Knitted Kids' Sweater

Instructions

Tap a section when you finish it.

1. 1BackWith 4 mm needles cast on 58/62/66 sts. 2x2 rib: RS k2, *p2, k2*; WS p2, *k2, p2*. Work 4 cm of rib. Change to 4.5 mm needles and work stockinette (knit RS, purl WS) until the piece measures 34/38/42 cm in total, ending with a WS row.
2. 2Back neck and shouldersRS: k19/20/22, bind off the center 20/22/22 sts, k19/20/22. Work each shoulder separately: decrease 1 st at the neck edge on the next two RS rows (17/18/20). When the piece measures 36/40/44 cm in total, bind off the shoulder sts. Work the other shoulder mirrored.
3. 3FrontWork as for the back until the piece measures 31/35/39 cm in total. RS: k22/23/25, bind off the center 14/16/16 sts, k22/23/25.
4. 4Front neckWork each shoulder separately. At the neck edge, decrease 1 st on every row 3 times, then on every RS row 2 times (17/18/20). On RS rows use ssk or k2tog at the neck edge so the decreases slant toward the neckline. When the piece is as long as the back (36/40/44 cm), bind off the shoulder sts.
5. 5SleevesWith 4 mm needles cast on 30/34/34 sts and work 4 cm of 2x2 rib. Change to 4.5 mm needles and continue in stockinette. Increase row (RS): k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. Age 2: every 6th row 8 times (46); age 4: every 7th row 8 times (50); age 6: every 6th row 10 times (54). When the sleeve measures 25/29/33 cm in total, bind off all sts loosely. Make the second sleeve the same way.
6. 6Shoulder seams and neckbandDampen the pieces and dry them flat to size. Join the shoulders with mattress stitch. With the 4 mm circular and RS facing, starting at the left shoulder seam, pick up 72/76/76 sts around the neck (about 26/28/28 from the back neck and 46/48/48 from the front neck). Work 2.5 cm of *k2, p2* rib in the round and bind off loosely in rib.
7. 7Setting in sleeves and side seamsMatch the center of the sleeve's bound-off edge to the shoulder seam; the top of the sleeve reaches 13/14/15 cm down from the shoulder at front and back, so mark these points. Pin the sleeve between the markers and sew it in. Then sew the underarm and side seams in one go, from hem to cuff, with mattress stitch.
8. 8FinishingWeave the ends into the seams. Wash the sweater on a wool cycle or by hand in lukewarm water, press out the water with a towel and dry flat to size.