Tracks in the Snow Convertible Shrug Pullover Knitting Pattern

Inspired by seeing animal and bird tracks in the snow during a winter walk and wanting a subtle but Christmassy knit to wear in place of a typical Christmas pullover, I designed this convertible piece: a bolero shaped convertible cardigan with a laced back that becomes a supercrop pullover with bows at the shoulders according to how you fix the ribbon ties.

A garment of this type adds useful variety to the wardrobe and offers extra opportunities to wear a special handmade garment. It has a romantic, delicate look with a stitch pattern reminiscent of the marks made by birds’ feet and animals’ tails in the snow, plus a comfortable squishy feel.

The close-fitting rib sleeves are perfect for those who dread getting their knits caught on every door handle and the optional addition of glitter thread at the very edge appears subtle in daylight but really sparkles like frosted snow as evening draws in and the lights are switched on.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL)(2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
Ease: Button band should be approximately your shoulder width for sizes XS-XL and 5cm/2” longer for sizes 2XL-5XL to accommodate the difference between shoulder width and back width in this size range; Sleeves are made of very stretchy ribbing and have 2” negative ease when unstretched.
Tension (after blocking):
16 sts x 24 rows = 10cm (4”) measured over cable lace pattern and stocking stitch in button bands
23.75 sts x 25 rows = 10cm (4”) measured over twisted rib pattern
Working method: The sleeves are knitted in the round with head worked flat. Body is worked flat and grafted to form a loop. Button bands are picked up on loop edges and sleeves attached between them.

Finished measurements (see schematic)
a. Button band length: 38 (38, 40, 48, 50) (50, 55.5, 58, 58) cm /15 (15, 15.5, 19, 19.5) (19.5, 22, 23, 23)”
b. Upper sleeve circumference: 22.5 (24.5, 27, 28.5, 33) (38, 41.5, 44.5, 47)cm / 9 (9.5, 10.5, 11, 13) (15, 16.5, 17.5, 18.5)”
c. Body panel width: 18cm / 7”
d. Sleeve length: 42 (43, 43, 44.5, 44.5) (45.5, 45.5, 47, 47)cm / 16.5 (17, 17, 17.5, 17.5) (18, 18, 18.5, 18.5)”

Requirements
Drops Nepal (65% Wool, 35% Alpaca; 75m per 50g) or similar aran/worsted yarn. Sample in 1101 White
625 (675, 725, 800, 875) (975, 1075, 1175, 1225)m / 700 (750, 800, 875, 975) (1075, 1175, 1300, 1350) yd / 9 (9, 10, 11, 12) (13, 15, 16, 17) balls
2 x 1m/1yd lengths of ribbon/cord/i-cord
5mm straight needles
4.5mm DPNs/circular needle
2 stitch markers (optional: extra markers to secure when sewing up)
Yarn needle and scissors

You can use your favourite provisional cast on technique for this pattern. I used a crochet cast on in cotton yarn so it wouldn’t tangle with the fluffy yarn of the finished item.

This pattern includes the instructions “cont. in patt.” during the twisted rib sleeves, which means that you should continue to work in the established pattern. In this pattern, this means matching each stitch to the stitch directly below it.

I sometimes add extra resources for my patterns, e.g. yarn substitutions, adaptations, styling suggestions or helpful video clips as updates on my original blog post for the release, so consider checking it out here.