This cardigan is knit from the bottom up in the round and then steeked open. Only feltable wools with plenty of grip should be used for steeking purposes. Neither superwash wools nor plant or synthetic fibers will hold.

Note of caution: Any knitter who chooses to abuse this pattern by making matching whale sweaters for the family Christmas card should be flogged, or at the very least have his/her knitting needles confiscated.

Difficulty
Advanced

Skills used
Knitting in the round, reading a chart, increasing, decreasing, knitting with two colors, steeking, picking up stitches, hand sewing facings, duplicate stitching (optional).

Sizes
0-3 mos (6-9 mos, 12-18 mos, 2 yr, 3-4 yr, 5-6 yr)
Model shown in size 3/4 yr.

Finished measurements
Chest: 18.75(20.75, 23.5, 26.25, 29.25, 30)”
Back length: 10.25 (11.5, 12.75, 14.5, 16.75, 17.25)”

Gauge
17 stitches and 24 rounds = 4” in stockinette on US 7 (4.5 mm) needles
20 stitches and 25 rounds = 4” in stranded pattern on US 7 (4.5 mm) needles

NOTE: Swatching the stranded pattern in the round is imperative. I chose to cast on 36 stitches for three whale pattern repeats plus 11 stockinette stitches for a steek. In addition to checking gauge, this extra swatching will provide a valuable opportunity to practice steeking.

Yarn
Harrisville Designs New England Highland 100% wool; 200 yd (183 m); 100 g skein; color: #33 Midnight blue (MC), 1 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3) skeins; #44 White (CC#1), #7 Tundra (CC#2), 1 skein each.

NOTE: If substituting yarn, use only non-superwash, feltable wool; otherwise, the steek will not hold and the garment will unravel.

Needles
US 7 (4.5 mm) circular, length appropriate for size
1 set of US 7 (4.5 mm) DPNs

US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, length appropriate for size
1 set of US 6 (4 mm) DPNs

Crochet hook, any size between 3.25-4.0 mm will do

Notions
Stitch markers
Scrap yarn – the scrap yarn used for the crochet chains must be feltable wool (and not superwash)
Tapestry needle
5 (5, 7, 7, 9, 9) 3/4″ buttons