Pattern is top-down, seamless and in the round. There’s an option to do the top/first color in pearl stitch. I opted to knit the entire pullover in stockinette stitch. The back necklne is raised using German short rows. The type of short rows is not specified. In fact, the pattern only says “Turn” with no further directions. So remember to do a double-stitch or wrap & turn. There are some errors and typos in this free pattern, but experienced knitters should know what the intent is. Only metric measurements are given, so American knitters will have to convert everything into inches. There is no garment diagram with measurements, making it somewhat hard to choose a pattern size. Most knitters will go by the age of the child, but that doesn’t always work out. Free patterns don’t always include all the usual information. This pattern probably was not tested. Nadine does have some super cute “pay for” patterns as well as this one.

What I did differently:

• The pattern stitch gauge was 21 sts x 28 rnds = 4” My stitch gauge was 19.3 sts x 28 rnds = 4”. This was due to me using smaller needles and DK weight yarn rather than fingering weight. I made this pattern work with the yarn that I had on hand.

• I did a tubular cast on at the neck. See video tutorial link below.

• I used a single strand of yarn throughout. Since my yarn was heavier (DK weight), I used much smaller needles than recommended in the pattern. My stitch gauge was off intentionally.

• During the short rows, there are some raglan increases done while on the wrong side of the work. The pattern says to do these with M1R and M1L. I did the WS increases as M1pR and M1pL instead.

• It seems that the center raglan stitch is supposed to be a purl stitch. I just did a knit stitch all the way down the raglan line.

• The second color stripe in the pattern is shown completed BEFORE sleeves and body are separated. I started the second (variagated) color 6 rounds before putting the sleeves stitches on holders. And I continued the second color while knitting the body. The center stripe on mine is 14 rounds (about 2” or 5 sm wide).

• Prior to starting the lower ribbing, I increases 22 sts (M1L) evenly all around (approx. every 7th st) for a total of 156 sts. (134 body sts + 22 = 156 sts total for ribbing.) I almost always do this to prevent the lower ribbing from pulling in with the smaller needle. I prefer for the bottom of my sweaters to hang straighter at the bottom.

• For some reason, the sweater lengths specified in the pattern are extremely long. For example, this 1 - 2 year size calls for over 13” (33 cm) of length from underarm to the bottom edge. That’s the length that I use for my ADULT sweaters. Also, the center back length given in the pattern for this size is extremely long (18” or 45.7 cm) Seems like that length for a 1 - 2 year old child would go all the way to their knees or at least well past the butt. I made mine 15.5” (39.4 cm) long from center back.

• Decreased 2 sts every 7th round on sleeves (8 times). 16 sts total decreased before sleeve ribbing. Then I knit 2 more rounds straight before decreasing ONE more time on the 3rd and last round before the ribbing. The reason for this one additional decrease is stated below.

• I did 10 rounds of ribbing for lower edge and sleeve cuffs. Please note that there’s an error in the pattern for all sizes. Sleeves must end with an even number of stitches in preparation for K1, P1 ribbing all around. Therefore, I did one extra round with a single decrease before starting the sleeve cuff ribbing - ending with 38 sts instead of 39.

Needles used:

Size 2.5 US Addi - Neck ribbing

Size 5.5 US Addi - Body and sleeves (4mm which Ravelry calls a size “6 US.” However, I call a 4 mm needle a size 5.5 US because it’s actually smaller than most US size 6 needles (such as Susan Bates brand.

Size 2 US Addi - Bottom and sleeve ribbing

US 1 Addi - Bind off lower edge only (JSSBO)

Measurements after steam blocking:

Body circumference - 28.5”

Length from underarm to bottom edge - 9.5” (8” + 1.5” ribbing)

Center back to bottom edge, including neck ribbing - 15.5”

Video tutorial - Neat joggless join for wide stripes knit in the round

This is my very favorite tubular cast on (in the round) demonstrated by Suzanne Bryan. It’s super stretchy and very easy: