DRK Everyday Saddle

> [Do you enjoy Andrea’s patterns? Sign up for the DreaReneeKnits Newsletter to receive sneak peeks of new patterns, exclusive introductory discounts, video tutorials, and other things she knows you’ll love!!][1] **DETAILS** The DRK Everyday Saddle is the newest pattern in my on-going [wardrobe staples collection!][2] It uses clever top-down construction, combining a saddle and drop shoulder to create an interesting knit that will shine in your wardrobe! You can choose to knit it to a cropped or more standard length. Or maybe one of each! This sweater is worked from the top down, seamlessly. We begin with the saddle shoulder, then pick up stitches for the back and fronts separately. Once the yoke is completed, we will join to work the body in the round, knitting the sweater to either a Cropped or Standard length. The sleeve stitches are picked up from the armhole openings and worked in the round. **SIZES** 0 (1, 2, 3)(4, 5, 6)(7, 8, 9)(10, 11, 12) **FINISHED CHEST CIRCUMFERENCE** 29.25 (33.75, 36, 40.5)(42.75, 45, 47.25)(49.5, 54, 56.25)(60.75, 65.25, 67.5)” 74.5 (86, 91.5, 103)(108.5, 114.5, 120)(126, 137, 143)(154.5, 166, 171.5) cm *Intended to be worn with approx. 2-4”/5-10 cm positive ease. Sample shown in size 2 with approx. 3”/7.5 cm positive ease on a woman who is 5’5”/165 cm tall.* **YARN REQUIREMENTS** *These are just approximations. Total yarn usage will depend on the yarn you use (fiber content, ply, etc.), your personal gauge, and any modifications you may make.* Fingering Weight 80% Wool/20% Cotton (55 g/250 yds/228 m) **Cropped Length:** 183 (207, 220, 254)(262, 275, 303)(312, 325, 350)(378, 409, 430) g 835 (943, 1000, 1154)(1193, 1250, 1379)(1420, 1480, 1590)(1722, 1859, 1955) yds 764 (863, 914, 1056)(1091, 1143, 1261)(1298, 1353, 1453)(1575, 1700, 1788) m **Standard Length:** 196 (220, 244, 272)(275, 300, 310)(320, 348, 374)(405, 437, 459) g 891 (1000, 1109, 1236)(1250, 1364, 1408)(1452, 1585, 1700)(1840, 1985, 2086) yds 815 (914, 1014, 1130)(1143, 1247, 1288)(1328, 1450, 1554)(1683, 1816, 1908) m ***HELD TOGETHER WITH:*** Lace Weight 74% Suri Alpaca/26% Silk (50 g/328 yds/300 m) **Cropped Length:** 110 (123, 135, 150)(150, 166, 172)(177, 193, 200)(225, 242, 250) g 722 (807, 886, 984)(984, 1089, 1128)(1162, 1268, 1312)(1476, 1593, 1640) yds 660 (738, 810, 900)(900, 996, 1031)(1062, 1160, 1200)(1350, 1456, 1500) m **Standard Length:** 116 (132, 145, 150)(167, 178, 184)(190, 207, 222)(240, 260, 273) g 761 (866, 951, 984)(1096, 1168, 1207)(1244, 1359, 1456)(1577, 1702, 1788) yds 696 (792, 870, 900)(1002, 1068, 1104)(1138, 1243, 1332)(1442, 1556, 1635) m **SUGGESTED YARN (Pink Version)** *For this sweater I chose to use one of my most favorite yarn combos ever - holding the Farmer's Daughter Fibers Confluence together with Oh Dang Lace. Confluence is a bouncy Rambouillet Cotton blend yarn that really plumps up after blocking, and holding it together with a baby suri alpaca, creates the most luscious fabric! Even though a fingering + lace weight yarn held together would typically get you closer to a sport or DK weight yarn, because these two yarns both bloom a lot after washing, they are closer to a worsted weight in gauge. See next section on how I knit up a 2nd one (yellow), without holding yarns double.* **The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers (1 strand of each held together)** Confluence 80% Targhee & Rambouillet Wool/20% Cotton (55 g/250 yds/228 m): **Cropped** - 4 (4, 4, 5)(5, 5, 6)(6, 6, 7)(7, 8, 8) skeins Knot Another Mauve **Standard** - 4 (4, 5, 5)(5, 6, 6)(6, 7, 7)(8, 8, 9) skeins Knot Another Mauve Oh Dang 74% Suri Alpaca/26% Silk (50 g/328 yds/300 m): **Cropped** - 3 (3, 3, 3)(3, 4, 4)(4, 4, 4)(5, 5, 5) skeins Bear Gulch **Standard** - 3 (3, 3, 3)(4, 4, 4)(4, 5, 5)(5, 6, 6) skeins Bear Gulch **YARN NOTES FOR MY 2nd VERSION (Yellow)** *If you prefer to use a single strand of yarn for this sweater, I would try subbing in a worsted weight yarn. Make sure to swatch to ensure you can achieve the correct gauge. I used The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers Pishkun with great results, and just needed to go up one needle size (since this is closer to a light worsted/DK). I’m including that yardage information below:* The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers Pishkun 100% Non-Superwash MT & WY Rambouillet (100 g/255 yds/233 m) **Cropped** - 3 (4, 4, 4)(5, 5, 5)(5, 6, 6)(7, 7, 7) skeins Daddy State of Mind 296 (335, 368, 400)(424, 453, 490)(500, 526, 565)(612, 660, 695) g 755 (854, 938, 1020)(1081, 1155, 1250)(1275, 1342, 1441)(1561, 1685, 1772) yds 690 (781, 858, 933)(989, 1056, 1143)(1166, 1227, 1317)(1427, 1540, 1620) m **Standard** - 4 (4, 4, 5)(5, 5, 5)(6, 6, 6)(7, 7, 8) skeins Daddy State of Mind 317 (359, 394, 439)(455, 486, 500 )(516, 564, 600)(654, 700, 742) g 808 (915, 1005, 1119)(1160, 1239, 1275)(1316, 1437, 1530)(1668, 1785, 1891) yds 739 (837, 919, 1024)(1061, 1133, 1166)(1204, 1314, 1399)(1525, 1632, 1729) m **SUGGESTED NEEDLES** **Main Fabric:** US 7/4.5 mm - 32-40”/80-100 cm circular and preferred needles for small circumference knitting (Magic Loop or Double Pointed Needles), plus a spare needle for binding off the underarms. **Ribbing:** US 5/3.75 mm - 32-40”/80-100 cm circular and preferred needles for small circumference knitting. *(Use the needle size you need to achieve gauge, going down two US sizes for the ribbing.)* **NOTIONS** Stitch marker, tapestry needle, row counter (highly recommended), Barbers cords style stitch holder or spare circular needle for provisional cast on, stitch holders or waste yarn **GAUGE** 17.75 sts & 27 rows = 4”/10 cm *Measured over stockinette stitch in the round using the Main Fabric needle, after blocking.* **TECHNIQUES TO INDULGE IN** Provisional Cast On with a barber cord or spare needle Knitting Purling Knitting flat Knitting in the round Increasing Decreasing Binding off Backwards loop cast on Picking up stitches German Short Rows Ribbing Slipping stitches Kitchener stitch **YARN SUBSTITUTION IDEAS** [Click here to be directed to a pdf with some yarn substitution ideas! These yarns have not all been tested, so we cannot guarantee their outcome, but we do hope they provide a jumping off point for inspiration!][3] [1]: http://eepurl.com/diPxsr [2]: https://www.ravelry.com/bundles/drk-everyday [3]: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13p8cHx0J9NEowKIgLtcUCNFjV4-tfNfk/view?usp=sharing