Purple hooded top
Cover-ups don’t come any lovelier than this one! Cast on Caroline Birkett’s quick knit for springtime warmth.
When it comes to woollies, pockets and hoods are always popular – they are the epitome of cosiness and always make a handknit feel worthwhile. This great design by Caroline Birkett has both a soft, warming hood and wonderfully deep pockets and can be worn through autumn and spring. It’s practical all round!
STITCH PATTERNS BACK CABLE PATTERN
Row 1 (RS) K4, (P1, K4) 5 times.
Row 2 and all WS rows K5, (P4, K1) 4 times, K4.
Row 3 K4, P1, (T2B, T2F, P1) 4 times, K4. Row 5 K4, (P1, K4) 5 times.
Row 7 K4, P1, (T2B, T2F, P1) 4 times, K4. Row 9 K4, (P1, K4) 5 times.
Row 11 K4, P1, (T2L, T2R, P1) 4 times. Row 13 K4, (P1, K4) 5 times.
Row 15 K4, P1, (T2L, T2R, P1) 4 times. Row 16 K5, (P4, K1) 4 times, K4. These 16 rows form central cable panel with g st edges.
LEFT FRONT CABLE PATTERN
Row 1 (RS) K4, (P1, K4) 4 times.
Row 2 and all WS rows K5, (P4, K1) 3 times, K4.
Row 3 K4, P1, (T2B, T2F, P1) 3 times, K4. Row 5 K4, (P1, K4) 4 times.
Row 7 K4, P1, (T2B, T2F, P1) 3 times, K4. Row 9 K4, (P1, K4) 4 times.
Row 11 K4, P1, (T2F, T2B, P1) 3 times, K4. Row 13 K4, (P1, K4) 4 times.
Row 15 K4, P1, (T2F, T2B, P1) 3 times, K4. Row 16 K5, (P4, K1) 3 times, K4. These 16 rows form central cable panel with g st edges.
RIGHT FRONT CABLE PATTERN
Row 1 (RS) K4, (P1, K4) 4 times.
Row 2 and all WS rows K5, (P4, K1) 3 times, K4.
Row 3 K4, P1, (T2B, T2F, P1) 3 times, K4. Row 5 K4, (P1, K4) 4 times.
Row 7 K4, P1, (T2B, T2F, P1) 3 times, K4. Row 9 K4, (P1, K4) 4 times.
Row 11 K4, P1, (T2F, T2B, P1) 3 times, K4. Row 13 K4, (P1, K4) 4 times.
Row 15 K4, P1, (T2F, T2B, P1) 3 times, K4. Row 16 K5, (P4, K1) 3 times, K4. These 16 rows form central cable panel with g st edges.
BACK
Cast on 89 (99: 107: 115: 125: 133: 141) sts using 4 mm straight needles.
Row 1 (RS) K1, *P1, K1; rep from * to end. Row 2 P1, *K1, P1; rep from * to end. Rep last 2 rows once more. Change to 5mm straight needles.
Row 1 (RS) K30 (35: 39: 43: 48: 52: 56), PM, K4, (P1, K4) 5 times, PM, K30 (35: 39: 43: 48: 52: 56).
Row 2 P30 (35: 39: 43: 48: 52: 56), K5, (P4, K1) 4 times, K4, P30 (35: 39: 43: 48: 52: 56).
Begin Back Cable Pattern:
Row 1 (RS) K to sm, sl sm, work Row 1 of Back Cable Pattern (opposite) to sm, sl sm, K to end.
Row 2 (WS) P to sm, sl sm, work Row 2 of Back Cable Pattern (opposite) to sm, sl sm, K to end.
These 2 rows set placement for Back Cable Pattern between markers and st st either side.
Cont working in st st and Cable Panel Pattern, AT THE SAME TIME, dec 1 st at each end of Row 11, then the 10 (8: 8: 7: 6: 5: 5) foll 10th rows, then the 0 (2: 2: 3: 4: 5: 5) foll 8th rows, working decrease (RS) rows as follows:
K1, ssk, K to sm, sl sm, work Cable
Pattern to sm, sl sm, K to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. [67 (77: 85: 93: 103: 111: 119) sts when all decreases are complete]
Cont straight as set until piece measures 55 (54: 53: 52: 52: 50: 50)cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.
SHAPE ARMHOLES
Cast off 5 (6: 6: 7: 7: 7: 8) sts at beg of next 2 rows.
[57 (65: 73: 79: 89: 97: 103) sts]
Dec 1 st at each end of next and 2 (4: 5:
6: 9: 11: 12) RS rows.
[51 (55: 61: 65: 69: 73: 77) sts]
Cont straight until armhole measures 19 (20: 22: 23: 24: 26: 27)cm from beg of shaping.
SHAPE SHOULDERS
Cast off 14 (15: 17: 17: 19: 19: 21) sts at beg of next 2 rows. Leave rem 23 (25: 27: 31: 31: 35: 35) sts on a holder for back neck.
LEFT FRONT
Cast on 48 (52: 57: 61: 65: 70: 74) sts using 4 mm straight needles.
Row 1 (RS) P1 (1: 2: 2: 2: 1: 1), *K1, P1, rep from * to last 5 sts, K5.
Row 2 K6, *P1, K1, rep from * to last 0 (0:
1: 1: 1: 0: 0) sts, K0 (0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0). Rep last 2 rows once more.
Change to 5mm straight needles.
Row 1 (RS) K12 (16: 21: 24: 27: 32: 34), PM, K4, (P1, K4) 4 times, PM, K12 (12: 12: 13: 14: 14: 16).
Row 2 K5, P7 (7: 7: 8: 9: 9: 11), sl sm, K5,
(P4, K1) 3 times, K4, sl sm, P12 (16: 21: 24:
27: 32: 34).
Begin Left Front Cable Pattern:
Row 1 K to sm, sl sm, work Row 1 of Left Front Cable Pattern to sm, sl sm, K to end.
Row 2 K5, P to sm, sl sm, work Row 2 of Left Front Cable Pattern to sm, sl sm, P to end.
These 2 rows set placement for Left Front Cable Pattern.
Cont working in Cable Pattern as set, AT THE SAME TIME, dec 1 st at beg of Row 11, then the 5 foll 10th rows, working decrease (RS) rows as folls:
K1, ssk, K to sm, sl sm, cont in Cable Pattern to end.
[42 (46: 51: 55: 59: 64: 68) sts when all decs are complete]
Work 5 rows in pattern without shaping, ending after a WS row. You should have worked a total of 66 rows in pattern; 4 reps of Rows 1 to 16 and Rows 1 to 2 once more.
POCKET AND BODY
Continuing to dec at beg of 10th (10th: 10th: 10th: 10th: 8th: 8th) foll row after last dec, then on the 4 (2: 2: 1: 0: 0: 0) foll 10th rows and 0 (2: 2: 3: 4: 4: 4) foll 8th rows, prepare pocket as follows:
Next row (RS) K to marker. Using waste yarn K to next marker. Slip all sts back to LH needle and continuing in main yarn, K to end.
Next row K5, P to end.
Next row Knit.
Continue in st st with garter front border, working decreases as given above to 37 (41: 46: 50: 54: 59: 63) sts.
Cont straight in st st with garter front border until piece measures 55 (54: 53: 52: 52: 50: 50)cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.
SHAPE ARMHOLE
Cast off 5 (6: 6: 7: 7: 7: 8) sts at beg of next row, K to end.
[32 (35: 40: 43: 47: 52: 55) sts]
Next row K5, P to end.
Dec 1 st at beg of next and 2 (4: 5: 6: 9:
11: 12) foll RS rows.
[29 (30: 34: 36: 37: 40: 42) sts] Work straight for 26 (24: 26: 24: 20: 18: 18) more rows, ending after a RS row.
SHAPE FRONT NECK
Next row (WS) Patt across 10 (10: 11: 12: 12: 13: 13) sts and place on a holder, patt to end. [19 (20: 23: 24: 25: 27: 29) sts] Dec 1 st at neck edge of next 3 (3: 3: 3: 3: 5: 5) rows and 2 (2: 3: 4: 3: 3: 3) foll alt rows. [14 (15: 17: 17: 19: 19: 21) sts] Cont straight until front measures same as Back to beg of shoulder shaping, ending after a WS row.
Cast off rem sts.
Note on buttonholes There are 6 buttonholes worked on RS rows of the Right Front. Use the Left Front piece to work out spacing, counting the number of ripples on the garter edging to be accurate and marking with a piece of waste yarn. Position the bottom buttonhole approx 11cm from the bottom edge and the top buttonhole 3cm down from the top edge where the sts are held to add hood. Space the other four evenly between.
When working a buttonhole row, work as follows:
Buttonhole row (RS) K2, yo, k2tog, K1, work in pattern to end.
RIGHT FRONT
Cast on 48 (52: 57: 61: 65: 70: 74) sts using 4 mm straight needles.
Row 1 (RS) K5, *P1, K1, rep from * to last 1 (1: 2: 2: 2: 1: 1) sts, P1 (1: 2: 2: 2: 1: 1). Row 2 K0 (0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0), *K1, P1, rep from * to last 6 sts, K6.
Rep last 2 rows once more.
Change to 5mm straight needles.
Cont as folls, AT THE SAME TIME remembering to work buttonholes as planned on Right Front.
Row 1 (RS) K12 (12: 12: 13: 14: 14: 16), PM, K4, (P1, K4) 4 times, PM, K12 (16: 21: 24: 27: 32: 34).
Row 2 P12 (16: 21: 24: 27: 32: 34), sl sm, K5, (P4, K1) 3 times, K4, P7 (7: 7: 8: 9: 9: 11), K5.
Begin Right Front Cable Pattern:
Row 1 (RS) K to marker, sl sm, work Row 1 of Right Front Cable Pattern to sm, sl sm, K to end.
Row 2 and all WS rows P to marker, sl sm, work Row 2 of Right Front Cable
Pattern to sm, sl sm, P to last 5 sts, K5. These 2 rows set placement for Right Front Cable Pattern.
Cont working in Cable Pattern as set AT THE SAME TIME, dec 1 st at end of Row 11 and 5 foll 10th rows, working decreases as follows:
K to sm, sl sm, work Cable Pattern as set to sm, sl sm, K to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. [42 (46: 51: 55: 59: 64: 68) sts when all decs are complete]
Work 5 rows in pattern without shaping, ending after a WS row.
You should have worked a total of 66 rows in pattern; 4 reps of Rows 1 to 16 and Rows 1 to 2 once more.
POCKET AND BODY
Continuing to dec at end of 10th (10th: 10th: 10th: 10th: 8th: 8th) foll row after last dec and 4 (2: 2: 1: 0: 0: 0) foll 10th rows and 0 (2: 2: 3: 3: 4: 4: 4) foll 8th rows, prepare pocket as follows:
Next row (RS) K to marker. Using waste yarn K to next marker. Slip sts back to LH needle and continue in main yarn, K to end.
Next row P to last 5 sts, K5.
Next row Knit.
Continue in st st with garter front border, working decreases as given above to 37 (41: 46: 50: 54: 59: 63) sts.
Cont straight st st with garter front border until piece measures 55 (54: 53: 52: 52: 50: 50)cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row. Work 1 row straight.
SHAPE ARMHOLE
Cast off 5 (6: 6: 7: 7: 7: 8) sts at beg of next row, P to last 5 sts, K5.
[32 (35: 40: 43: 47: 52: 55) sts]
Dec 1 st at end of next and 2 (4: 5: 6: 9:
11: 12) foll RS rows.
[29 (30: 34: 36: 37: 40: 42) sts] Work straight for 27 (25: 27: 25: 21: 19: 19) more rows, ending after a WS row.
SHAPE FRONT NECK
Next row (RS) Patt across 10 (10: 11: 12: 12: 13: 13) sts and place on a holder, patt to end. [19 (20: 23: 24: 25: 27: 29) sts] Dec 1 st at neck edge of next 3 (3: 3: 3: 3: 5: 5) rows and 2 (2: 3: 4: 3: 3: 3) foll alt rows. [14 (15: 17: 17: 19: 19: 21) sts] Cont straight until front measures same as Back to beg of shoulder shaping, ending after a WS row.
Cast off rem sts.
MAKING UP
Join both shoulder seams.
HOOD
With RS facing, using 5mm circular needle and beg at right front opening, knit across 10 (10: 11: 12: 12: 13: 13) sts for right front neck, pick up and knit 10 (10: 12: 13: 13: 16: 16) sts up right front neck, PM, knit across 23 (25: 27: 31: 31: 35: 35) sts for back neck, PM, pick up and knit 10 (10: 12: 13: 13: 16: 16) sts down left front neck, knit across 10 (10: 11: 12: 12: 13: 13) sts for left front neck. [63 (65: 73: 81: 81: 93: 93) sts]
Cont straight in st st and inc at shoulder seam as follows:
Next row (WS) K5, P to last 5 sts, K5. Next row K to 1 st before marker, M1, K1, sl sm, K1, M1, K to 1 st before marker, M1, K1, sl sm, K1, M1, K to end.
[4 sts inc’d]
Rep the last 2 rows twice more.
[75 (77: 85: 93: 93: 105: 105) sts]
Cont straight in st st with garter front bands until hood measures 38 (38: 38: 38: 39: 39: 39)cm vertically from pickedup edge, ending after a RS row.
Next row (WS) K5, P31 (32: 36: 40: 40: 46: 46), p2tog, P to last 5 sts, K5.
[72 (74: 82: 90: 90: 102: 102) sts] Fold stitches in half with WS tog and graft top of hood closed.
POCKETS
Undo waste yarn and transfer 24 sts from top and bottom of Pocket to two 5mm DPNs. [A total of 48 sts held on 2 separate DPNs]
Using rem DPNs, with RS of Body above Pocket facing you, knit across first DPN, pick up and knit 2 sts at join with second DPN, knit across second DPN, pick up and knit 2 sts at join with first DPN.
[52 sts]
Place a marker for beg of round if desired and cont straight in st st in the round (knit every round) until Pocket measures 11cm from top edge.
Turning pocket to the inside, so that RS are tog, divide sts over 2 needles (26 sts per needle) so that sts are parallel with Body of Hoodie.
Close bottom of Pocket using the three needle cast-off method.
Repeat for second Pocket.
ARMHOLE EDGING
With RS facing and 4 mm circular needles, pick up and knit 78 (84: 92: 98: 102: 110: 116) sts around armhole. Beg with a WS row, work 4 rows in 1x1 rib.
Cast off in rib.
Repeat for second armhole.
MAKING UP
Join side seams. Weave in ends and block gently to measurements, following any yarn care instructions on the ball band.
NEXT MONTH CAST ON SANDRA NESBITT’S WAISTCOAT. ISSUE 173 IS IN THE SHOPS ON THURSDAY 17 MAY.