Brooks Pullover Pattern

Brooks is a yoke pullover with seamless construction designed  with a patterns for top-down and bottom-up so that you can knit it the way you like to work.  This timeless design was inspired by an antique kitchen bowl that has been in my family longer than I have been. It’s Xs and 0s and the swooping buntings have always reminded me of Norwegian Kransekake (wreath cake). It’s simple, but also a little celebration.  For years I have looked at this bowl and thought it should be a sweater. I meant this design to be a year-round sweater, a favorite you can wear all the time. A best friend sort of sweater that is worn through thick and thin. On good days and bad. A constant companion through life. I hope it’s a sweater you reach for when going on a walk or taking a trip to the store, one you grab for sitting outside on a chilly evening or gathering eggs. I knit mine with Biches et Buches Le Lambswool that gets softer with every wear. I wanted to design this sweater so that you can knit it the way you love to knit.  Top-down and traditional bottom-up knitting  is similar but a little different, and each way has its  unique little advantages. The top-down construction starts at the yoke and ets you begin with the fun colorwork part. I also like that after you have completed the colorwork, it's rewarding to look at while you are finishing the sweater.  This construction also makes it easy to try on your sweater as you knit so you can tailor fit the yoke depth and length of your body and sleeves. I also love easy way to pick up and knit the sleeve stitches. Brooks has a magical fit that is super comfortable and flattering.  Bottom up knitting is the traditional way to knit a yoke sweater. I love this efficient and beautiful way to knit. First you knit the body, then quickly you will knit the sleeves (if this is your first bottom-up yoke sweater, you will be pleasantly surprised how quick sleeves are to knit up). As soon as you finish a sleeve, you will connect it to the body. After both sleeves are done, you will knit a few rounds, then the fun part starts. I like saving the colorwork for last. It’s like dessert.  Another thing I love about bottom-up sweaters is that you can tailor fit the size of the neckline.   I love the traditional Vs for the stitch orientation.  Both versions are knit with one size needle throughout. Brooks has magical fit that is super comfortable and flattering. I hope it becomes your favorite! Materials Biches et Bûches Le Lambswool 170 meters per 50 g or Fios da Fazenda | DK 6 ply merino | 260 meters /284 yards per 100 g (3 ½ oz) skein  Main Color: Biches & Bûches Le Lambswool Blue-Green 4 (4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6 ,7) skeins Long-sleeve version: (brown) Fios da Fazenda 6-ply merino 3 (3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6 ,6) skeins or approx. 664 (692, 750, 787, 810, 840, 890, 1067, 1089, 1160, 1250, 1310, 1400) yards Contrasting Color: Biches & Bûches Le Lambswool Undyed White 1 skein for all size or Fios da Fezenda light pink. 1 skein. 1 skein for all sizes or 100 (110,120, 125, 130, 140, 150, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 200) yards. Needles:  One size for everything, US 7 (4.5 mm) 32 or 40 – inch/ 80 or 100 cm for the body, yoke and neckband  and a set of dpns or Flexiflips for cuffs 16-inch/40 cm circular needles for sleeves Tapestry needle Gauge and Swatch 20 stitches and 23 rounds = 4 inches in colorwork 17.25 stitches and 23 rounds= 4 inches in single color Swatch in colorwork, in the round, to determine needle size.   Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14) with a 5-9 -inch positive ease. Sample is shown with a 6” positive ease. Finished Measurements Chest circumference: 34 (37, 40, 42.5, 45.5, 48.25, 51, 53.75, 56.5, 59.5, 62, 65, 67, 71) inches Body length from cast on edge to underarm: 11.5 (12, 12.5, 12,5, 13.25, 13.75,14.25, 14.25, 15.25, 16, 16, 16, 17, 17) inches  Sleeve length:16 (16½, 17, 17, 17, 17.5, 18, 18, 18, 18, 19, 19, 19.5, 19.5) inches Yoke depth without neckband: 8 (8, 8.25, 8.5, 8.5, 8.75, 9, 9.5, 10,10.5 ,10.5, 10.5 ,10.75,10.75) Total length: 21 (21, 22 .25, 22.5, 23.5, 24.25, 25, 25.5, 27, 27.5 ,27.5, 28.5, 28.75, 28.75) inches Skills used to make Brooks Long-tail cast-on Knit Purl 2x2 rib Knitting in stranded colorwork Catching floats Colorwork chart reading skils Knitting in the round DPN / Magic loop skills Traveling loop for the neckband SSK K2tog German short rows Bind off Backward loop Duplicate stitch