Free Knitting Pattern: WOOL-EASE 'Counting Sheep' sweater and hat

SIZES: To fit sizes 4 (6, 8). Directions are for smallest size with larger sizes in parentheses. If there is only one figure, it applies to all sizes.

Chest 28 (30, 32)"
Length 15 (15½", 16)"
Sleeve width at upper arm 15 (16, 16)"

• LION BRAND Wool-Ease, Art. No. 620 (3 oz. balls in solid, heather, and sprinkles colors; 2.5 oz. balls in prints, frosts, and multi/glitter colors)

3 balls Color No. 107 Blue Heather (A)
2 balls Color No. 130 Green Heather (B)
1 ball each Color No. 139 Dark Rose Heather (C)
Color No. 152 Oxford Grey (D)
Color No. 098 Natural Heather (E)
Color No. 402 Wheat (F)

18 sts and 24 rows to 4" in St st using Size 8 needles. TO INSURE PROPER FIT, BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.

NOTE: When working charts, use small balls of yarn for separate areas of color. Twist yarns on WS to avoid holes.

SEED STITCH (over any number of stitches)
Row 1 * K1, p1; rep from * .
Row 2 and all foll rows K the purl sts and p the knit sts.

FENCE PAT I (multiple of 4 sts)
Rows 1 and 3 (RS) K1 B, k1 C, * k3 B, k1 C; rep from * , end k2 B.
Row 2 Purl across with colors as established.
Row 4 With C, purl.
Rows 5 - 7 Rep Rows 1 - 3.

FENCE PAT II (multiple of 4 sts)
Rows 1 and 3 (RS) K1 B, k1 C, * k3 B, k1 C; rep from * , end k2 B.
Row 2 Purl across with colors as established.
Row 4 With C, purl.
Rows 5 and 7 K1 A, k1 C, * k3 A, k1 C; rep from * , end k2 A.
Row 6 Purl across with colors as established.

BACK
With smaller needles and B, cast on 60 (64, 68) sts. Work in k1, p1 rib as foll:

3 rows B, 2 rows C, 3 rows B and inc 4 sts across last row—64 (68, 72). Change to larger needles. Beg with a k row, work 20 rows in St st (k on RS, p on WS). Work 7 rows in Fence Pat I. With B, beg with a p row and work 17 rows in St st. Work 7 rows in Fence Pat II. With A, beg with a p row and work even in St st until piece measures 15 (15½, 16)" from beg, end with a WS row. Bind off 17 (18, 19) sts at beg of next 2 rows. Place rem 30 (32, 34) sts on holder.

FRONT
Cast on and rib as for back, inc 4 sts across last row. Change to larger needles and beg with a k row, work 4 rows in St st.

Beg Chart #1: Row 1 (RS) K5 (7, 9) B, place marker (pm), * work 12 sts of Chart #1, pm, k9 B, pm, rep from * once, work 12 sts of Chart #1, pm, k5 (7, 9) B. Working sheep in seed st as noted and all other sts in St st, work as established through chart Row 16. Work 7 rows of Fence Pat I. With B, purl 1 row.

Rep Chart #1: Row 1 (RS) K 15 (17, 19) B, pm, work 12 sts of Chart #1, pm, k9, pm, work 12 sts of Chart #1, pm, k 16 (18, 20) B. Work sts as before to top of chart. Work 7 rows Fence Pat II. With A, beg with a p row and work 11 (13, 15) rows in St st.

k 32 A, pm, work 11 sts of Chart #2, pm, k5 (7, 9) A. Work sts as established through chart Row 5. With A, p 1 row.

Rep Chart #2: Row 1 K27 (29, 31) A, pm, work 11 sts of Chart #2, pm, k26 (28, 30) A. Work sts as before to top of chart. With A only, cont in St st until piece measures 13 (13½, 14)" from beg, end with a WS row.

Shape Neck: Next Row (RS) K24 (25, 26), place 16 (18, 20) sts on holder, join 2nd ball of yarn and k to end. Working both sides at once, bind off from each neck edge 3 sts once, then dec 1 st each side every other row 4 times. Bind off rem sts.

SLEEVES
With smaller needles and B, cast on 34 (38, 38) sts. Work in k1, p1 rib as foll:

3 rows B, 2 rows C, 3 rows B and inc 6 sts across on last row—40 (44, 44) sts. Change to larger needles. With B, beg with a k row and work 10 rows in St st. Work 7 rows in Fence Pat II. With A, cont in in St st, AT SAME TIME, inc 1 st each side every 4th row 12 times, every 6th row twice—68 (72, 72) sts. Work even and when piece measures 12 (12½, 13)" from beg, bind off all sts.

Neckband With RS facing, smaller needles and A, pick up and k70 (74, 78) sts evenly around neck edge. Work 1" in k1, p1 rib. Sew right shoulders, including neckband. Place markers 7½ (8, 8)" down from shoulders on front and back. Sew straight edge of sleeves between markers. Sew side and sleeve seams. With D, work French knots or make small loops for sheep’s ears.

HAT
With smaller needles and B, cast on 80 sts. Work 7 rows in k1, p1 rib. Change to larger needles. Beg with k row, work 4 rows in St st.

Beg Chart #1: Row 1 (RS) K4 B, place marker (pm), * work 12 sts of Chart #1, pm, k8 B, pm; rep from * twice, work 12 sts of Chart #1, pm, k4 B. Work sheep in seed st as noted and all other sts in St st, work as established through chart Row 16. Piece measures approx 3½" from beg. Work fence pat as foll:

Row 1 (RS) * K2 B, k1 C; rep from * , end k2 B.
Row 2 Purl with colors as established.
Row 3 With C, knit.
Row 4 * P2 A, p1 C; rep from * , end p2 A.
Row 5 * K2 A, k1 C; rep from * , end k2 A. With A, p 1 row.
Beg Crown: Dec Row 1 (RS) * K9, k2tog; rep from * , end k3—73 sts.

P 1 row.
Dec Row 2 * K8, k2tog; rep from * , end k3—59 sts. P 1 row.
Dec Row 3 * K7, k2tog; rep from * , end k3—52 sts. P 1 row.
Dec Row 4 * K6, k2tog; rep from * , end k3—45 sts. P 1 row.
Dec Row 5 * K5, k2tog; rep from * , end k3—45 sts. P 1 row.
Dec Row 6 * K4, k2tog; rep from * , end k3—38 sts. P 1 row.
Dec Row 7 * K3, k2tog; rep from * , end k3—31 sts. P 1 row.
Dec Row 8 * K2tog; rep from * , end k1—16 sts. P 1 row. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through rem sts, pull tog tightly and sew seam

ABBREVIATIONS:
approx = approximately beg = begin(ning) cont = continue dec = decrease foll = follow(s)(ing) inc = increase K = knit P = purl pat = pattern	pm = place marker rem = remain(ing) rep = repeat RS = right side st(s) = stitch(es) St st = stockinette stitch tog = together WS = wrong side

Every effort has been made to have the knitting and crochet instructions accurate and complete. We cannot be responsible for variance of individual knitters and crocheters, human errors, or typographical mistakes.