How to Knit a Tailfin Sweater: A Step-by-Step Guide
Knitting Needle and Yarn Information
Knitting Needle Size: 11 or 8 mm, Circular Knitting Needles
Yarn Weight: (6) Super Bulky/Super Chunky (4-11 stitches for 4 inches)
Gauge: 8 sts and 13 rows = 4" [10 cm] in stocking stitch.
Finished Size
Child: Approx 46" [117 cm] circumference x 45" [114.5 cm] long (excluding tailfin).
Adult: Approx 64" [162.5 cm] circumference x 66" [167.5 cm] long (excluding tailfin).
Materials List
- Bernat® Blanket Brights™ (10.5 oz/300 g; 220 yds/201 m)
- Child: Lemonade Varg (12012) - 3 balls or 570 yds/520 m
- Adult: Go-Go Green (12004) - 5 balls or 1050 yds/960 m
- Size U.S. 11 (8 mm) circular knitting needles 36" [90 cm] and 16" [40.5 cm] long or size needed to obtain gauge
- Stitch marker
Instructions
The instructions are written for the smaller size. If changes are necessary for the larger size, the instructions will be written thus ( ). Numbers for each size are shown in the same color throughout the pattern. When only one number is given in black, it applies to both sizes.
Body
With longer circular needle, cast on 88 (124) sts. Join in rnd, placing a marker on the first st.
1st rnd: *K1, P1. Rep from * around.
2nd rnd: *P1, K1. Rep from * around. Rep last 2 rnds Seed St Pat twice more.
Next rnd: Knit, inc 4 sts evenly around. 92 (128) sts.
Knit even in rnds until work from cast on edge measures 22 (36)" [56 (91.5) cm].
Shape body: Next rnd: *K21 (30), K2tog. Rep from * around. 88 (124) sts. Knit 5 rnds even.
Next rnd: *K20 (29), K2tog. Rep from * around. 84 (120) sts.
Knit 5 rnds even.
Next rnd: *K19 (28), K2tog. Rep from * around. 80 (116) sts.
Knit 5 rnds even.
Next rnd: *K18 (27), K2tog. Rep from * around. 76 (112) sts.
Knit 5 rnds even.
Note: Change to shorter circular needle when necessary to accommodate sts.
Continue decreasing 4 sts evenly (as established) around next and following 6th rnds until there are 44 (92) sts.
Adult Size only: Continue decreasing 4 sts evenly (as established) around next and following 4th rnds until there are 52 sts.
Both Sizes: Knit even in rnds until work from beginning measures 45 (66)" [114.5 (167.5) cm]. Cast off. Sew cast off edge of Body together.
Tailfin
Note: Tailfin is worked side to side with short-turn row shaping.
Cast on 42 (48) sts. Working back and forth across needle in rows, proceed as follows:
Knit 3 rows (garter st).
Next row: (WS). Cast off 3 sts. Knit to last 4 sts. Turn. Leave remaining 4 sts unworked.
Next row: Knit.
Next 2 rows: Knit across all sts. Rep from the previous step 8 (10) times more. 15 sts remaining.
Next row: (WS). Cast on 3 sts. Knit to last 4 sts. Turn. Leave remaining 4 sts unworked.
Next row: Knit.
Next 2 rows: Knit across all sts. Rep from the previous step 8 (10) times more. 42 (48) sts.
Cast off all sts.
Finishing
Gather top edge of Tailfin to fit the lower edge (cast off edge) of Body and sew in position.
