Terra

TERRA is inspired by the classic element of Earth.

I have always considered myself a child of nature, so when I first decided I wanted to do a design based on the classic elements I had a very specific idea in mind for earth.

She is the solid comfort of the century old live oaks dripping with Spanish moss that guard my home, the lush green of growing things and the rich brown of soil, the sweet aroma of wild grass and the sound of fallen leaves as they crunch underfoot.

To imitate Mother Earth’s range I chose a rustic tweed yarn that is also incredibly soft. A simple seed stitch pattern provides texture and visual interest that accents the elegant silhouette. Flared cuffs and slightly pointed hood call ancient Druids and enchanted woods to mind while waist shaping, a flattering v-neck, and a comfortable fit make this pullover an entirely practical choice for just about any figure.

Sizes

Finished Bust Size 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60)” / 81 (91, 102, 112, 122, 132, 142, 152) cm to fit bust 28-30 (32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50, 52-54, 56-58)” / 71-76 (81-86, 91-96, 101-106, 111-116, 121-126, 131-136, 141-146) cm
2-4” positive ease recommended.

Length 22.5 [23, 23.25, 23.5, 23.75, 24, 24, 24.5] / 57 [58, 59, 60, 60.3, 61, 61, 62] cm
Shown is size 44”

Yarn

Beaverslide Dry Goods McTaggert Tweed (100% wool; 210 yards [192 meters]/128 gram skein):
Prairie Sandreed (MC), 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9) skeins

Needles

US #8 (5 mm): straight and 24” circular
Spare US #10.5 (6.5 mm) straight needle

Gauge

14 sts and 22 rows = 4” (10 cm) in St st after wet blocking.
14 sts and 24 rows = 4” (10 cm) in seed st after wet blocking.

Notions

Stitch markers; stitch holders; tapestry needle.

Abbreviations

Please see our standard list of abbreviations.

EOR – every other row
PUK – pick up and knit

Pattern Notes

This pattern is worked in pieces from bottom to top. Shoulders are shaped using short row method. Shoulders are joined using 3 needle bind off for outermost stitches. Remaining live stitches and stitches picked up from back of neck are used to begin hood which will be seamed at top using 3 needle bind off. Sleeve caps and hood point shaping also utilize short row shaping.

Short rows are rows that are worked short of the end of the row. They can be worked with using the wrap and turn (W&T) technique. To do this technique you will knit (or purl) until the appropriate number of sts remain on your left hand needle. You will slip the next stitch purl wise and move the working yarn to the opposite side (to front on knit rows/ to back on purl rows). Now slip the stitch back to the left hand needle. Turn work and put the yarn back in its original position. Work until you reach the next required W&T. On the last row (or 2 rows if you are working short rows at each end) as you encounter wrapped stitches pick up the wrap and then knit or purl the stitch with the wrap as one. This hides your wraps and helps close any gaps.

Ed. Note – For more information on knitting short rows, please see our short row tutorial.

Front

With US 8 (5 mm) straight or circular needle CO 55 [63, 71, 77, 85, 91, 99, 105] sts.

Begin seed stitch

Setup Row (WS): p1, * k1, p1, rep from * to end

Row 1 (RS): k1, *k1, p1, rep from * across, end k2

Row 2: p1, * k1, p1, rep from * to end

If you want to add length to your sweater work additional repeats of last 2 rows before starting waist shaping.

Waist shaping

In order to avoid random patches of stockinette stitch you will use 2 decrease rows that alternate while decreasing in the seed stitch portion. For example: if you need to decrease every 6th row 4 times you will use dec A on row 6, Dec B on row 12, Dec A on row 18, and Dec B on row 24.

Seed Dec A (RS): k1, ssp, k1, * p1, k1, rep from * to last 3 sts, p2tog, k1

Seed Dec B (RS): k1, k2tog, p1, *k1, p1, rep from * to last 3 sts, ssk, k1

Cont in patt, working dec rows on RS rows, in place of Row 1 as follows:

XS, S, 2X, 3X: Dec every 6th row 4 times
M, L: Dec every 4th row 5 times
XL: Dec every 6th row 2 times, every 4th row 3 times
4X: Dec every 4th row 4 times, then work even in seed stitch pattern until piece measures 4” or [10] cm from beginning

47 [55, 61, 67, 75, 83, 91, 97] sts rem

**********

Body set up row (WS): p16 [20, 22, 25, 30, 34, 38, 41], pm, *work in seed st for 15 sts, pm, p16 [20, 22, 25, 30, 34, 38, 41].

Dec row (RS): k1, ssk, k to 1st marker, work sts between markers in seed st, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1

XS: Dec every 6th row once, then every 4th row once
S: Dec every 6th row 2 times
M, L, 2X: Dec every 6th row once
XL, 3X: Dec every 4th row once
4X: proceed to next section

43 [51, 59, 65, 73, 81, 89, 97] sts rem
Work even in pattern until piece measures 8.5 [8, 7.5, 8, 7.25, 7, 6.25, 7.5]” or 21.5 [20, 19, 20, 18, 18, 16, 19] cm from beg. End on RS.

Inc row (RS): k1, m1L, k to first marker, work in seed st to second marker, k to last st, m1R, k1

Inc every 6th row 5 [5, 4, 3, 4, 3, 4, 2] times, then every 4th row 0 [1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 1, 1] time(s)

53 [63, 71, 75, 83, 91, 99, 103] sts rem

Armholes

XS: BO 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows
S: BO 2 sts at beg of next 4 rows
M: BO 1 st at beg of next 2 rows, then 4 sts at beg of next 2 rows
L: BO 3 at beg of next 4 rows
XL: BO 1 st at beg of next 2 rows, then 5 sts at beg of next 2 rows, then 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows
2X: BO 1 st at beg of next 2 rows, then 4 sts at beg of next 2 rows, then 3 st at beg of next 2 rows, then 2 sts at beg of next 6 rows
3X: BO 6 st at beg of next 2 rows, then 3 sts at beg of next 4 rows, then 2 sts at beg of next 4 rows
4X: BO 2 st at beg of next 2 rows, then 5 sts at beg of next 2 rows, then 4 sts at beg of next 2 rows, then 2 sts at beg of next 6 rows, then 1 st at beg of next 2 rows

49 [55, 61, 63, 61, 67, 63, 67, 67] sts rem

Next Row: Work one row even.

V neck set up row: k to 1st marker, SM, work 7 sts in seed st, join new ball of yarn and BO1 st, cont in seed st to next marker, SM, k to end. (there should be 7 sts in seed st on either side of bound off center st).

Neck and Armhole shaping

You will be decreasing at the neck and selvedge edge at the same time but at different intervals. You can either work both sides of the neck simultaneously or one at a time.

Neck decs are done inside the seed st panel to retain the 7 seed sts at each neck edge.

Left neck dec: k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, SM, work in seed st to end
Right neck dec: work in seed st to marker, SM, SSK, k to end

Left selvedge dec: k1, SSK, k to marker, SM, work in seed to end
Right selvedge dec: work in seed st to marker, SM, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1

Dec 1 st at each neck edge every 4th row 5 [6, 4, 5, 5, 4, 4, 6] times then every 6th row 2 [2, 4, 3, 3, 4, 3, 3] times.

AT THE SAME TIME

Dec 1 st at each selvedge edge EOR 0 [0, 5, 3, 5, 2, 1, 2] times, every 4th row 1 [3, 0, 2, 0, 0, 2, 1] times, then size XS only: every 6th row 2 times.

Short row shoulder shaping

Left shoulder (W&T is worked on purl side)

XS (S) only
Row 1 (WS): Work in seed st to marker, SM, p to last 3 [4] sts, W&T
Row 2: K1, ssk, k to marker, SM, work in seed st to end
Row 3: Work in seed st to marker, SM, p to last 5 [7] sts, W&T
Row 4: K to marker, SM, work in seed st to end
Row 5: Work in seed st to marker, SM, p to end (taking care to purl wraps along with wrapped sts). Place these sts on holder.

All other sizes

Row 1 (WS): Work in seed st to marker, SM, p to last x [x, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 4] sts, W&T
Row 2: K1, ssk, k to marker, SM, work in seed st to end
Row 3: Work in seed st to marker, SM, p to last x [x, 5, 6, 8, 8, 9, 8] sts, W&T
Row 4 and all RS rows: K to marker, SM, work in seed st to end
Row 5: Work in seed st to marker, SM, p to last x [x, 8, 9, 13, 12, 12, 12] sts, W&T

Size XL only

Row 7: Work in seed st to marker, SM, p to end (taking care to purl wraps along with wrapped sts). Place these sts on holder.

Sizes M, L, 2X, 3X, 4X only

Row 7: Work in seed st to marker, SM, p to last x [x, x, 14, x, 16, 16, 16] sts, W&T
Row 9: Work in seed st to marker, SM, p to end (taking care to purl wraps along with wrapped sts). Place these sts on holder.

Right shoulder (W&T is worked on k side)

XS (S) only
Row 1 (WS) and all WS rows: p to marker, SM, work in seed st to end
Row 2: work in seed st to marker, SM, k2tog, k to last 3 [4] sts, W&T
Row 4: work in seed st to marker, SM, k to last 5 [7] sts, W&T
Row 6: work in seed st to marker, SM, k to end (taking care to knit wraps along with wrapped sts). Place these sts on holder.

All other sizes
Row 1 and all WS rows: p to marker, SM, work in seed st to end
Row 2: Work in seed st to marker, SM, k2tog, k to last x [x, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 4] sts, W&T
Row 4: Work in seed st to marker, SM, k to last x [x, 5, 6, 8, 8, 9, 8] sts, W&T
Row 6: Work in seed st to marker, SM, k to last x [x, 8, 9, 13, 12, 12, 12] sts, W&T
Size XL only: work one WS row and proceed to row 10
Row 8: Work in seed st to marker, SM, k to last x [x, 14, 15, x, 16, 16, 16] sts, W&T
Row 10: work in seed st to marker, SM, k to end (taking care to knit wraps along with wrapped sts). Place these sts on holder.

Back

Work same as front to **********.

Dec row (RS): k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1

XS: Dec every 6th row 1 time, then every 4th row once
S: Dec every 6th row 2 times
M, L, 2X: Dec every 6th row once
XL, 3X: Dec every 4th row once
4X: proceed to next section

43 (51, 59, 65, 73, 81, 89, 97) sts rem

Work even in pattern until piece measures 8.5 [8, 7.5, 8, 7.25, 7, 6.25, 7.5]” or 21.5 [20, 19, 20, 18, 18, 16, 19] cm from beg. End with a WS row.

Inc row (RS): k1, m1L, k to last st, m1R, k1

Inc every 6th row 5 [5, 4, 3, 4, 3, 4, 2] times, then every 4th row 0 [1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 1, 1] time(s); 53 (63, 71, 75, 83, 91, 99, 103) sts rem

Armholes

XS: work 2 rows even, then BO 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows
S: work 2 rows even, then BO 2 sts at beg of next 4 rows
M: BO 1 st at beg of next 2 rows, then 4 sts at beg of next 2 rows
L: BO 3 at beg of next 4 rows
XL: BO 1 st at beg of next 2 rows, then 5 sts at beg of next 2 rows, then 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows
2X: BO 1 st at beg of next 2 rows, then 4 sts at beg of next 2 rows, then 3 st at beg of next 2 rows, then 2 sts at beg of next 6 rows
3X: BO 6 st at beg of next 2 rows, then 3 sts at beg of next 4 rows, then 2 sts at beg of next 4 rows
4X: BO 2 st at beg of next 2 rows, then 5 sts at beg of next 2 rows, then 4 sts at beg of next 2 rows, then 2 sts at beg of next 6 rows, then 1 st at beg of next 2 rows

49 (55, 61, 63, 67, 63, 67, 67) sts rem

Dec 1 st at each selvedge edge EOR x [x, 2, x, 3, 3, x, x] times, every 4th row x [x, 3, 5, 2, 3, x, x] times, every 6th row 3 [6, x, x, x, x, 4, 8] times, then 3X only: every 8th row 3 times; 43 (43, 51, 53, 57, 51, 53, 51) sts rem.

Shoulder and Neck shaping

P to last 4 [6, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 3] sts, W&T, k to last 4 [6, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 3] sts, W&T
P to last x [x, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 7] sts, W&T, k to last x [x, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 7] sts, W&T

P 9 [9, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 13] sts, join new ball of yarn, BO 17 [13, 19, 19, 19, 11, 9, 11] sts for neck. Place rem shoulder sts on holderS; cut yarn.

Joining shoulders

(Left and right shoulder are worked the same)
Place front and back pieces with RS together. Place live sts to be joined from either shoulder on needles, with points of both needles closest to selvedge edges. Hold these needles in left hand and use US 10.5 (6.5mm) needle in right hand to work 3 needle BO from selvedge edge inward until you reach 7 live seed sts from front shoulder. Work only these 7 sts in seed st (ignore back sts from needle) and place these 7 live sts on holder. Repeat for other shoulder.

Hood

With US #8 (5mm) circular needle, place remaining shoulder sts from right front onto needle. Work first 7 sts in established seed st pattern, from this point to the beginning of next seed stitch portion PUK 32 [36, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40] sts evenly around neckline, place remaining shoulder sts from left front onto needle and work those 7 sts in seed st; 46 (50, 54, 54, 54, 54, 54, 54) sts. Work one row even.

Set up row for increases: work 1st 7 sts in seed st, k 14 [16, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18] sts, m1L, pm, k4, pm, m1R, k 14 [16, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18] sts, work remaining sts in seed st. 48 (52, 56, 56, 56, 56, 56, 56) sts.

Repeat this increase row EOR (11) times; 70 (74, 78, 78, 78, 78, 78, 78) sts.
Continue in pattern until hood measures 12 [12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13]’ or 30 [30, 33, 33, 33, 33, 33, 33] cm from beg (you can remove markers once increases are completed), ending with a RS row.

Point shaping

If you would prefer less of a point you can omit this step and proceed to seaming hood.

Next Row (WS): Work to last 14 [16, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18] sts, W&T. Next Row: K to last 14 [16, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18] sts, W&T. Next Row: P to last 24 [26, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28] sts, W&T. Next Row: K to last 24 [26, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28] sts, W&T.Next Row: P 11 [all sizes]. Next Row: W&T, work to end (wraps for left side of hood are knit along with wrapped sts on this row).

Hood seam

Turn hood so that RS are together. With US 10.5 (6.5mm) needle in right hand work 3 needle BO from center to edge (wraps for right side of hood are worked along with wrapped sts as you BO).

Sleeves

With US 8 (5 mm) straight or circular needle CO 49 [53, 55, 57, 59, 65, 71, 75] sts.

Row 1 (WS): P1, * k1, p1, rep from * to end
Row 2 (RS): K1, *k1, p1, rep from * across, end k2
Repeat these 2 rows until sleeve measures 4” or (10) cm from beg, ending with a WS row.

Dec row (RS): K1, ssk, k to last 3, k2tog, k1

Switch to St st and work decrease row on next and every 4th row 3 [3, 4, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3] times; 43 [47, 47, 49, 53, 59, 65, 69] sts rem
Work even until sleeve measures 18.5 [18.75, 19, 19.5, 20, 19, 19, 19]” or 47 [48, 48, 48, 48, 48, 48, 48] cm from beg. If you want to shorten your sleeves you will work fewer rows. If you want to lengthen work more rows.

Shape cap

BO 5 [3, 4, 3, 3, 3, 6, 2] sts at beg of next 2 [4, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] rows, then BO 2 [0, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 6] sts at beg of next 2 [0, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] rows, then BO 0 [0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 2, 2] sts at beg of next 0 [0, 0, 0, 0, 4, 4, 4] rows; 29 [35, 35, 39, 43, 41, 39, 45] sts rem.

Dec 1 st each side EOR 5 [7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9] times, ending with a RS row; 19 [21, 19, 23, 27, 23, 21, 27] sts rem.

XS, S, M, L, XL:
P to last 2 sts, W&T, k to last 2 sts, W&T
P to last 5 sts, W&T, k to last 5 sts, W&T
P to end (taking care to purl wraps along with wrapped sts)
BO all sts (taking care to knit wraps along with wrapped sts).

2X, 3X, 4X:
P to last 2 sts, W&T, k to last 2 sts, W&T
P to last 4 sts, W&T, k to last 4 sts, W&T
P to last 8 sts, W&T, k to last 8 sts, W&T
P to end (taking care to purl wraps along with wrapped sts)
BO all sts (taking care to knit wraps along with wrapped sts).

Finishing

Sew sleeves to body. Seam sides and sleeves. Weave in all ends. Block.

Schematic

About the Designer: Jacquelyn Landry

Jacquelyn designs from her ranch home on the Texas Gulf Coast. She prefers the simple pleasures in life and thinks that knitting shouldn’t be overly complicated.