Ornamental Fern

PDF file with knitting instructions

Use the coupon FERN to get 50% off

I’ve been growing a collection of ferns in my home for some time now. I must have around twelve pots, some in my indoor garden and some outside. Some have a graceful cloud of delicate mid-green leaves, while others are more robust, with strong, dark green fronds. They are all diva plants… their needs must be met, otherwise they will look thoroughly miserable. But I don’t mind the trouble, I’m completely in love with all of them.

This pattern was inspired by my beloved ferns. The colorwork is my interpretation of their gorgeous arching fronds and charming fiddleheads. In April, young ferns sprout from the wet soil and grow into beautiful plants over the following months. I hope you feel inspired to create your own pullover with this beautiful theme.

CONSTRUCTION

• Pullover is knitted seamless from the top down, with a complex stranded colorwork in the yoke.
• You have two options for the collar: simple collar or structured collar.
• You cast on at the collar (or yoke), the yoke is knit with a stranded colorwork pattern, sleeve stitches are placed on hold or waste yarn, the body is completed, then sleeves are knit last. If you choose the structured collar, you will work the collar after complete the body.
• It is worked in the round, except for a few short-rows after the stranded yoke. Short-rows are used to raise the back neckline for a comfortable fit, but they are optional; you can skip them if you prefer.
• This is an advanced colorwork project. It involves long floats, a non-repetitive pattern, and a large color chart.

SIZES

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

Finished bust circumference:

32 (36, 40, 44, 48) (52, 56, 60, 64)“

81 (91.5, 102, 112, 122) (132, 142, 152, 162) cm

Recommended ease: choose a size with 0–6” (0–15 cm) of positive ease.

YARN

Fingering weight yarn in two colors, approximate amount:

• Main color (red) 900 (950, 1050, 1150, 1250) (1350, 1450, 1600, 1750) yards 825 (870, 960, 1050, 1145) (1235, 1325, 1465, 1600) meters
• Contrasting color (green) 200 (200, 230, 230, 280) (280, 280, 350, 350) yards 185 (185, 210, 210, 255) (255, 255, 320, 320) meters

Shown in Malabrigo Yarn Mechita (100% Wool Merino; 420 yds (384 m) / 100 g); 3 (3, 3, 3, 3) (4, 4, 4, 5) skeins in colorway ‘Granada’ for Main Color, and 1 skein for all sizes in colorway ‘Water Green’ for Contrasting Color.

NEEDLES

US 2½ (3 mm) and US 1 (2.25 mm) suitable for working in the round (including small circumferences).

NOTIONS

Stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, and tapestry needle.

GAUGE

26 sts and 34 rows = 4” (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch in the round on US 2½ (3 mm) needles, after blocking.