Whit's Knits: The Wonderful Wallaby!

One of my all time favorite patterns is The Wonderful Wallaby by Cottage Creations. While it's true that the Wallaby is cozy and classic and the construction is beautifully engineered, the thing that makes this pattern my favorite is the charm and accessibility of the writing and illustrations.

You will be cheered through your Wallaby by encouraging tidbits like, "TREAT YOURSELF Take time to try on your Wonderful Wallaby, it feels so GOOD! Your Wallaby won't mind if tried on with needles remaining in the yarn!" You will love the homey drawings of knitting kangaroos, like grandma kangaroo knitting her Wallaby from yarn stored in her pouch (I wish I had that!). The pattern is also clearly written, very explanatory and 100% mistake free.

The Wonderful Wallaby is sized for toddlers age two all the way up to adult super size. My son, Bear, is only 13 months old, but he's really tall, and I just couldn't wait another year to knit him his own Wallaby.  I love knowing that he'll get lots of wear out of it.

 The Materials

• The Wonderful Wallaby Pattern which you can find at this link.
• For this size I needed 3 skeins of Spud & Chloe's Sweater yarn, 55% Superwash Wool, 45% Organic Cotton. This color is "Ice Cream", knit at 4 1/2 stitches to the inch. (For yarn quatities for larger sizes please check the pattern.)
• 1 skein of Koigu's Kersti Merino Crepe, 100 % Merino Wool. This color is #822.
• A US #8, 24 inch circular needle.
• A set of US #8 double pointed needles.
• An extra pair of US #8 needles, either straight or any length circular. (These extra needles are for knitting the pocket.)
• 4 stitch holders (or scrap yarn).
• 4 stitch markers (or scrap yarn).

It's great that Spud & Chloe's Sweater yarn is machine washable and really soft, but mostly I love that the blend of wool and organic cotton truly makes this sweater year round. To add a little fun, I knit a stripe of multi-colored Kersti every fifth round. (By the way, the Kersti is also machine washable.) Adding this stripe does complicate the pattern in some places (like the pocket), so I wouldn't recommend it if you are a beginner knitter, but otherwise I thought the challenge was totally worth it.

Another materials note: The pattern uses US #6 needles for the ribbed edges which really draws in the bottom hem and cuffs. I wanted Bear's Wallaby to be a little looser fitting and so just used my #8's for everything. Be sure to have a smaller 24 inch circular needle and double pointed's on hand if you want to be a faithful follower of the directions.

The Wonderful Wallaby is such a perfect sweater that I'm going to make sure Bear is never without one. I hope I like his college colors!  --Whitney

Comments

[Cynthia C.]

I notice the stripes do not extend into the garter stitch placket. It looks wonderful! How did you do that?

I have knit several of these sweaters, and I have always knit the stockinette hood. The garter stitch hood on yours looks wonderful!

[purl bee]

Hi Cynthia,

I remember that stopping the stripes short of the garter stitch placket (and pocket edges) was a little bit complicated. I worked with two balls of the main color and knit just as you would an intarsia pattern. I recall some moments of having to do a little improvisational knitting, but it sounds like you might have enough experience to go for it!

Thanks so much for your comments and question!
Whitney

[Nicole D]

Hi I was wondering about the stripes do you hold the yarn for the stripes double since it is such a smaller yarn then the Spud and Chole or is it ok just to knit it as normal on the size eight needles?
Thanks so much

[purl bee]

Hi Nicole D,

No, you don't need to double the Kersti. True, it is a bit thinner than the Spud & Chloe, but since you're only knitting one round, you really don't notice!

Thanks for your question!
Whitney

[Suzanne]

This post inspired me to attempt the Wallaby, my first non-scarf project, and I've just finished it after many dedicated nights and YouTube videos. :) I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out, and of course, my two-year-old couldn't look more adorable in it. Thank you!

[Kari]

Hello! I came across this pattern in May and have been working on it off and on for my cousin's son. I'm loving it so far!

However, I have one question on the arm placement. I'm making the smallest size, 2T, using Blue Sky Worsted Cotton (in Nut) and the stripes in Manos Maxima (in Beehive). My gauge is a little off, 8 st/in as opposed to 9, but I'm working with it. The pattern calls for the arms to be placed 8" from the start of the work, which is, in my case, right after the pouch was fused. I'm worried that this will make the body short, so am going to knit at least one more inch and see where it lands, but wanted to see what you suggest. Thank you!

[purl bee]

Hi Kari,

Sounds beautiful! There's really little harm that can come from adding an inch or two to the body length, and I'd rather a bit long than a bit short. I say, unless you can easily measure your cousin's son, go with your gut on this one!

Thanks so much for asking!
Whitney