Nerodia Cardigan (Baby/Child)

I created this design in honor of the Chinese Year of the Snake (although it would also be suitable for a little member of Slytherin!. The Chinese zodiac is a 12 year cycle, with a different animal for each year; in addition, each year is also associated with one of five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal or water). 2013 is the year of the Water Snake; water snakes belong to the genus Nerodia.

For a blog post on the design process for this pattern, click [here][1].

Difficulty is Intermediate: Skills include cable knitting, reading charts, picking up stitches, and working in the round.

Snake band is worked sideways; body stitches are then picked up from long side of band. Sleeves are worked in the round to the underarms, then joined to body; the yoke is worked flat. Instructions for the snake band are given in chart form. Cardigan closes with snaps sewn to front bands; buttons are sewn over snaps. Beaded snake eyes and embroidered snake tongues add a bit