Easy Pullover for Babies, Toddlers and Kids

The Easy Baby Cardigan from Joelle's More Last-Minute Kitted Gifts has become a Purl Soho classic... but it wasn't the original! Before she knit up that worsted weight cardigan, Joelle first conceived of a lightweight, all-season pullover. At 7 stitches to the inch, it wasn't exactly a "last minute knitted gift" and so it evolved; but Joelle never forgot the adorable prototype she had decided to shelve!

The inspiration behind both sweaters was always Joelle's intrigue with an over-the-top construction. Starting at the bottom back, knitting up and over the shoulders and sleeves, then down the front, this sweater is a one-piece engineering wonder! The Easy Baby Pullover may not be as quick as its cardigan cousin, but it's just as easy! And just as beautiful, with the gorgeous hand dyed subtlety of Koigu Premium Merino. Wonderfully soft, machine washable and as gorgeous as yarn comes, KPM is one of our all time favorites!

This timeless design is filled with design details that make it cozy for tots and easy for parents: a roomy neck opening for quick on and off, cuffs designed for rolling, and a loose, casual style for busy little bodies!  A new classic? We think so!

P.S. Curious about the cute hat too? It's our Little Fair Isle Hat and you can find out all about it right here!

The Materials

• 4 (5, 5, 6) skeins of Koigu's Koigu Premium Merino, 100% merino. This color is pictured here is 1010.5.
• A US #4, 24 (24, 32, 32) inch circular needle

The Pattern

Gauge

7 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch

Sizes

to fit most 12 to 24 month (2 year, 4 year, 6 year) olds

Finished Size

Chest Circumference: 20 1/2 (23, 26, 30) inches

Length: 13 (15, 17, 19) inches

Length from Cast on to Underarm: (8 1/2, 10, 11 1/2, 13) inches

Arm Hole: 4 1/2 (5, 5 1/2, 6) inches

Arm Length 8 1/2 (10 1/2, 12 1/2, 14 1/2) inches

Pattern Notes

Seed Stitch: (multiple of 2 stitches + 1) K1, *p1, k1, repeat from *.

Stockinette Stitch: Knit the Right Side (RS) and purl the Wrong Side (WS).

This pullover is worked flat. It is worked in one piece from the bottom edge of the Back, over the shoulders and sleeves, down to the bottom edge of the Front. 

Begin: Back

Cast on 71 (81, 91, 105) stitches, leaving a 30 inch tail for finishing.

Work in Seed Stitch for 1 1/4 inch. 

Next Row: Work in Seed Stitch for 5 stitches, work in Stockinette Stitch to last 5 stitches, work in Seed Stitch to end. 

Repeat the last row until the piece measures 2 1/2 inches from the cast on edge.

Change to Stockinette Stitch. Work even until piece measures 8 1/2 (10, 11 1/2, 13) inches from the cast on edge, ending with a WS row.

Sleeves

With right side facing, use a Cable Cast On to cast on 60 (74, 88, 102) stitches.

Row 1 (RS):  Work across cast on stitches in Seed Stitch for 25 (29, 33, 37) stitches, place a marker (pm), knit to end. (131, 155, 179, 207 stitches) 

With wrong side facing, use a Cable Cast On to cast on 60 (74, 88, 102) stitches. 

Row 2 (WS):  Work across cast on stitches in Seed Stitch for 25 (29, 33, 37) stitches, pm, purl to end next marker, work in Seed Stitch to end (191, 229, 267, 309).

Row 3: Work in Seed Stitch to first marker, work in Stockinette Stitch to next marker, work in Seed Stitch to end.

Repeat Row 3 until piece measures 4 1/2 (5, 5 1/2, 6) inches from beginning of sleeve, ending with a WS row.  

Shape Back Neck

Row 1 (RS): Work in Seed Stitch to first marker, k51 (64, 76, 91), pm, work in Seed Stitch over next 39 (43, 49, 53) stitches, pm, knit to next marker, work in Seed Stitch to end. 

Row 2: Work in Seed Stitch to first marker, work in Stockinette Stitch to the next marker, work in Seed Stitch to following marker, work in Stockinette Stitch to the last marker, work in Seed Stitch to end.

Repeat Row 2 for a total of 3/4 inch.

Next Row (RS): Work in pattern to second marker, work 5 stitches in pattern, bind off 29 (33, 39, 43) stitches in pattern, work in pattern to end. (81, 98, 114, 133 stitches remaining for each side)  

Left Front

Now working only the Left Front and Sleeve stitches (leaving the remaining stitches on needle), work even for 1 ½ inches, ending with a WS row. 

Shape Front Left Neck

Row 1 (RS): Work in pattern to first marker, slip marker (sm), knit into front and back of next stitch (kfb), work in pattern to end. (82, 99, 115, 134 stitches) 

Row 2: Work in pattern to 1 stitch before second marker, kfb, work in pattern to end. (83, 100, 116, 135 stitches)

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 six (7, 8, 9)  more times, working increased stitches in Stockinette Stitch as they become available. (95, 114, 132, 153 stitches). 

Work even until piece measures 9 (10, 11, 12) inches from beginning of Sleeve, ending with a RS row.

Finish Left Sleeves

Next Row (WS): Bind off 60 (74, 88, 102) stitches in pattern (removing marker), work in pattern to end. (35, 40, 44, 51 stitches)

Cut yarn and place stitches on stitch holder or scrap yarn.

Right Front

With WS facing, rejoin yarn to stitches on needle. Work even for 1 1/2 inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape Front Right Neck

Row 1 (RS): Work in pattern to 1 stitch before second marker, kfb, work in pattern to end. (82, 99, 115, 134 stitches)

Row 2: Work in pattern to first marker, sm, kfb, work to end. (83, 100, 116, 135 stitches)

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 six (7, 8, 9) more times, working increased stitches in Stockinette Stitch as they become available. (95, 114, 132, 153 stitches)

Work even until piece measures 9 (10, 11, 12) inches from beginning of Sleeve, ending with a WS row. 

Finish Right Sleeve

Row 1 (RS): Bind off 60 (74, 88, 102) stitches in pattern (removing marker), work in pattern to end, Cable Cast On 1 (1, 3, 3)  stitches, work these stitches in Seed Stitch, then work the 35 (40, 44, 51) stitches of Left Side in established pattern. (71, 81, 91, 105 stitches)

Front

Row 1 (WS): Work in Stockinette Stitch to first marker, work in Seed Stitch to next marker, work in Stockinette Stitch to end.

Repeat Row 1 for 1 inch, ending with a WS row.

Next Row (RS): Work entire row in Stockinette Stitch (removing markers).

Work even for 5 (6 1/2, 8, 9 1/2)  inches, ending with a WS row.

Next Row (RS): Work in Seed Stitch for 5 stitches, work in Stockinette Stitch to last 5 stitches, work in Seed Stitch to end.

Repeat the last row for 1 1/4 inches. 

Next Row: Work entire row in Seed Stitch. 

Repeat last row for 1 1/4 inches, ending with a WS row.

Bind off in Seed Stitch pattern, leaving a 30 inch long tail for finishing.

Finishing

Block if desired. Using mattress stitch and long tails from Cast On and Bind Off, sew side seams, starting above the Seed Stitch edging. Also sew the Sleeve seams. Weave in your ends and you're all finished!

Comments

[Karen]

I would love to be able to make this for my girls who are 7 and 10! Any way to adjust the pattern to bigger sizes? Thanks - Karen

[purl bee]

Hi Karen-

We have no plans to make a larger size of this pattern at this moment but we will keep it under advisement as we move forward.

Thank you for your comment!

Molly

[Amy]

I too would love a larger size pattern. My son would be bigger than that by the time I could finish. (I'm a new knitter). Also is there a pattern for the hat b/c its adorable. And one final thing... I love your site!!! so many patterns I love and want to try.
thanks,
Amy

[PaperDollyGirl]

Love it!! I bought 4 skeins of Koigu at the grand opening party for the new store and just frogged the shawl I was halfway through with it. This sweater will be perfect for it and really takes the disappointment out of my shawl not working out.

[Susan]

I'm also interested in this pattern sized for children. My girls are 3 and 5, and this lightweight pullover would be perfect for our weather here in Paris.

Merci Beaucoup,
Susan

[hgk]

I too would love this pattern to be released in a bigger size (age 7 and/or up).
It looks lovely! I can't wait to try knitting this :)

[Lynn]

Just chiming in that I would love to see the pattern in larger sizes too!

[mondayjane]

Beautiful sweater - I love that the pattern could go either way gender-wise and plan on knitting one up for the little one we are expecting this spring. Thank you so much!

[Kiry]

I, too, would love this in larger sizes, or tips on how to figure it out myself.

[Danielle]

I'd love the pattern in a bigger size, but not because I have older children... I want it for me! It's so boho lovely!

[Tara Jane]

Please work on bigger sizes. It is a great sweater and would really suit the older kids too!

[Soledad]

This is lovely! I am adapting it for a 3 year old (trying to!). Doing the numbers can be a bit dizzying, but can you confirm that the front ends up having 4 stitches fewer than the back? (71-67=4)

[Hope]

I'm working on this one for my very small 27 month old boy. I'm customizing to fit his proportions and it has become clear to me how easy it is to make a bigger size as long as you are thoughtful along the way understanding your gauge the the dimensions of the person who will be wearing it.

Because he is so slim, I cast on 67 stitches but knitting up to the start of the sleeve I went up to 7.5" because he's a bit longer than the sweater pattern is made for. I want the sweater to last a while so will make the sleeves long enough to fold up at first and then unfold as his arms get longer.

Anyhow, the point is that you can adjust most patterns to meet your needs.

[purl bee]

Soledad! Oh my goodness, you are completely right! The front and back differ by 4. I'll let you in on a secret... we are planning to repost this pattern with additional sizes on the February 19th. The date is tentative, but if all goes well, keep your eye out! We will be sure to re-work the pattern before then! Thank you so much for writing in, Laura.

[Soledad]

Thanks for the news, and for the clarification.... and for the new pattern. I have to check it out, and will probably undo the front of the sweater :)
If you want to check out what it looks like now, it's here: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/solitaet/easy-baby-pullover/photos

[Suzanne]

I'm definitely going to queue this. thank you for a lovely pattern

[Lisa]

Yes, I definitely would love to make one for me! What a great year round pullover. Thank you so much for sharing this pattern...going to make it for my grandson who is 5.

[K]

Any chance you can make the pattern into an adult size? I absolutely love this sweater but too small for me!

[wendy]

I too am casting my vote for adult sizes and for older children-size 12 and up. I have three girls 10, 15 and 19 and they would all look fantastic in this-easy to wear for the 10 year old and totally retro cool for the other two! Boy, would this be a solution to a bunch of birthday/holiday presents...and I want one too!
I love your patterns and have made many-thank you so much for your creative fun designs!

[purl bee]

Hi K and Wendy-

We are planning making adult sizes in this pattern. However it does take some time so we don't have an ETA just yet.

Thank you both for the nice comments!

Molly

[Wendy H.]

HI. I am a new knitter and this would be my first attempt at a "non-scarf"! Do I stitch the seams before or after I block the sweater? it would be my first time blocking too!
Thanks and I adore your site!
Wendy

[purl bee]

Hi Wendy,
Congrats on making your first non-scarf! Typically you block and then seam. Hope you enjoy this project!! -Laura

[rayya]

Hi thanks for posting this lovely pattern - it was my first go at knitting from the back over to the front and I will definitely try it again. I will also do this pattern again! I made my life pretty difficult because I added stripes and then decided that they wouldn't look good if they went all the way to the edges of the sleeves or neckline. I am extremely happy with the way it turned out though. You can see it on my Ravelry page: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/iridescent/easy-pullover-for-babies-toddlers-and-kids

[Cristina]

I am a new knitter and saw that u mentioned that u were going to re-work a new pattern because of the 4 stitch difference. Is this the new one? And also in the pattern it says to seed stitch for 1 1/4 inches and it looks like more than that on the picture.

[purl bee]

Hi Christina-

Yes, this is the corrected pattern and all the measurements seed stitch instructions are correct.

Thank you for your question!

Molly

[Amy]

My collar looks different than it does in your picture. I looked online on Ravelry and found other people who have completed this sweater. Their collars look similar to mine too. The part in the front where the seed stitchs go into a V shape. Yours has more length from the neck to the bottom of the V. Hard to describe, but if you compare the pictures on Ravelry and yours it is pretty different. Kind of frustrating.

[purl bee]

Amy, Thanks for writing in! I am so sorry this has been frustrating. I looked on Ravelry. You are right, there is a difference in the collars. The pattern for this sweater was written just recently, but it was knit a while back. The sweater was a prototype for another pattern and we just brought it back out of the archives. I am sorry for the discrepancy. The neck can be easily lengthened. You can increase every other row rather than every row. Just be sure to account for the extra distance you are creating here and compensate for it in the body of the sweater. Hope this helps. -Laura

[Amy]

Thanks Laura, I thought I might have been crazy!
As far as increasing every other row, which part in the pattern are you talking about? Under "Shape Front Right/Left Neck"?

[purl bee]

Hi Amy, sorry for my lack of clarity! I was referring to Shape Front Right/Left Neck! -Laura