Here’s a little dose of Canadian pride! ‘The Little Canadian’ is a bottom-up cardigan that boasts a truly Canadian pattern. A Maple Leaf sandwiched between 2 sections of Red and Black Buffalo Plaid.

For those who are proud, Little Canadians. (Or, Maple Leaf enthusiasts, alike.)

Sizes Available: Sizes 1(2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Finished Chest Circumference: 20”(22”, 24”, 26”, 28”, 30”)

I recommend choosing to knit a size that has a finished chest circumference at least 2” larger than the child’s actual chest circumference. When in doubt, size up.

Yarn Used:

• This pattern calls for 4 colours of a Chunky Weight yarn
• For my samples, I used Estelle Yarns Outback Chunky in Charcoal Heather, Black, Wine and Natural.
• If you are wanting to use a machine washable yarn, I highly recommend Estelle Chunky in the colours Nickel Heather, Black, Merlot and Snow.

Yardage Requirements:

• Listed below is the number of balls/skeins you will need of each of the 4 colours for either Outback Chunky, or Estelle Chunky (125m/137y per ball/skein) depending on your selected size.

Colour 1 (Grey): 2(2, 3, 3, 4, 5) balls/skeins
Colour 2 (Black): 1,(1, 1, 1, 1, 1) ball/skein
Colour 3 (Red): 1(1, 1, 2, 2, 2) ball(s)/skeins(s)
Colour 4: (White): 1,(1, 1, 1, 1, 1) ball/skein

Needles:

• This pattern calls for 6.00mm and 6.50mm needles.
• You will need 2 different length cord, one that is sized appropriately for the body of the sweater and one (32”, or 40”) for the shawl collar.

Gauge: 16 sts and 18 rows per 4” square

Additional Materials Needed:

• At least 2 stitch markers, one for the beginning of the round and one for the start of the steek column.

• Optional: An extra 10(10, 10, 10, 12, 12) stitch markers if you prefer to section out repeats.

• a 6.00mm crochet hook for when you are reinforcing the steek column.

• If you are using machine washable/blended yarn, you will need a needing and thread, or a sewing machine to reinforce the steek column

• Scissors

• Darning Needle

This pattern uses techniques that you may not be comfortable/familiar with, but ones you can TOTALLY do. To give you some assistance, below are some video tutorials that could be helpful.

Video Tutorials

Steek Videos:
Steek Video
Very Pink Knits Steek Video

Buttonhole
Buttonhole Video

German Short Rows
German Short Rows

Stretchy Bind off
Very Pink Knits Stretchy Bind-off