Bernard
A simple knit for the big guys, designed for Dollshe 70 cm Bernard (original body) and knit in the round from the top down.
You will need:
Needles: 1.5 mm DPNs Yarn: laceweight (suggested yarn: Superfine Merino from TheKnitter.com), approx. 500 yards Gauge: 6 sts & 8 rows per cm (15 sts & 20 rows /inch) Notions: 4 stitch markers (1 should be a split marker used to mark the start of a round)
Abbreviations and special stitches
b.o. - bind off b.o. in pattern - knit knit stitches and purl purls as you bind off c.o. - cast on m1 - make one (increase) M - marker PM - place marker sl M - slip marker tbl - through back loop (k1tbl or pltbl - twisted knit or purl stitch) Twisted 1xl Rib in the round: [k1tbl, p1] around Twisted 1xl Rib worked flat: Row 1: [k1tbl, pl] across Row 2: [k1, p1tbl] across
notes
For stitch holders, use waste yarn or large safety pins (I recommend at least 3, even if you can fit the stitches on fewer) - it's important to have something that will flex when you close the circle at the underarms, to help prevent laddering in the first several rows after you join the body.
Body
c.o. 66 sts and join to work in round, PM to mark beginning of round. Work in Twisted 1x1 Rib until work measures 4 cm from cast on edge. Setup round: k8, PM, [k1tbl, p1] 3 times, k13, [p1, kltbl] 3 times, PM, k8, PM, [p1, k1tbl] 3 times, k13, [k1tbl, p1] This round sets the pattern of ribbing that will be carried throughout the sweater. Always purl the purls and knit the knits through the back loop on these stitches, while working all other stitches in stockinette. Begin raglan increases Increase round: [k1, m1, k to 1st before M, m1, k1, sl M and work rib as established in setup round, m1, k to next rib, m1, work rib, sl M] twice (one round completed; 8 sts increased). Work Increase round every round 12 times, then every second round 16 times, ending with a plain round (a total of 28 increase rounds worked; 290 sts). Separate sleeves from body Next round: [place 64 sts on holder, work 81 sts in pattern] twice, join to continue working in round. Work even, maintaining ribbed sections as established, until body measures 20 cm from start of stockinette (base of collar). Next 10 rounds: work all sts in Twisted Rib, making sure to line up knits & purls with established rib sections. b.o. in pattern.
Arms
Transfer sts for one sleeve to needle. Do not join.\* Work even in stockinette until sleeve measures 5 cm from underarm. On next right side row, begin decreases. Decrease Row: k2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2 Work Decrease Row every 14th row 3 times (6 sts decreased), then every 10th row 5 times (10 sts decreased; 48 sts remain). Work even in stockinette until sleeve measures 22 cm from armpit. Work 8 rows in Twisted Rib. b.o. in pattern. \* it is, of course,posible to work the arms in the round. I've suggested knitting them flat because you can then do both at the same time (working from opposite ends of your ball of yarn, or two balls if you've got them) and make sure they are exactly the same length, but if you'd take a potential tiny difference in length over having to sew up those long seams (and I often would!), go for it! You may want to pick up 1-2 stitches in the underarm and then decrease them in the first couple of rows to make sure there's no gap in the armpit.
finishing
Seam arms using mattress stitch. Weave in all ends. Block if desired.
