Cozy Off-the-Shoulder Sweater!

Some of my newer readers may not know this, but I'm quite an avid knitter - especially when the temperatures start to drop!  So, when I woke up a couple days ago, and it was freezing in our house, I decided it was time to break out the knitting needles!  I wanted to do up a quick, off-the-shoulder sweater for just lounging about in that would look nice with jeans or leggings, and I wanted it to have a little bit of shape - not a lot, but just enough where it was form-fitting.  What I came up with is this beautiful, loose sweater that was really easy and quick to do!  If you're interested in the pattern, keep on reading (Pattern is written for size Small/Medium)!

Materials

• 2 skeins Caron Simply Soft in Charcoal Heather
• Size 8 circular needles
• Size 15 needles or size needed to obtain guage
• Tapestry needle

Guage: 11 sts and 13 rows = 4" over St st using size 15 needles.

Directions

Body (Make 2)

With size 8 needles, cast on 68sts.  Work k2, p2 ribbing for 18 rows.

Waist shaping

Row 1: Switching to larger needles, decrease 14 sts evenly (54 sts).

Row 2: purl.

Row 3: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1  (52 sts).

Row 4: purl.

Row 5: knit.

Row 6: p1, p2tog, p to last 3 sts, p2tog, p2 (50 sts).

Row 7: knit.
Row 8: purl.
Row 9: repeat row 3.

Repeat rows 4-9 until 44 sts.  Work 3 rows St st.

Chest shaping

Rows 1-7: Work even St st.

Row 8: p1, inc1, p to last st, inc1, p1 (46 sts).

Repeat rows 1-8 until 52 sts.

Arm hole shaping

Cast off 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows, then cast off 2 sts at the beginning of next 4 rows (38 sts).

Cast off remaining sts.

Sleeves (Make 2)

With size 8 needles, cast on 28 sts.  Work k2, p2 ribbing for 18 rows.

Arm

Row 1: Switching to larger needles, decrease 8 sts evenly.

Rows 2-5: Work even St st.

Row 6: p1, inc1, p to last st, inc1, p1 (22 sts).

Repeat rows 2-6 until 36 sts.  Work 6 more rows even St st.

Arm hole shaping

Cast off 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows, then cast off 2 sts at the beginning of next 4 rows (22 sts).

Cast off remaining sts.

Finishing

Fold sleeves in half, and sew seam from cuff to beginning of arm holes.  Attach front and back pieces together.  Match up arm holes from sleeves to arm holes made between front and back pieces, and sew together.  Using size 8 needles, pick up 140 sts along neck edge, and work k2, p2 ribbing in the round for 9 rounds.  Cast off all sts.  Weave in loose ends, and you're done!