Wyvern Wrap V2

From pattern introduction:

Don’t worry, no wyverns were harmed to create this jacket!  Instead, the “Dragon Skin” pattern from Barbara Walker’s 2nd Treasury of Knitting Patterns embellishes a simple wrap with a tie closure.  The fronts (including sleeves and front edging) are worked from hem to shoulders, then joined with cast-on stitches at the back of the neck, and from there, back plus sleeves are worked in one piece to the hem.  Finishing:  edge the back neck, seam sides and underarms, and add ties and snap (for the inner wrap edge) at the waist.  The kimono-style sleeves do not taper, so directions for Dramatic (full-length or longer), Practical (just above wrist length) and ¾-length sleeves are included.  (Recommended:  Practical or 3/4-length, unless you have strong diva-like tendencies.)  Measured ease is standard (2-4”), but may seem greater when worn, due to the wrap style; those who prefer a more fitted look may want to make one size smaller than usual.  Length is just above the hip (though length from waist to hem is easily altered), and side decreases and increases gently shape the waist.

Difficulty is intermediate; skills include chart reading, casting on mid-row, modified I-cord ties, and keeping accurate track of row #s.

Sizes/Garment Measurements
                  XS     S     M     L     1X    2X    3X
Bust/hips    32     36    40    44    48    52    56 inches
                  81     91   102   112  122  132   142 cm
Waist         29     33    37    41    45    49     53 inches
                  74     84   94    104  114   124   135 cm
Length        21     22   22    22.5   23    23    23 inches
                  53     56   56    57     58     58    58 cm
Sleeve circ  15   16.5  16.5  18    19.5  19.5  21 inches
                  38    42    42    46     50     50    53 cm
Sleeve length (from body side seam, not necessarily from underarm):
Dramatic     18    19    18    19.5  18.5  19.5  18.5 inches
                  46    48    46    50     47     50     47 cm
Practical     13.5  15   14    15     14     15     14 inches
                  34    38    36    38     36     38     36 cm
3/4 length     9     11   10    11     10      11    10 inches
                  23    28    25    28     25     28     25 cm
Shown in Size S with Practical Sleeves and with 3” ease at bust.

Gauge
24 sts and 32 rows = 4” in Dragon Skin patt st; count rows along 2-st strip of st st between panels of “scales.”  Check gauge on blocked swatch.

Yarn
DK-weight yarn (approx 22 sts/28 rows to 4” in st st on U.S. Size 6 (4 mm) needles).  With Dramatic sleeves:  1500 [1800, 1800, 2100, 2250, 2400, 2550] yds.  With Practical sleeves:  1350 [1650, 1650, 1950, 2100, 2250, 2250] yds.  With 3/4-length sleeves:  1200 [1500, 1500, 1800, 1950, 2100, 2100] yds.  Pictured in RYC Silk Wool DK (50% merino wool, 50% silk; 109 yds [100 m]/50 gm), color #SH 305 Clay.

Needles
U.S. Size 6 (4mm) circular needle, 40-60” long depending on size worked (total of sleeves + back = 34-65”!).  Optional:  2nd circular for working Right Front (at least 24” long); straight needles for working front and back without sleeves.  Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions
Stitch markers; row counter; stitch holders or waste yarn; tapestry needle; med or large snap closure.

Suggested Yarn Substitutions*
*Substitute at your own risk!
Kollage Yarns Yummy (80% bamboo, 20% merino wool; 150 yd [137 m]/70 gm).  RYC Cashsoft DK (merino wool/ microfiber/ cashmere; 142 yd [130 m]/50 gm).  Classic Elite Wool Bam Boo (wool/bamboo; 118 yds [108 m]/50 gm).

Yarn Weight
Take note of yarn weight, in this case meaning actual weight (yds/m per gm), not thickness (DK).  Sleeves are wide and will be quite heavy in a heavier yarn (compare RYC Silk Wool DK at 109 yds/50 gm to RYC Cashsoft DK at 142 yds/50 gm).  If you choose a heavier yarn, 3/4 or at most Practical sleeves are recommended.

If you have already purchased this pattern, I will be emailing you the updated version:  no need to contact me unless you don't receive it within the next 2 days.  If you are already partway through the Original Pattern, I do NOT recommend you switch to the newer version; the order of some instructions has been changed and could be confusing, and there are no errata in addition to those already published back in February 2008.

Click here to purchase pattern (price:  $6.50). After payment, the pattern will be emailed to you in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format.