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by Kristi Porter




Here are two versions of a fun little sweater just right for spring.

Both styles feature wide ribbing and a lapped boat neck that buttons at the shoulders. They've got a bit of style, but are definitely ready for everyday wear, particularly when knit with an easy-care yarn.

Feel free to mix and match elements from both sweaters to design one perfect for your little one -- stripes, sleeve length and body length can be used interchangeably across patterns.

This is also a great pattern for sibling sweaters: good for girls or boys with lots of room for variation.

Note that the gauge in a cotton yarn such as Cotton-Ease expands after wearing, so the fit will be a little looser.

model: Zoe Bleicher [top] Ella Bleicher [bottom] photos: Kristi Porter/Leo Bleicher

SIZE
2[4,6,8]
 
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Long-sleeved
Chest: 23[26, 29, 32] inches
Length: 12[14, 15, 17] inches

Short-sleeved
Chest: 23[26, 29, 32] inches
Length: 10[12, 13, 15] inches

 

MATERIALS

Long-sleeved
Lion Brand Cotton-Ease [50 % cotton, 50% acrylic; 207 yds per 3.5oz skein] ;
MC: #158 Pineapple; 2 [2,3,3] skeins
CC: #169 Pistachio; 1[1,1,1] skein
Short-sleeved
Plymouth Encore [75% acrylic 25% wool; 200 yds per 3.5oz skein] ; color: #7357; 2[2, 2, 3] skeins

1 set US #7/4.5mm circular needles
tapestry needle
2 3/4 inch buttons

 
GAUGE
16 sts/32 rows = 4" in garter stitch
 
DIRECTIONS
Stripe Pattern
To work stripes as shown, after ribbing, work 2 inches in MC, then 2 rows in CC, 2 rows in MC, 2 rows in CC, 4 rows in MC, 4 rows in CC. Or make up a stripe pattern of your own.

Long-sleeved version

Back
CO 46[52, 58, 64]sts.
Work in k2p2 rib for 2 inches.
Switch to garter st.
Work stripe patt in this section if desired [see stripe pattern directions above].
Work until piece measures 6[7, 8, 9] inches.

Shape Armholes
Dec 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows. 42[48, 54, 60] sts remain.
On all WS rows: k1, p1; k to last 2 sts; p1, k1. This provides the subtle detailing at the raglan edges -- and makes the finishing easier!
Work all decreases inside this border as follows: On RS, k2, ssk, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.
Dec 1 st at each end every 6th row 5 [5, 6, 7] times. 32[38, 42 ,46] sts remain.
Work even until piece measures 11[13,14,16] inches from cast-on edge.

Neckband
Switch to k2p2 rib for 2 inches.
BO all sts in patt. Take care not bind off too tightly; the edge should not be tighter than the sweater!

Front
Work as for back until piece measures 10[12,12.5,14.5] inches from cast-on edge.

Neck
The front neckline is shaped with short rows.
On next row: k11[14,16,18], turn, sl1, k8 [11,13,15], p1,k1.
Next row: k9[12,14,16], turn, sl1, k6 [9,11,13], p1, k1.
Next row: k7[10,12,14], turn, sl1, k4[7,9,11], p1,k1.
Sizes 6 and 8 only:
Next row: k0[0, 10, 12], turn, sl1, k0 [0,7,9], p1,k1.
Next row: k0[0,8,10], turn, sl1, k0 [0,5,7], p1,k1.
All sizes:
Cut yarn. Move sts to opposite side of needle to begin working opposite shoulder. N.B. For these few short rows, you will be working all in purl st in order to maintain the garter st patt.
First row: p11[14,16,18], turn, sl1, p8[11,13,15], k1,p1.
Next row: p9[12,14,16], turn, sl1, p6[9,11,13], k1,p1.
Next row: p7[10,12,14], turn, sl1, p4[7,9,11], k1,p1.
Sizes 6 and 8 only:
Next row: p0[0, 10, 12], turn, sl1, p0[0, 7, 9], k1,p1.
Next row: p0[0, 8,10], turn, sl1, p0[0, 5, 7], k1,p1.

Neckband
All sizes: Work 2 complete rows -- 32[38, 42 ,46] sts -- in garter st.
Switch to k2p2 rib.
Work for 1 inch.
6 sts from each edge, work a 2 st buttonhole. [BO 2 sts in first row, CO 2 sts over these sts in foll row -- or use your preferred method.]
Continue in rib patt until ribbing measures 2 inches. BO all sts loosely.

Sleeves
CO 30[32, 36, 40] sts.
Work in k2p2 rib for 2 inches.
Switch to garter st. Work stripe patt in this section if desired [see directions above].
Inc 1 st at each end every 8 rows 5[6, 6, 7] more times. 40[44, 48, 54] sts.
Work even until sleeve measures 8[9, 10, 12] inches.
Dec 2 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 36 [40, 44, 50] sts remain.
As on body, on all WS rows: k1, p1, k to last 2 sts, p1, k1.
Work all decreases inside this border as follows: on RS, k2, ssk, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.
Dec 1 st at each side every 4th row 4[1, 2, 2] times, then every other row 8[12,14,17] times. 12 sts remain.
BO all sts.

Short-sleeved version

Back
CO 46 [52, 58, 64] sts.
Work in k2p2 rib for 2 inches.
Switch to garter st.
Work stripe patt if desired.
Work until piece measures 4[5, 6, 7] inches.

Shape Armholes
Dec 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows. 42[48, 54, 60] sts remain.
On all WS rows: k1, p1, k to last 2 sts, p1, k1. This provides the subtle detailing at the raglan edges and makes the finishing easier!
Work all decreases inside this border as follows: on RS, k2, ssk, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.
Dec 1 st at each end every 6th row 5[5 ,6, 7] times. 32[38, 42 ,46] sts remain.
Work even until piece measures 9[11, 12, 14] inches from cast on edge.

Neckband
Switch to k2p2 rib for 2 inches.
BO all sts in patt. Take care not bind off too tightly; the edge should not be tighter than the sweater!

Front
Work as for back until piece measures 8[10,10.5.5,12.5] inches from cast-on edge.

Neck
The front neckline is shaped with short rows.
On next row: K11 [14,16,18], turn, sl1, k8 [11,13,15], p1,k1.
Next row: K9 [12,14,16], turn, sl1, k6 [9,11,13], p1, k1.
Next row: K7 [10,12,14], turn, sl1, k4[7,9,11], p1,k1.
Sizes 6 and 8 only:
Next row: K0 [0, 10, 12], turn, sl1, k0 [0,7,9], p1,k1.
Next row: K0 [0,8,10], turn, sl1, k0 [0,5,7], p1,k1.
All sizes:
Cut yarn. Move sts to opposite side of needle to begin working opposite shoulder. N.B. For these few short rows, you will be working all in purl st in order to maintain the garter st patt.
First row: P11 [14,16,18], turn, sl1, p8 [11,13,15], k1,p1.
Next row: P9 [12,14,16], turn, sl1, p6 [9,11,13], k1,p1.
Next row: P7 [10,12,14], turn, sl1, p4 [7,9,11], k1,p1.
Sizes 6 and 8 only:
Next row: P0 [0, 10, 12], turn, sl1, p0[0, 7, 9], k1,p1.
Next row: P0 [0,8,10], turn, sl1, p0[0, 5, 7], k1,p1.

Neckband
All sizes: Work 2 complete rows -- 32 [38, 42 ,46] sts -- in garter st.
Switch to k2p2 rib.
Work for 1 inch.
6 sts from each edge, work a 2 st buttonhole. [BO 2 sts in first row, CO 2 sts over these sts in foll row -- or use your preferred method.]
Continue in rib patt until ribbing measures 2 inches. BO all sts loosely.

Sleeves
CO 40 [44, 48, 54] sts. work in k2p2 rib for 2 inches.
Knit 4 rows in garter st.
Dec 2 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 36[40, 44, 50] sts remain.
As on body, on all WS rows: k1, p1, k to last 2 sts, p1, k1.
Work all decreases inside this border as follows: on RS, k2, ssk, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.
Dec 1 st at each side every 4th row 4[1, 2, 2] times, then every other row 8[12,14,17] times. 12 sts remain.
BO all sts.

FINISHING

Weave in ends.
Sew neckbands together at sides with ribbed sections overlapping and front side [and buttonholes] on top.
Sew buttons onto back neckband under buttonholes.
Sew tops of sleeve caps to neckband, then seam the raglans together.
Finally, sew up side and underarm seams.

 
ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Kristi is Knitty's technical editor. She makes her home in San Diego with her husband, Leo and their daughters, Zoe [5] and Eleanor [2].

When she's not knitting, she's doing something else.

Pattern & images © 2003 Kristi Porter. Contact Kristi.