Need an adorable colorwork sweater for a child in your life? Look no further! This modified drop shoulder features a cozy fit, a bold colorwork motif, and a generous neckline for ease of wearing (no tugging and pulling to get the sweater on and off!). The motifs are sure to please, and fun to knit. If hearts aren’t popular with your child, the pattern also includes alternate charts that replace them with more diamonds. All colorwork is worked in the round.

This pattern features bundle pricing! Save $4 when you get both the adult and children’s versions. No coupon code is needed. If you’ve purchased one, the second will automatically be discounted.

Construction:
Start by casting on stitches for the back, work back shoulder shaping with short rows, and then work gentle armhole shaping. Pick up stitches for the fronts, again work some shoulder shaping with short rows, work increases to shape the neckline, and cast on stitches at the center front to join the fronts. The front armholes are shaped just like the back armholes. Stitches are cast on for the underarms, and the body is knit in the round. The second color is joined and colorwork begins. The background color transitions to the second color as the colorwork progresses. The body is then knit a bit longer in stockinette, and is finished with a ribbed hem.

As for the sleeves, stitches are picked up around the armholes, a small sleeve cap is worked, and then the colorwork starts for the sleeve. Once it is finished decreases are worked to taper the sleeve, and it’s finished with a ribbed cuff.

Stitches are picked up along the neckline, and the collar trim is worked.

This pattern has been professionally tech edited by Sarah Walworth (Tricot Edit), and has been test knitted.

Included:
-Main pattern PDF
-Chart PDF, including inverted charts, and charts with additional diamonds instead of hearts, recommended color dominance is indicated on the charts
-Illustrated construction overview
-Links to video tutorials and explanations of special techniques, including tips on colorwork and color dominance
-Hyperlinks within the pattern for easy navigation
-Full schematic and size chart

Sizing:
The pullover is meant to be worn with 4.25” / 10.5 cm of positive ease at the chest. The pullover’s shoulders are meant to drop 2.5” / 6 cm past the shoulder.

Body and sleeve length is easily adjustable.

Please see the size chart in the photos for detailed measurements. A-H are finished garment measurements.

Choose the size that will fit the child’s shoulders best, or that will give them the recommended amount of ease. If between sizes, size up.

Finished garment circumference:
23.75”, 25”, 26” (28.5”, 30.75”, 32”) {33.75”, 35”} / 59.5 cm, 62 cm, 65 cm (71 cm, 77 cm, 80 cm) {84.5 cm, 87.5 cm}

Sample is size 6, worn by a 6 year old with 4” / 10 cm of positive ease at the chest.

Gauge:
27 stitches and 34 rows in 4” / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on (Smaller) needles, after blocking.

27 stitches and 29 rows in 4” / 10 cm in colorwork on (Larger) needles, after blocking.

Needles & Notions:
(Larger) US 5 / 3.75 mm circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge in colorwork, after blocking.

(Smaller) US 3 / 3.25 mm circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge in stockinette, after blocking.

(Ribbing) US 2 / 2.75 mm circular needles, or 1 size smaller than (Smaller) needles, for ribbing.

4 stitch markers, 2 removable markers, darning needle, scissors, tape measure, waste yarn or stitch holders.

Yarn:
Katia United Socks (105 yards / 100 meters per 25 g), 75% Wool, 25% Polyamide, in the colors ‘1’ (Fawn Brown), and ‘5’ (Cream).

C1 (Fawn Brown): 4, 4, 4, (5, 5, 6) {6, 6} skeins OR 323, 343, 367, (487, 525, 560) {583, 608} yards / 308, 326, 350, (463, 500, 533) {555, 579} meters of comparable fingering weight yarn.

C2 (Cream): 4, 4, 5, (6, 7, 7) {8, 9} skeins OR 319, 395, 496, (549, 646, 723) {800, 873} yards / 304, 376, 473, (523, 615, 688) {762, 832} meters of comparable fingering weight yarn.