater is designed to be worn with approximately 0-5 cm / 0-2’’ of positive ease.
Model has 85 cm / 33½’’ bust, stands 164 cm / 64½’’ and is wearing size 2.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
A = Bust circumference
B = Yoke depth
C = Length from armhole to lower edge
D = Sleeves length (from underarm)
E = Armhole circumference

Yarn Dehesa Lana 100% Spanish Merino wool from Extremadura, 100 g — 250 m
Sample shown in shade natural white — (MC), natural brown — (CC)
MC: 1006 (1189, 1326, 1418, 1555, 1738, 1829) m / 1100 (1300, 1450, 1550, 1700, 1900, 2000) yds
CC: 174 (193, 220, 238, 257, 275, 284) m / 190 (210, 240, 260, 280, 300, 310) yds

Needles
3,25 mm / US 3 circular needle 24”/60 cm or 32”/80 cm and 3,75 mm / US 5 circular needle 24”/60 cm or 32”/80 cm

Notions
1 stitch marker • waste yarn for holding the sleeve stitches • tapestry needle to weave in the yarn ends • 3,5 mm crochet hook for provisional cast-on

Gauge
22 sts and 34 rows - 10x10 cm / 4x4’’ in stockinette stitch in the round and in colorwork pattern with 3,75 mm / US needles, washed and blocked.
You may want to go up in needle size if your colorwork swatch is tight.