Bilbo Sweater Knitting Pattern

The Bilbo Sweater
When Bilbo needs an extra layer to keep him warm on his autumn wanderings through the Shire, this is the sweater he reaches for. The rustic wool yarn bespeaks his Hobbit closeness to the earth, and the cables remind him of the wandering and winding pathways he loves to explore. It’s a dangerous business, going out his front door, but at least he won’t have to worry about the danger of being too cold in his favorite comfortable sweater.

Construction Notes
The body of the sweater begins in the round from the bottom up. After binding-off the underarm stitches, the front and back are worked flat separately with armhole shaping for the sleeves, collar shaping on the front, and short-row shaping for the back neck. The front and back are joined at the shoulders with a three-needle bind-off, and stitches are picked up around the neck opening to work an optional rolled collar. Stitches are then picked up around the armhole to work the set-in sleeves. The sleeve caps are shaped working back and forth in short-rows. Once a sleeve cap is complete, the rest of the sleeve is worked in the round with decreases spaced evenly down to the wrist, before finishing with a ribbed cuff.

Sizes 

1, 2, 3 (4, 5, 6) 7, 8, 9

Finished Measurements 

See pattern photos for schematic and sizing chart.

Recommended Ease

2-4in (5-10cm) positive ease at bust/chest

Gauge 

16 sts x 24 rows = 4in (10cm) in stockinette worked in the round after blocking
20 sts x 26 rows = 4in (10cm) in cabled pattern worked flat after blocking

Yarn Requirements 

Sample used
Hudson and West Co. Forge in colorway “Fawn” Worsted weight - 100g (235yds/215m)
Sample shown is size 1 and used 5 skeins.

Yardage Requirements
When using suggested yarn: 5, 5, 6 (7, 8, 8) 9, 9, 10 skeins

To substitute:
1130, 1270, 1410 (1560, 1670, 1790) 1935, 2020, 2170 yards
1033, 1161, 1289 (1426, 1527, 1637) 1769, 1847, 1984 meters
worsted weight yarn

(Note: I try to always make my yardage suggestions generous, but you may need more than the suggested yardage if you choose certain modifications like extra length in the body and/or sleeves.)

Needles

US 5 (3.75mm) 16” and 36” circular needles
(optional: US 5 (3.75mm) DPNs for sleeves)

or 
size needed to obtain gauge

Notions

2 locking stitch markers
scrap yarn or stitch holder
tapestry needle
blocking supplies

For questions or pattern support, email refractedlightknits@gmail.com

This pattern has been tech edited.

Copyright October 2023, all rights reserved.