Little Opa by Lisa Chemery

Little Opa

Knitting
October 2022
Worsted (9 wpi) ?
19 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette
US 7 - 4.5 mm
US 6 - 4.0 mm
300 - 1000 yards (274 - 914 m)
3mo (6mo, 12mo, 18mo // 2yo, 4yo, 6yo, 8yo, 10yo)
English
This pattern is available for €7.00 EUR buy it now

ERRATA: there is a typo for size 8yo on page 5, Right column.
The diagonal edge pick-up number should be 29, not 28.
14/04/23: updated pattern (v2) available in library

This irresistible, unisex “grandpa cardigan” is sure to be a hit with every kid in your life.
It features a cozy and beautifully shaped garter shawl collar, faux elbow patches and very distinctive, roomy pockets that have a fun NO-SEAM construction. No more fiddling around trying to figure out how to neatly sew pockets down!
Detailed instructions are also provided for buttonholes on the right OR on the left, featuring a neat buttonhole technique.

CONSTRUCTION:

This cardigan is worked seamlessly from the top down and features optional no-seam, anchored-as-you-go pockets. The sleeves are separated from the body at underarm level, then worked in the round, featuring faux elbow patches. Stitches are picked up along the fronts and the neckline to work the shawl collar and button bands. The shawl collar is worked using German short rows (detailed explanations and link to video tutorial provided).

SKILLS REQUIRED:

Casting on, knitting, purling, increasing, decreasing, knitting in the round, picking up stitches, working German short rows (detailed explanations and link to video tutorial provided), binding off.

SIZES:

3mo (6mo, 12mo, 18mo // 2yo, 4yo, 6yo, 8yo, 10yo)
To fit chest: 16 (17, 18, 19 // 21, 23, 25, 26.5, 28) inches or 40.5 (43, 45.5, 48.5 // 53.5, 58.5, 63.5, 67.5, 71) cm
Garment chest at underarms: 18.75 (20.5, 21.25, 23.75 // 25.25, 27, 28.75, 30.5, 32.5) inches or 47 (51.5, 53.5, 60 // 63.5, 67.5, 68, 72, 76, 81.5) cm
I recommend choosing a size based on the recipient’s actual chest measurement instead of the age label. You can also choose a size according to how much ease you’d like the garment to have.

YARN REQUIREMENTS:

Approximately 300 (350, 425, 500 // 600, 675, 800, 900, 1000) yards or 274 (320, 388, 457 // 549, 617, 731, 823, 914) meters of worsted (10-ply) weight yarn
The 12mo sample, featuring the optional pockets, is knit in Knitting for Olive’s Heavy Merino (colorway Rust). The white no-pocket 3mo sample is knit in De Rerum Natura’s Gilliatt (colorway Sel).

NEEDLES:

  • US 7 or 4.5 mm diameter circular needle (or size needed to match stockinette stitch gauge) at least 24 inches or 60 cm in length
  • 1 set of matching dpns for sleeves or matching long circular needle if using the magic loop technique
  • US 6 or 4 mm diameter circular needle (or one size smaller in diameter than above) at least 24 inches or 60 cm in length for sizes 3mo 18mo, 32 inches or 80 cm in length for sizes 2yo and up, for hem and button band/collar
  • 1 set of matching dpns or matching long circular needle if using the magic loop technique for cuffs

NOTIONS:

  • 6 stitch markers including 2 lockable stitch markers

  • tapestry needle

  • 2 stitch holders or scrap yarn, and for pockets option only: 2 more stitch holders or extra circular needles

  • 3 (3, 4, 4 // 4, 5, 5, 5, 6) buttons 3/4 inch or 1.8 cm in diameter, or toggles, approximately 1.25 inch or 3 cm in length