Table Of ContentB I R K I N
B Y C A I T L I N H U N T E R
B I R K I N
Yardage:
Please note that yardage is estimated, and can
vary between knitters.
MC: 950 (1150, 1300, 1650, 1800, 1950, 2020) yds /
870 (1050, 1190, 1510, 1645, 1785, 1850) m.
CC1: 85 (90, 95, 100, 110, 125, 135) yds / 78 (82, 87,
91, 101, 114, 123) m.
CC2: 45 (60, 75, 85, 95, 105, 110) yds / 41 (55, 69, 78,
87, 96, 101) m.
CC3: 45 (60, 75, 85, 95, 105, 110) yds / 41 (55, 69, 78,
87, 96, 101) m.
CC4: 30 (30, 35, 35, 40, 45, 50) yds / 27 (27, 32, 32,
37, 41, 46) m.
Needles:
Main gauge needles: US 3 (3.25 mm)
Colorwork gauge needles: US 4 (3.5 mm)
Ribbing (at neck and sleeves): US 2 (2.75 mm)
SIZES
Body shaping needles: US 5 (3.75 mm)
Notions: Stitch Markers, scrap yarn or stitch holders.
XS (S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL)
Shown in size M. Recommended ease: 1‒5 inches (2.5‒
GAUGE
12.5 cm) of positive ease.
26 sts and 40 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single color
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS st st on main gauge needles.
Bust circumference: 32 (36.5, 40, 44.25, 48.5, 52.75, 26 sts and 40 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in colorwork
56) inches / 81.5 (93, 101.5, 112.5, 123, 134, 142) cm. pattern on colorwork gauge needles.
MATERIALS Note!
Yarn: LOFT by Brooklyn Tweed (100% Wyoming-
The Birkin sweater is knit seamlessly in the round
grown Targhee-Columbia wool, 275 yds / 251 m ‒ 50 g)
from the top down. The body is gently shaped into an
or other fingering weight yarn.
a-line by changing needle sizes. The yoke design
features optional bobbles to provide subtle textural
MC: Fossil (oatmeal)
interest.
CC1: Tent (green)
CC2: Camper (pink)
This pattern originally appeared in Issue 2 of Laine
CC3: Bale (yellow)
Magazine.
CC4: Flannel (blue)
1
pattern copyright ©boylandknitworks, 2017, cover photo © Jonna Hietala
B I R K I N
DIRECTIONS
Second increase round:
BODY
Sizes XS and M: *K3, m1L; repeat from * to BOR.
With the ribbing needles and MC, CO 96 (104, 108,
[192 (x, 216, x, x, x, x) sts]
112, 116, 120, 128) sts using your preferred cast-on
method. Sample uses Long Tail Cast-On. Join in the
Size S: (K1, m1L) three times, *k3, m1L; repeat
round and PM to indicate BOR, taking care not to
from * to BOR. [x (210, x, x, x, x, x) sts]
twist sts. This marker indicates the center back of the
sweater.
Size L: K3; *K3, m1L; repeat from * to 3 sts before
BOR, k3. [x (x, x, 222, x, x, x) sts]
RIBBING
Size XL: K3, *k2, m1L; repeat from * to 3 sts
Rnd 1: *K2, p2; repeat from * to BOR.
before BOR, k3.[x (x, x, x, 258, x, x) sts]
Repeat rnd 1, establishing 2x2 ribbing, until work
Sizes XXL and XXXL: *K2, m1L; repeat from * to
measures ¾ (¾,¾,¾, 1, 1, 1)” / 2 (2, 2, 2, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5)
BOR. [x (x, x, x, x, 270, 288) sts]
cm] from cast on edge.
Switch to colorwork gauge needles.
Switch to main gauge needles.
COLORWORK SECTION
First increase rnd: *K2, m1L; repeat from * to BOR.
[144 (156, 162, 168, 174, 180, 192) sts]
Work colorwork Chart 1, using MC and CC1 as
shown.
Next rnd: K around.
BEGIN SHORT ROWS
You will now begin working part of your stitches in
short rows, back and forth, to shape the back neck.
Row 1 (RS): From BOR, k54 (58, 60, 63, 65, 67, 72),
w&t.
Row 2 (WS): Purl to BOR, sm, p54 (58, 60, 63, 65, 67,
72), w&t.
Row 3 (RS): K to 6 sts before last wrapped st, w&t.
Row 4 (WS): P to 6 sts before last wrapped st, w&t.
Repeat Rows 3 and 4 twice more.
Next rnd: K to BOR, sm, k around, working wraps with
their corresponding sts as you come to them.
2
pattern copyright ©boylandknitworks, 2017, cover photo © Jonna Hietala
B I R K I N
Break CC1.
Next rnd: With MC, k around.
Third increase rnd:
Using MC
Size XS and S: K6, *K3, m1L; repeat from* to 6 sts
before BOR, k6. [252 (276, x, x, x, x, x) sts]
Sizes M, XXL, XXXL: *K3, m1L; repeat from * to BOR.
[x (x, 288, x, x, 360, 384) sts]
Size L: (K1, m1L) three times, *K3, m1L; repeat from *
to 3 sts before BOR, (k1, m1L) three times. [x (x, x,
300, x, x, x) sts]
Size XL: K12, *K3, m1L; repeat from * to 12 sts before
BOR, k12. [x (x, x, x, 336, x, x) sts]
Work colorwork Chart 2, using MC, CC2, CC3 and
CC4 as shown.
Note: Bobble sts are optional. Bobbles are made as
follows: Into one stitch, kf,b,f,b, then pass the 2nd, 3rd,
and 4th sts on the right-hand needle separately over the
last st made. To help keep the bobble to the front of your
knitting, with the yarn held in front, slip the bobble st onto
the left hand needle, then wrap the yarn over the front of
the st, then bring the yarn to the back and slip the bobble
back to the right hand needle.
Break all CCs.
3
pattern copyright ©boylandknitworks, 2017, cover photo © Jonna Hietala
B I R K I N
Next rnd: With MC, k around. Fifth increase rnd:
Using MC
Fourth increase rnd:
Using MC Sizes XS and S: No increase, k around.
Sizes XS, S and L: K6, *K4, m1L; repeat from * to 6 sts Size M: *K20, m1L; repeat to BOR. [x (x, 378, x, x, x, x)
before BOR, k6. [312 (342, x, 372, x, x, x) sts] sts]
Sizes M, XL, XXL and XXXL: *K4, m1L; repeat from * to Size L: K4, *K8, m1L; repeat from * to BOR. [x (x, x,
BOR. [x (x, 360, x, 420, 450, 480) sts] 418, x, x, x) sts]
Work colorwork Chart 3, using MC and CC1 as Size XL: *K12, m1L; repeat from * to BOR. [x (x, x, x,
shown. 455, x, x) sts]
Sizes XXL and XXXL: *K10, m1L; repeat from * to BOR.
[x (x, x, x, x, 495, 528) sts]
You should have 312 (342, 378, 418, 455, 495, 528)
sts on the needles.
Continue to work in MC until yoke measures 8 (8.5, 9,
9.75, 10.5, 11.5, 12.5)” / 20.5 (21.5, 23, 25, 26.5, 29,
32) cm from cast on edge, measured at center front of
sweater.
DIVIDE FOR SLEEVES
Next rnd, from BOR, k46 (52, 58, 65, 72, 79, 84), place
next 64 (66, 72, 79, 84, 90, 96) sts on a stitch holder or
scrap yarn and set aside. Make right underarm. Using
cable cast-on method, CO 6 (6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7) sts, PM for
side seam, CO 6 (6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7) sts, join the front body,
k92 (105, 117,130, 143, 157, 168), place next 64 (66,
72, 79, 84, 90, 96) sts on a stitch holder or scrap yarn
and set aside. Make left underarm. Using cable cast-
on method, CO 6 (6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7) sts, PM for side seam,
CO 6 (6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7) sts, join the back body, k to m.
END COLORWORK
You now have 208 (234, 262, 288, 315, 343, 364) sts
Break CC1 and switch to main gauge needles.
on the needles.
Next rnd: K around.
4
pattern copyright ©boylandknitworks, 2017, cover photo © Jonna Hietala
B I R K I N
BODY
Set-up rnd: Back hem ribbing:
Switch to main gauge needles.
For Sizes S, XL, XXL only: M1l, k to BOR. 1 st
increased. For sizes XS, S, M, L and XXL:
[x (244, x, x, 316, 344, x) sts] Row 1 (WS): *P2, k2; repeat from * to end of row.
For Size M only: K1, m1L, k to 1 st before BOR, m1l, Row 2 (RS): *K2, p2; repeat from * to end of row.
k1. 2 sts increased. [x (x, 264, x, x, x, x) sts]
For sizes XL and XXXL:
No increases needed for sizes XS,L and XXXL. Row 1 (WS): *P2, k2; repeat from * to 2 sts from end of row,
p2.
You now have 208 (244, 264, 288, 316, 344, 364) sts
on the needles. Row 2 (RS): *K2, p2; repeat from * to 2 sts from end of row,
k2.
Continue to knit in stockinette for 4” / 10 cm.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until back hem measures 2.5” / 6.5 cm.
Switch to US size 4 (3.5 mm) needles (or one size larger Bind off in pattern.
than main gauge needles).
Front hem ribbing:
Knit 4” / 10 cm more. Rejoin yarn to front held sts to work beginning with a RS
row, using main gauge needles.
Switch to US size 5 (3.75 mm) needles (or 2 sizes larger
than main gauge needles). For sizes XS, S, M, L and XXL:
Row 1 (WS): *P2, k2; repeat from * to end of row.
Continue to knit until body measures 13 (13, 13.5, 14,
14.5, 15, 15.5)” / 33 (33, 34, 35.5, 37, 38, 39) cm from Row 2 (RS): *K2, p2; repeat from * to end of row.
underarm.
For sizes XL and XXXL:
SPLIT FOR HEM Row 1 (WS): *P2, k2; repeat from * to 2 sts from end of row,
Begin working back and forth to create a split p2.
hemline.
Row 2 (RS): *K2, p2; repeat from * to 2 sts from end of row,
Next row: From BOR, k to first side seam marker. k2.
Place next 104 (122, 132, 144, 158, 172, 182) sts (to
next side seam marker) on holder or scrap yarn and Repeat rows 1 and 2 until front hem measures 1.5” / 4 cm.
set aside, removing markers as you come to them. Bind off in pattern.
Turn work and purl back across to end of row,
removing BOR marker as you come to it.
5
pattern copyright ©boylandknitworks, 2017, cover photo © Jonna Hietala
B I R K I N
SLEEVES (Work both sleeves the same): Continue to knit until sleeve measures 11.5 (11.5, 11.5,
Move sleeve sts onto main needle. Join yarn at 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5)” / 29 (29, 29, 30.5, 32, 33, 34.5) cm
underarm to begin knitting around. Knit all sts, picking from underarm.
up and knitting 12 (12, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14) underarm sts
when you come to them, placing m in center of Decrease rnd (Size L only): K1, k2tog, knit to BOR. [x (x,
underarm sts for BOR. x, 80, x, x, x) sts]
You should have 76 (78, 86, 93, 98, 104, 110) sts on the
needles. RIBBING
Next rnd: From BOR, k around.
Switch to ribbing gauge needles.
Repeat until sleeve measures 2” / 5 cm from underarm.
Rnd 1: *K2, p2; repeat from * to BOR.
Decrease rnd: K1, k2tog, k to 3 sts before m, ssk, k1. 2
sts decreased. [74 (76, 84, 91, 96, 102, 108) sts] Repeat rnd 1, following established 2x2 pattern until
sleeve cuff measures 2” / 5 cm.
K 10 rnds.
Bind off in pattern.
Decrease rnd: K1, k2tog, k to 3 sts before m, ssk, k1. 2
sts decreased. [72 (74, 82, 89, 94, 100, 106) sts] FINISHING:
Repeat knitting 10 rnds. Weave in ends and block.
Continue working a decrease rnd for every 10 rnds of
knitting until you have 60 (64, 72, 81, 84, 92, 96) sts
left.
6
pattern copyright ©boylandknitworks, 2017, cover photo © Jonna Hietala
B I R K I N
ABBREVIATIONS
For pattern support, contact the designer at
[email protected]
Find more designs by Caitlin Hunter at
www.boylandknitworks.com
On Ravelry as: boylandknitworks
Follow me on Instagram: @boylandknitworks
Share your finished objects and see others on social
media with the tags #boylandknitworks and
#birkinsweater
Huge thanks to Jonna Hietala and Sini Ellen of Laine
magazine for publishing this design in Issue 2 of their
beautiful magazine!
Thank you for supporting independent design!
7
pattern copyright ©boylandknitworks, 2017, cover photo © Jonna Hietala
