7/19/23: Updated the PDF options to include original format in order to correct an error introduced at layout stage.

DESCRIPTION:

Very Bad Lizard: a Very Bad Pun on the literal meaning of the word “dinosaur”, or “terrible lizard”.

Very Bad Lizard: a Very Good Sweater. Very Bad Lizard is a slightly cropped, bottom-up, drop shoulder pullover featuring a large colorwork motif along the bottom edge of the body. It has a scooped neckline and full-length, close-fitting sleeves.

This pattern includes a tutorial on ladderback jacquard float management, available as a separate download.

SIZING:

This pattern has been made as #sizeinclusive as possible while still remaining faithful to the main motif across all sizes.

This pattern is designed to be loose and slightly boxy in the body, but snug in the sleeves. It is meant to be worn with 4-6” (10-15 cm) of positive ease. If you choose a size closer to your actual chest measurement, you may want to choose a size up when it comes to the sleeve proportions.

The three largest sizes have been designed to have more ease in the front portion of the sweater versus the rear.

Sizes by finished bust circumference:
In inches: 34 (38, 42, 46, 50) 54, 58, 62, 66
In centimeters: 86.5 (96.5, 107, 117, 127) 137, 147, 157.5, 167.5

PATTERN PHOTOS:

The primary photos are modeled by the designer, but taken roughly a year apart. In both sets of photos, Jen is wearing the 54” (137 cm) size. In the earlier (blue-haired) photos, Very Bad Lizard is being worn with 4” (10 cm) of positive ease, while in the later (teal-haired) photos, the sweater is worn with 2” (5 cm) of positive ease.

GAUGE:

24 sts x 30 rounds over 4” (10 cm) in stockinette after blocking. Depending on your style of knitting, you may need to go up or down a needle size in order to obtain gauge on stranded colorwork. Your gauge should be consistent across stranded and plain knitting.

It is strongly recommended that you knit a stranded colorwork swatch with your chosen yarns to check your gauge and practice ladderback jacquard float management. A colorwork swatch chart is included with the pattern.

RECOMMENDED NEEDLES:

Body:

For ribbing: US 2 (2.75 mm) circulars
- 32-40” (80-100 cm) cable length recommended

For main body: Two sets of US 5 (3.75 mm) circulars
- 32-40” (80-100 cm) cable length recommended

Neckline:

US 2 (2.75 mm) circulars
- 16” (40 cm) cable length recommended

For small circumference knitting (sleeves), use your preferred method for knitting in the round and the same sizes of needles used for main body and ribbing.

NOTIONS:

• stitch markers to mark intervals within colorwork (anywhere between 20-40 markers depending on size being knit)
• stitch holders or scrap yarn
• tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

YARN

This sweater is designed for fingering weight wool/wool blend. I used Graphic Dyeworks Baseline -- an 80/20 merino/nylon blend that clocks in at 400 yds (365 m) per 100 g. This yarn has a soft, fluffy feel to it, with more loft than many typical 80/20 blends. Unfortunately, this particular base is being discontinued by the dyer, so I recommend trying to find a similar 80/20 wool/nylon blend to substitute.

It is recommended that you choose colors with strong contrast. Using a solid color for at least one of your yarns is strongly advised.

Main Color:
Yards: 700 (800, 950, 1100, 1200) 1300, 1450, 1600, 1800
Meters: 650 (750, 875, 1000, 1100 ) 1200, 1325, 1475, 1650

Contrasting Color:
Main Color:
Yards: 200 (200, 225, 250, 275) 300, 350, 400, 475
Meters: 200 (200, 225, 250, 250) 275, 325, 375, 450

If you plan to add length to the body of your sweater, you will need to budget additional yardage for your MC yarn. A chart is included that lists the amounts needed for each additional 1” (2.5 cm) of body length.

Other possible yarns:

Dream in Color Smooshy
Hazel Knits Blueprint
Hjertegarn Sock Wool
Knit Picks Stroll Fingering
madelinetosh Twist Light
Malabrigo Sock
Scheepjes Metropolis
Sheepish Fibre Art Proper Sock
SweetGeorgia Tough Love Sock
Wat Wollie Sock
WildStar Fibers Supernova Sock

SHARING:

See photos of other Very Bad Lizard sweaters and share pics of your own progress on Instagram with the hashtag #VeryBadLizard. Don’t forget to tag @tentacularly so I can see it, too!