Montera Coat     This sweater incorporates some of my very favorite design aspects: a belted waist, a loose, drapey skirt, a hem, and a V. However, the V is not in the front this time, but rather, in the back! I've always loved V-neck sweaters, but I find they're not always as warm as I'd like—at least, not with the V in the front. So, this idea came to me, and I thought "hey, why not. Let's try it!". As the drawing and swatch took shape, I knew I was falling in love! And with the cold cold New England weather ahead, I just I had to knit this sweater! The night I decided to cast on, I had just learned that someone very close to me had just been diagnosed with cancer. My mind was whirring a mile a minute and I couldn't stop it. Thankfully, casting on 232 stitches insisted on my complete attention. By the time I had joined the hem, my mind was calm enough for me to fall asleep. Throughout the next few weeks, the knitting of this sweater really helped keep me sane. There are parts that can be whipped up easily—like the skirt and sleeves—and other parts that require complete attention—like the whole upper body. I was certainly thankful for both. Now that it's all finished, I've been wearing lots! Throughout the fall, it was often the sweater I grabbed on my way out the door. Now that it's winter it really keeps me warm through the drafty brick, mill building walls where I work.       free  view now Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL) Finished Measurements: 32¼ (36¾, 40, 43¾, 47¾, 51½, 55)" Yarn Requirements: Montera by Classic Elite 50% llama, 50% wool 100 gram hank = approx 127 yards • 8 (9, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) hanks 3827 Cochineal Knitting Needles: • One 40" circular size US 9 (5.5 mm) • One 40" circular size US 10.5 (6.5 mm) • One set double pointed needles size US 10.5 (6.5 mm) Or size to obtain gauge. Gauge: 14 sts and 21 rows = 4" in Stockinette Stitch with larger needles. Take time to save time, check your gauge.       Photos courtesy of James Clark.