A colourful and kid-friendly take on the classic cardigan. With sporty Garter Stitch bands and matching pocket linings, this design is #bestsweaterever. Choose from school, team, house, or favourite colours and this cozy v-neck cardigan will be a fan favourite. Knit flat and seamed “on the needles,” this sweater gets an A+ for clever construction.

The cardigan front and back are worked in pieces from the bottom up. Shoulders are shaped with short rows and joined with a Three-Needle Bind Off. Sleeves are picked up and worked top down with a few short rows creating a modified cap. All pieces are joined without sewing. The contrasting bands of Garter Stitch that join the pieces are worked by picking up stitches along one selvedge and then a modified combination of pick up and knit and Three-Needle Bind Off is worked on the adjoining edge.

Knit them for all the kids, big and small; smaller sizes are available in the Rain City Baby crossover style pattern.

This knitting pattern includes written directions, front and back photos, a schematic with measurements, and thoughtful details.

Sizes + Finished Measurements
1 (2, 3, 4, 5)
Finished chest measurement: 28 ¼ (29 ¾, 31 ¼, 33 ¼, 34 ¾)” / 70.5 (74.5, 78, 83, 87) cm
Intended to be worn with about 5” (12.5 cm) positive ease; shown in Size 1.
To help gift knitters choose a size, the sizes typically are a generous fit for the following ages: 4 (6, 8, 10, 12) years. The fit is based on garment sizes for a popular children’s clothing brand.

Yarn
DK-weight yarn;
Main Colour 530 (615, 685, 800, 880) yd / 485 (560, 630, 730, 805) m;
Contrasting Colour 200 (225, 245, 270, 285) yd / 185 (205, 225, 245, 260) m.

Blue sample shown in Knit Picks Swish DK (DK-weight, 100% Superwash Merino Wool; 123 yards/50g): MC Marine Heather, 5 (5, 6, 7, 8) skeins; CC Conch, 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) skeins.

Substitution Notes
Choose a DK-weight yarn—that is, a yarn that makes a nice fabric when knitted at a gauge of 22 stitches in 4” (10 cm). The original orange discontinued yarn is a 4-ply, DK weight, 100% superwash Bluefaced Leicester yarn. The yarn in the new blue sample is a 4-ply superwash wool. Smooth wools (including superwash), wool blends, acrylics, and cottons will substitute well. If this is a gift, consider a yarn that is easily laundered.

Techniques
Increases/decreases, short rows, set-in sleeve sweater construction, worked flat, bottom up, sleeves top down, picking up stitches, no sewing seams, buttonholes and sewing on buttons.

Helpful Links
Raised Increases video tutorial
Raised Increases photo tutorial
SSK & SSP Decreases video tutorial

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