The Little Dude is a mini version of the iconic Big Lebowski sweater, designed to be fun to knit with sweet knitterly details. It’s worked entirely in the round so that the stranded color work never has to be worked on the wrong side, and finishing doesn’t require any seaming. The sizing goes all the way from newborn to age 12, so all your little Dudes and Dudettes are covered!

To top it off, go get the grown-up version, The Knitter’s Dude so you can have a whole family of Dudes! Get the ebook, The Royal We: Dude Patterns for Everyone, or check out The Knitter’s Dude.

These patterns were updated with an improved layout in October, 2023 so your knitting experience will be even better.

There is now a Japanese translation of this pattern included! Just download the file that starts, “Japanese” after your purchase.
日本語版もダウンロード可能になりました。パターン購入後、日本語と書かれたファイルをダウンロードしてください。

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You can read more about this pattern on my blog.

Sizes and Finished Measurements
Sized for 0-6 mo (6-12 mo, 1-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-10, 10-12); shown in size 1-2
Chest Circumference: 20 (22, 23, 24, 25.5, 27, 28.5, 30) in/51 (56, 58.5, 61, 65, 68.5, 72.5, 76) cm

Yarn
Worsted weight yarn in 3 colors - (yarn quantities are approximate)
Main Color: 250 (275, 310, 360, 475, 585, 680, 745) yd/230 (250, 285, 330, 435, 535, 620, 680) m
Contrast Color 1: 35 (35, 40, 42, 57, 64, 89, 104) yd/32 (32, 37, 38, 52, 58, 81, 95) m
Contrast Color 2: 61 (67, 70, 73, 111, 128, 198, 248) yd/56 (61, 64, 67, 101, 117, 181, 226) m

Shown in Brooklyn Tweed Shelter (100% Wool; 140 yd/128 m per 50g skein)
Main Color: Fossil; 2 (3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5) skeins
Contrast Color 1: Nest; 1 skein
Contrast Color 2: Cast Iron; 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2) skeins

To facilitate successful steeking, I recommend using a non-machine-washable yarn. Sticky wool is best!

Blocked Gauge
Gauge measurement should be taken after blocking.
20 sts/31 rounds = 4 in/10 cm in Stockinette Stitch Pattern with Size B Needles

20 sts/27 rounds = 4 in/10 cm in Color Work Stockinette Stitch Pattern with Size C Needles

Needles & Notions
Needle Sizes are recommendations only. Always use needle size necessary to obtain gauge.

Size A (Ribbing): Size US #5/3.75 mm 16 in/40 cm circular needle, two 40 in/100 cm circular needles (for tubular BO), and set dpns or needle(s) for preferred small-circumference circular knitting method

Size B (Plain Stockinette Stitch): Size US #6/4 mm 16 in/40 cm circular needle and set dpns or needle(s) for preferred small-circumference circular knitting method

Size C (Color Work Stockinette Stitch): Size US #7/4.5 mm 16 in/40 cm circular needle and set dpns or needle(s) for preferred small-circumference circular knitting method

stitch markers
removable stitch markers
tapestry needle
waste yarn
coordinating color light fingering weight yarn for reinforcing steek
Size C/2.75 mm crochet hook
3 (3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 5, 5) 1 in/2.5 cm buttons

Skills
tubular CO and BO (instructions given in pattern), stranded color work, reinforcing and cutting steek, picking up stitches, short row shaping