Alana Dakos newest coat, Bare Branches knit in Rowan Felted Tweed Aran.

Little gathers below the reverse stockinette bodice.

Behind the hood is a little surprise.

The bare branches in stockinette relief against reverse stockinette bodice.

I'm so excited to share this lovely lovely lovely coat with you!  I was commissioned to make this sample ages ago for Alana Dakos of Never Not Knitting.  I had to send it back, (sniff) but before I did I took some modeled pics to share.  It's not a perfect fit for me, and when I make it again for me, and I WILL, I will make it a size smaller.  It's gorgeous, isn't it?  And it was so fun to knit!  Lovely little details with the bare branches in relief and little gathers below the bust.  With all the Rowan I've knit over the years I hadn't knit with Felted Tweed Aran before this.  It's every bit as lovely as Felted Tweed DK.  Soft and tweedy and whole wheaty, I cannot imagine this coat knit in anything but this.  I'm so excited this pattern is finally published.  It's part of Alana's Botanical Knits 2.  I knit a few other samples for the book and will be sharing those soon.  I met Alana at Stitches West a few years ago and she is truly  a d o r a b l e.  You can view all the new patterns of her new book here.  Look for Botanical Knits 2 available to purchase as an ebook or to pre-order in print beginning 10:00 PST, March 3.


Below is a little tute on how to make a folded hem, a technique you will need for this coat.   It makes a very fine finished hem.

You should make this.  xoxo Kristen

How to make a neat folded hem:  1) With a smaller needle, pick up stitches along cast on edge.

2) Fold the work together with wrong sides facing. 3) Knit the picked up cast on stitches together with your knit row. (I had to knit the CO stitches through the back loop.