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Pepper the Fox Sweater Pattern

Pepper the Fox Sweater Pattern
4.5★ Rating
20-30 Hours Time Needed
2.8K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

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Multi-Day Project

A rewarding 12+ hour journey—perfect for dedicated crafters who love detailed work.

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Playful Twist

Fun patterns meet timeless design in pieces that express personality while remaining wonderfully wearable.

About This Pepper the Fox Sweater Pattern

This pattern guides you through creating the 'Pepper the Fox' sweater, a stunning colorwork garment inspired by wilderness adventures. It features a distinctive yoke design with fox motifs and offers complete instructions for both bottom-up and top-down constructions. The design is unisex and size-inclusive, making it perfect for the whole family.

Pepper the Fox Sweater Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

With options for two different construction methods, you can choose the technique that suits your knitting style best. The comprehensive sizing ensures a perfect fit for everyone from babies to adults.

Why You'll Love This Pepper the Fox Sweater Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it captures the spirit of adventure in every stitch. The fox motif is just adorable without being too childish, making it great for all ages. I really appreciate how the design includes both construction methods, giving you total freedom to knit it your way. Plus, the thought behind the design—that it grows with you—makes it feel so special and personal.

Pepper the Fox Sweater Pattern step 1 - construction progress Pepper the Fox Sweater Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Pepper the Fox Sweater Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Pepper the Fox Sweater Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how adaptable this pattern is for different needs and climates! Since it includes instructions for both top-down and bottom-up construction, you can choose the method that you find most comfortable or enjoyable.

Want a garment that's perfect for rugged outdoor use? Try using an untreated wool like Icelandic or Norwegian wool. These fibers are robust, water-repellent, and self-cleaning, making them ideal for adventures in the snow or woods.

For a softer, everyday sweater that fits easily under a jacket, stick to a superwash merino like the sample. It's gentle against the skin and provides excellent warmth without being too heavy.

You can also play with the color palette! While the fox motif looks classic in rust and orange, you could try a monochrome look with greys and blacks for a 'silver fox' vibe, or use fantasy colors for a whimsical twist.

If you prefer a vest or a short-sleeved top for transitional weather, you can simply bind off the sleeve stitches earlier or skip the sleeve knitting entirely and finish the armholes with a neat ribbing.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Pulling the contrast yarn too tightly during colorwork will cause the fabric to pucker; keep your floats loose and stretch the stitches on the needle occasionally. ✗ Ignoring the gauge swatch can lead to a garment that doesn't fit; always measure your gauge before starting, especially for a fitted garment like this. ✗ Inconsistent color dominance makes the pattern look uneven; always hold the dominant color in the same hand position throughout the project. ✗ Skipping the blocking process leaves the stitches looking uneven; soak and block your finished sweater to let the colorwork settle beautifully.

Pepper the Fox Sweater Pattern

Immerse yourself in the charm of the outdoors with this delightful fox-themed sweater pattern. Designed to grow with you, this pattern covers an impressive range of 24 sizes from 6 months to 5XL. Whether you prefer knitting top-down or bottom-up, this versatile design allows you to create a unique, heirloom-quality garment featuring a whimsical fox colorwork yoke.

Intermediate 20-30 Hours

Materials Needed for Pepper the Fox Sweater Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Light/DK Weight Yarn (11 wpi)
  • 02
    Main Color (Col 1): Blå Turkis 7213 - approx (150-1100) g depending on size
  • 03
    Contrast Color 1 (Col 2): Rust 3355 - approx (50-250) g depending on size
  • 04
    Contrast Color 2 (Col 3): Honninggul 2325 - approx (50-100) g depending on size
  • 05
    Sandnes Merinoull used in sample (50g/105m)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Double pointed needles: 3mm and 3.5mm
  • 02
    Circular needles 40 or 60 cm: 3mm and 3.5mm
  • 03
    Circular needles 80 cm: 3mm and 3.5mm
  • 04
    Stitch markers
  • 05
    Measuring tape
  • 06
    Scissors
  • 07
    Tapestry needle
  • 08
    Scrap yarn or stitch holders

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Bottom-Up Construction : Body

Cast On :

Cast on (108, 120, 132)(144, 156, 172) (184, 192, 200) - {176, 188, 200}{ 212, 224, 236}{ 248, 260, 272} {284,296,308 }{320, 332,344 } stitches on needle size 3 mm/2.5 with Main color. Position a stitch marker to mark the start of the round.

Ribbing :

Work (3, 3, 3) (4, 4, 4) (5, 5, 5) - {7, 7, 7}{7, 7, 7}{7, 7, 7} {7, 7, 7}{7, 7, 7} cm in rib (1 knit, 1 purl).

Body Stockinette :

Change to needle size 3.5 mm/4. Place a marker after (54, 60, 66)(72, 78, 86) (92, 96, 100) - {88, 94, 100}{106, 112, 118}{124, 130, 136}{142, 148, 154 }{ 160, 166, 172} stitches to separate front from the back.

Continue Body :

Continue in stockinette stitch with maincolor until work measures (17, 19, 21)(22, 25, 28) (32, 34, 38) - {38, 38, 40} {42, 45, 45} {45, 45, 46} {46, 47,47} {48, 48, 48} cm.

Armholes :

Place the first (3, 3, 3) (3, 4, 5) (5, 5, 4) - {5, 5, 5}{5, 5, 5}{5, 5, 5} {5, 5, 5}{5, 5, 5} stitches and the last (4, 4, 4) (4, 5, 5) (6, 5, 5){6, 6, 6}{6, 6, 6} {6, 6, 6}{6, 6, 6} {6, 6, 6} stitches on the round on a sleeve holder for armholes, a total of (7, 7, 7) (7, 9, 10) (11, 10, 9) - {11, 11, 11} {11, 11, 11} {11, 11, 11} {11, 11, 11} {11, 11, 11} stitches. Set work aside.

— Bottom-Up Construction : Sleeves

Cast On :

Cast on (36, 36, 36) (36, 36, 40) (40, 40, 40) - {40, 40, 40}{42, 42, 42}{42, 42, 42} {44, 44, 44} {44, 46, 46} stitches on needle size 3 mm/2.5 with Main color. Mark start of round.

Ribbing :

Work (3, 3, 3) (4, 4, 4) (5, 5, 5) - {7, 7, 7}{7, 7, 7}{7, 7, 7} {7, 7, 7}{7, 7, 7} cm in rib (1 knit, 1 purl).

Increases :

Change to needle size 3.5 mm/4. Continue in stockinette with maincolor and increase 2 sts on underside of sleeve (1 st after first st, 1 st before last st). Repeat every 4 rounds until you have (50, 52, 54) (56, 58, 60) (64, 68, 72) - {70, 72, 74}{76, 78, 80}{82, 84, 86} {88, 90, 92}{94, 96, 98} stitches.

Length :

Knit until sleeve measures (17, 19, 21)(24, 28, 32) (34, 36, 40) - {44, 45, 47} {50, 50, 50} {50, 52, 52) 52, 52,52} {53, 53, 53} cm.

Armholes :

Place first and last stitches (same count as body armholes) on a holder. Total of (7, 7, 7) (7, 9, 10) (11, 10, 9) - {11, 11, 11} etc. stitches on hold. Knit second sleeve same as first.

— Bottom-Up Construction : Yoke

Assemble :

Assemble body and sleeves on a 3.5 mm/4 circular needle. Place marker at first join. Work stockinette over first sleeve, then front piece, place next armhole stitches on holder. Knit over other sleeve and back piece.

Stitch Count :

You should now have (176, 192, 208) (224, 240, 256) (272, 288, 304) - {272, 288, 304}{ 320, 336, 352}{ 368, 384, 400}{416, 432, 448 }{464, 480, 496 } stitches.

Chart Setup :

Knit (1, 1, 1) (2, 3, 4) (5, 5, 5) - {1, 2, 4}{ 5, 6, 7}{ 8, 9, 10}{11, 12, 13 }{14, 15, 16} rounds with main color straight.

Work Chart :

Work pattern according to Chart and decrease as directed. Choose the right size chart.

Neck :

Change to needle size 3 mm/2.5. Work 1 round straight in maincolor decreasing evenly to (80, 82, 84) (86, 86, 86) (86, 86, 86) - {98, 98, 98} {98, 98, 104} {104, 110, 110} {110, 120, 120} {130, 130, 140} stitches.

Neck Rib :

Work (5, 5, 5) (6, 6, 6) (7, 7, 7) {8, 8, 8} etc cm in rib (1 knit, 1 purl). Use a stretchy bind off.

Finishing :

Kitchener stitch the underarms. Weave in loose ends.

— Top-Down Construction : Neck & Yoke

Cast On :

Cast on (80, 82, 84) (86, 86, 86) (86, 86, 86 ) - {98, 98, 98} {98, 98, 104} {104, 110, 110} {110, 120, 120} {130, 130, 140} stitches on needle size 3 mm/2.5 with Main color.

Ribbing :

Work (5, 5, 5) (6, 6, 6) (7, 7, 7) - {8, 8, 8} etc cm in rib (1 knit, 1 purl).

Chart :

Change to 3.5 mm/4 circular needle. Work Chart according to size. Increase according to Chart.

Post-Chart :

Once finished Chart, you will have (176, 192, 208) (224, 240, 256) (272, 288, 304) - {272, 288, 304}{ 320, 336, 352}{ 368, 384, 400}{416, 432, 448 }{464, 480, 496 } stitches.

Plain Rounds :

Knit (1, 1, 1) (2, 3, 4) (5, 5, 5) - {1, 2, 4}{ 5, 6, 7}{ 8, 9, 10}{11, 12, 13 }{14, 15, 16 } rounds with main color straight.

— Top-Down Construction : Divide

Markers :

Place markers to divide work. Place marker after (101, 113, 115)( 137, 147, 162) etc stitches for backside. Place marker after (43, 45, 47) (49, 49, 50) etc stitches for first arm. Place marker after front side stitches.

Divide :

Knit over back side. Cast on (7, 7, 7) (7, 9, 10) etc stitches for underarm. Place first arm stitches on scrapyarn. Join Front side with back side. Cast on underarm stitches for other side. Place second arm on scrapyarn.

— Top-Down Construction : Body

Length :

Knit in stockinette with maincolor until work measures (14, 16, 18)( 18, 21, 24) (27, 29, 33) - {31, 31, 33} {39, 39, 39} {39, 39, 40} {40, 41 ,41} {42, 42, 42 } cm.

Ribbing :

Change to 3 mm/2.5 needle. Work rib (3, 3, 3) (4, 4, 4) (5, 5, 5) - {7, 7, 7} etc cm in 1 knit, 1 purl. Bind off.

— Top-Down Construction : Sleeves

Setup :

Place stitches from scrapyarn on 3.5 mm/4 needle. Pick up the underarm stitches cast on earlier.

Decreases :

Continue in stockinette decreasing 2 sts on underside of sleeve (1 after first st, 1 before last st). Repeat every 4 rounds until target stitch count reached.

Ribbing :

Change to 3 mm/2.5 needle. Work rib as for body. Bind off.

Assembly Instructions

  • For Bottom-Up: Assemble the body and sleeves on one circular needle before beginning the yoke chart.
  • For Top-Down: Divide the yoke into body and sleeves after completing the chart, placing sleeve stitches on scrap yarn.
  • Underarms: Use the Kitchener stitch to close the gaps at the underarms for a seamless finish.
  • Neck: Fold the neck ribbing (if desired for double thickness) and secure, or block simply for a single layer.
  • Weave in all loose ends on the inside of the work to finish.

Important Notes

  • 💡Pay close attention to color dominance; hold the dominant color in the left hand and background in the right for consistent results.
  • 💡Catch floats every 3-5 stitches when working long stretches of a single color to maintain even tension.
  • 💡If your colorwork fabric is tight, consider going up a needle size just for the colorwork section.
  • 💡Always knit a swatch to determine the correct needle size to achieve the gauge stated in the pattern.

This Pepper the Fox sweater is more than just a garment; it's a companion for your outdoor journeys. Whether you're hiking, playing in the snow, or just enjoying a cozy day in, this sweater brings warmth and whimsy to every moment. Knit it up and let the adventures begin! 🦊🧶🌲

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FAQs

What kind of yarn should I use?

The pattern recommends a DK weight yarn (11 wpi). The sample uses Sandnes Merinoull, but other wools like untreated Icelandic or Norwegian wool are great for outdoor use.

Does the pattern include charts?

Yes, the pattern includes detailed colorwork charts for all sizes, with specific charts for bottom-up and top-down constructions.

Is this pattern suitable for beginners?

This is an intermediate pattern due to the colorwork and shaping. However, adventurous beginners comfortable with reading charts and knitting in the round can give it a try.

Can I knit this sweater top-down?

Absolutely! The pattern explicitly includes full instructions for both top-down and bottom-up construction methods.