BIRKIN

BY CAITLIN HUNTER
BIRKIN
BY CAITLIN HUNTER
 BIRKIN

MATERIALS Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) {7, 8, 9, 10}

Yarn: Shown in size 3. Recommended ease: 1‒5" [2.5‒12.5 cm]
Multicolor yoke version: of positive ease at the bust and 1-2" [2.5-5 cm] of positive
LOFT by Brooklyn Tweed (100% Wyoming-grown ease at the sleeve. See schematic on page 7 for full fit
Targhee-Columbia wool, 275 yds [251 m] ‒ 50 g) or other details.
fingering weight yarn.
Yardage: Please note that yardage is estimated, and
MC: Fossil (oatmeal)
can vary between knitters.
CC1: Tent (green)
Multi-color version
CC2: Camper (pink)
MC (natural): 990 (1114, 1237, 1361, 1485, 1609)
CC3: Bale (yellow)
CC4: Flannel (blue) {1732, 1856, 1980, 2103} yards [905 (1018, 1131,
1244, 1357, 1470) {1584, 1696, 1809, 1923} meters]
2-color version:
Shetland by Harrisville Designs (100% virgin wool, 217 C1 (green): 48 (54, 60, 66, 72,78) {84, 90, 96, 102}
yds [198.5 m] ‒ 50 g) or other fingering weight yarn. yards [44 (50, 55, 61, 66, 72) {77, 83, 88, 94} meters]

MC: Walnut C2 (pink): 56 (63, 70, 77, 84, 91) {98, 105, 112, 119}
CC: Oatmeal yards [52 (58, 64, 71, 77, 84) {90, 96, 103, 109} meters]

Needles: C3 (yellow): 60 (67, 74, 82, 89, 97) {104, 111, 119,
Main gauge needles: US 3 [3.25 mm] 126} yards [55 (61, 68, 75, 82, 88) {95, 102, 109, 115}
Ribbing (at neck and sleeves): US 2 [2.75 mm]
meters]
Body shaping needles 1: US 4 [3.5 mm]
Body shaping needles 2: US 5 [3.75 mm]
C4 (blue): 22 (25, 27, 30, 33, 36) {38, 41, 44, 46} yards
Notions: Stitch Markers, scrap yarn or stitch holders
[20, 23, 25, 28, 30, 33) {35, 37, 40, 42} meters]
GAUGE
26 sts and 40 rows = 4 inches [10 cm] in single color st st Note- if you prefer to do a 2 color version, the CC
on main gauge needles. requirement is listed below.
One color CC yardage: 209 (235, 261, 288, 314, 340)
26 sts and 40 rows = 4 inches [10 cm] in colorwork {366, 392, 416, 444} yards [191, 215, 239, 263, 287,
pattern on main gauge needles. 309) {334, 358, 381, 406} meters]

Note- You should always knit your swatch the same way that Note!
the pattern is knit—in this case, in the round. Block your The Birkin sweater is knit seamlessly in the round from
swatch as you will your finished garment and allow it to dry the top down. The body is gently shaped into an a-line by
fully before measuring. You may find that you need to change
changing needle sizes. The yoke design features optional
needle sizes when knitting colorwork to maintain the required
bobbles to provide subtle textural interest.
gauge.

This pattern originally appeared in Issue 2 of Laine

Magazine.

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pattern copyright ©boylandknitworks, 2017, 2021
 BIRKIN
DIRECTIONS YOKE CHART
NECKLINE Begin chart, changing colors and making increases
With the ribbing needles and MC, CO 100 (104, 108, as shown. Make sure to follow the correct chart for
112, 116, 120) {128, 132, 136, 140} sts using your your size. Charts for sizes 1-4 are found on page 5,
preferred cast-on method. Sample uses Long Tail sizes 5-10 are found on page 6. Use colorwork
Cast-On. Join in the round and PM to indicate BOR, gauge needles if needed to maintain gauge.
taking care not to twist sts. This marker indicates the
center back of the sweater. End chart. Break all but MC. Change back to main
gauge needles if needed.
RIBBING
Round 1: *K2, p2; repeat from * to BOR. 325 (338, 378, 392, 464, 480) {576, 594, 612, 630}
Repeat Round 1 eight times more. sts

Switch to main gauge needles. K 1 round.

Increase Round 1: *K2, m1L; repeat from * to BOR. Increase Round 2:

150 (156, 162, 168, 174, 180) {192, 198, 204, 210} sts Size 1: K54, (m1L, 108) twice, m1L, k55. 3 sts
increased. 3 sts increased
K 1 round. Size 2: K14, M1, k29, (M1, k28) 9 times, M1, k29,
M1, k14. 12 sts increased
SHORT ROWS Size 3: K94, M1, k189, M1, k95. 2 sts increased
You will now begin working part of your stitches in Sizes 4: K9, (M1, k17) 2 times, (M1, k18) 17 times,
short rows, back and forth, to shape the back neck. (M1, k17) 2 times, M1, k9. 22 sts increased
This pattern uses the wrap and turn short row Size 5: K58, (M1, k116) 3 times, M1, k58. 4 sts
method, but you can substitute any short row method increased
you prefer. Size 6: K17, (M1, k35) 2 times, (M1, k34) 9 times,
(M1, k35) 2 times, M1, k17. 14 sts increased
Row 1 (RS): From BOR, k 43 (45, 47, 48, 50, 52) {55, Sizes 7 and 8: K. 0 sts increased
57, 59, 61} sts, w&t. Size 9: K38, (M1, k77) 2 times, (M1, k76) 3 times,
(M1, k77) 2 times, M1, k38. 8 sts increased
Row 2 (WS): P 43 (45, 47, 48, 50, 52) {55, 57, 59, 61}, Size 10: K16, (M1, k31) 5 times, (M1, k32) 9 times,
sm, p 43 (45, 47, 48, 50, 52) {55, 57, 59, 61} sts, w&t. (M1, k31) 5 times, M1, k16. 20 sts increased

Row 3 (RS): K to 5 sts before last wrapped st, w&t. 328 (350, 380, 414, 468, 494) {576, 594, 620 650}
sts
Row 4 (WS): P to 5 sts before last wrapped st, w&t.
Knit 1 (2, 3, 6, 6, 9) {10, 12, 14, 16} round(s).
Repeat Rows 3 and 4 twice more.

Next Round: K to BOR, sm, k around, working wraps

with their corresponding sts as you come to them.

Knit 1 (3, 6, 6, 8, 9) {10, 12, 14, 16} round(s).

pattern copyright ©boylandknitworks, 2017, 2021 2

 BIRKIN
SEPARATE BODY AND SLEEVES Decrease Round:
Still using MC and main needle, from BOR, k 49 (54, Size 1: K25, (k2tog, k50) 3 times, k2tog, k25. 4 sts
60, 65, 73, 76) {87, 92, 97, 102} sts, place next 66 decreased
(67, 70, 76, 88, 94) {113, 113, 116, 120} sts on Size 2: K19, (k2tog, k37) 5 times, k2tog, k18. 6 sts
holder for right sleeve, cast on 6 (9, 10, 12, 10, 16) decreased
{7, 11, 14, 16} sts for underarm, k 98 (108, 120, 131, Sizes 3 and 7: K. 0 sts decreased
146, 153) {175, 184, 194, 205} sts, place next 66 Sizes 4 and 8: K2tog, k141 (193), k2tog, k to BOR. 2
(67, 70, 76, 88, 94) {113, 113, 116, 120} sts on sts decreased
holder left sleeve, cast on 6 (9, 10, 12, 10, 16) {7, 11, Size 5: K38, (k2tog, k76) 3 times, k2tog, k38. 4 sts
14, 16} sts for underarm, k to BOR. decreased
Size 6: K 28, (k2tog, k54) 5 times, k2tog, k28. 6 sts
208 (234, 260, 286, 312, 338) {364, 390, 416, 442} decreased
body sts Size 9: K 51, (k2tog, k102) 3 times, k2tog, k51. 4 sts
decreased
BODY Size 10: K51, (k2tog, k102) 3 times, k2tog, k51. 4 sts
With MC and main needle, knit in stockinette for 4” decreased
[10 cm].
204 (228, 260, 284, 308, 332) {364, 388, 412, 436} sts
Switch to body shaping needles 1 (or one size larger
than main gauge needles). SPLIT FOR HEM
Begin working back and forth to create a split hemline.
Knit 4” [10 cm] more.
Next Row (RS): From BOR, k 51 (57, 65, 71, 77, 83)
Switch to body shaping needles 2 (or 2 sizes larger {91, 97, 103, 109}. Place next 102 (114, 130, 142, 154,
than main gauge needles). 166) {182, 194, 206, 218} sts on holder or scrap yarn
and set aside, removing markers as you come to them.
Continue to knit until body measures 13” [33 cm] Turn work and purl back across to end of row,
from underarm, or to your preferred length. removing BOR marker as you come to it.

Back hem ribbing:

Switch to main gauge needles.
Working back 102 (114, 130, 142, 154, 166) {182, 194,
206, 218} sts only.

Row 1 (RS): K2, *p2, k2; repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2 (WS): P2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until back hem measures 2.5”

[6.5 cm], ending with a WS row. Bind off in pattern.

pattern copyright ©boylandknitworks, 2017, 2021 3

 BIRKIN
Front hem ribbing: Continue to work in stockinette until sleeve
Move front sts onto needle and rejoin yarn to begin measures 11.5 (11.5, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13) {13.5, 13.5,
working a RS row. 13.5, 13.5}” [29 (29, 29, 30.5, 32, 33) {34.5, 34.5,
Working front 102 (114, 130, 142, 154, 166) {182, 34.5, 34.5} cm] from underarm, or 2" [5 cm] less
194, 206, 218} sts only. than total desired sleeve length. .

Row 1 (RS): K2, *p2, k2; repeat from * to end of row. RIBBING
Row 2 (WS): P2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end of Switch to ribbing gauge needles.
row.
Round 1: *K2, p2; repeat from * to BOR.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until front hem measures 1.5”
[4 cm] ending with a WS row. Bind off in pattern. Repeat Round 1 until sleeve cuff measures 2” [5
cm].
SLEEVES (Work both sleeves the same):
Move sleeve sts onto main needle. Join yarn at Bind off in pattern.
underarm to begin knitting around. Knit all sts,
picking up and knitting 6 (9, 10, 12, 10, 16) {7, 11, FINISHING:
14, 16} underarm sts when you come to them, Weave in ends and block.
placing m in center of underarm sts for BOR.

72 (76, 80, 88, 98, 110) {120, 124, 130, 136} sts

Next Round: From BOR, k around.

Work in stockinette until sleeve measures 1" [2.5

cm] from underarm. .

Sleeve Decreases:
Decrease Round: K1, k2tog, k to 3 sts before m, ssk,
k1. 2 sts decreased

70 (74, 78, 86, 96, 108) {118, 122, 128, 134} sts

K 10 (10, 10, 8, 6, 6) {6, 6, 6, 6} rounds.

Repeat as above- decrease round followed by 10

(10, 10, 8, 6, 6) {6, 6, 6, 6} rounds 5 (5, 7, 9, 12, 14)
{13, 13, 14, 15} times more.

60 (64, 64, 68, 72, 80) {92, 96, 100, 104} sts

pattern copyright ©boylandknitworks, 2017, 2021 4

 BIRKIN
SIZES 1&2 SIZES 3&4 KEY

HOW TO MAKE BOBBLES

Kfbfbf (into the front then back
then front etc. until you have 5
loops on right needle). Pass 2nd,
3rd, 4th and 5th loops on right
needle over the first loop. Slip
stitch back to left needle and knit
it. Slip back to left needle and knit
it again. You can find a video
tutorial for this technique at
https://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=yYxKlx07UYk&t=4s

pattern copyright ©boylandknitworks, 2017, 2021

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 BIRKIN
SIZES 5&6 SIZES 7-10 KEY

HOW TO MAKE BOBBLES

Kfbfbf (into the front then back
then front etc. until you have 5
loops on right needle). Pass 2nd,
3rd, 4th and 5th loops on right
needle over the first loop. Slip
stitch back to left needle and knit
it. Slip back to left needle and knit
it again. You can find a video
tutorial for this technique at
https://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=yYxKlx07UYk&t=4s

pattern copyright ©boylandknitworks, 2017, 2021 6

 BIRKIN
SCHEMATIC
C

F
B
A

D E

pattern copyright ©boylandknitworks, 2017, 2021 7

 BIRKIN
ABBREVIATIONS

For pattern support, please visit my Ravelry Group,

Boyland Knitworks. You can contact the designer at
boylandknitworks@gmail.com.
Find more designs by Caitlin Hunter at
www.boylandknitworks.com
On Ravelry as: boylandknitworks
Follow me on Instagram: boylandknitworks
Share your finished objects and see others on social
media with the tags #boylandknitworks and
#birkinsweater
Thank you for supporting independent design!

Huge thanks to Jonna Hietala and Sini Ellen of Laine

magazine for publishing this design in Issue 2 of their
beautiful magazine!
Thank you for supporting independent design!

pattern copyright ©boylandknitworks, 2017, 2021

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