Tundra

Tundra Knit Sweater by Kristen TenDyke

What is Being Made

Tundra is a knitted sweater designed by Kristen TenDyke for Caterpillar Knits. This intermediate-level pullover sweater is available in eight different sizes, with finished bust circumferences ranging from 30 inches (76 cm) to 55½ inches (141 cm), making it suitable for a wide range of body sizes.

Yarn and Materials

The Tundra sweater is worked in Aran weight yarn, specifically shown in Quince & Co's Osprey, which is made from 100% American wool. Each hank weighs 100 grams and provides approximately 170 yards (156 meters) of yardage. The pattern requires 7 to 11 hanks depending on the finished size selected, allowing crafters to choose the appropriate yardage for their desired garment dimensions.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Tundra sweater incorporates several key knitting techniques to create its textured design:

• Basket Stitch: A decorative stitch pattern that creates a woven texture. This stitch is worked by knitting one stitch, then working a decrease (p3tog) while keeping the stitches on the left needle, followed by a yarn over and purling the same three stitches together again, then knitting one stitch. The pattern repeats across the row. When working Basket Stitch, the first and last stitches of each row are purled rather than slipped to maintain clean edges.
• Star Pattern: A charted stitch pattern that is worked over rows 1–4 and then repeated throughout the garment. The chart indicates where to begin and end the pattern based on the crafter's selected size.
• Three Needle Bind Off Method: An advanced finishing technique used to join garment pieces together. This method involves placing stitches from holders onto two separate needles, positioning the right sides of the garment pieces together to create a ridge on the inside of the sweater, and then binding off while simultaneously joining the pieces.

Pattern Structure

The Tundra pattern is presented as a downloadable PDF document and includes detailed schematics with finished measurements for all eight sizes. The pattern uses both written instructions and charted stitch patterns to guide knitters through construction, with size-specific guidance for where to begin and end pattern repeats based on individual measurements.

Skill Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, the Tundra sweater is appropriate for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with textured stitch patterns, chart reading, and intermediate finishing techniques such as the three needle bind off method.