These easy knit cardigan patterns will bring a smile to your face. A perfect back to school knit, these colorful Garter Stitch Jackets are sure to have your kids looking great. Get a two-for-one deal with this pattern from Patons. These are great beginner knitting projects because they are made using one of the easiest knitting stitches. Want to add a little variety? Sew in a zipper for the girl's version or attach some toggle buttons for the boy's. Your kids are going to love it when you learn how to knit a sweater as fun as these two.
Knitting Needle Size5 or 3.75 mm
Yarn Weight(3) Light/DK (21-24 stitches to 4 inches)
Materials:
Boy's Version
- Patons Astra (50 g/1.75 oz; 161 yds/147 m) 6 (7, 7, 8) balls
- Size 3.75 mm (U.S. 5) knitting needles or size needed to obtain
- tension
- 4 toggles
Girl's Version
- Patons Astra (50 g/1.75 oz; 161 yds/147 m) 6 (7, 8, 9) balls
- Size 3.75 mm (U.S. 5) knitting needles or size needed to obtain
- tension.
- Separating zipper
Gauge/Tension: 21 sts and 42 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] in garter st.
Measurements:
Chest measurement:
- 2 22 ins [ 56 cm ]
- 4 24 ins [ 61 cm ]
- 6 26 ins [ 66 cm ]
- 8 28 ins [ 71 cm ]
Finished chest:
- 2 25 ins [ 61 cm ]
- 4 29 ins [73.5cm ]
- 6 32 ins [81.5cm ]
- 8 35 ins [89 cm ]
Abbreviations:
- Beg = beginning
- cont = continue(ity)
- Inc = Increase(ing)
- K = knit
- k2tog = Knit next 2 stitches together.
- M1 = Make 1 stitch by picking up horizontal loop lying before next stitch and knitting into back of loop.
- RS = right side
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- WS = wrong side
Instructions:
The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger sizes the instructions will be written thus ( ).
BODY
Note: Body is worked in one piece sideways.
Left Sleeve: Cast on 34 (36-36- 40) sts. Knit 6 rows (garter st). Inc 1 st each end of needle on next and following 4th rows until there are 46 (50-50-52) sts, then every following 6th row to 56 (62-68-74) sts. Cont even in garter st for 34 (40-32-40) rows more ending with RS facing for next row.
Boy’s Version only: Cast on 40 (45-57-63) sts beg next 2 rows. Place markers each end of needle. 136 (152-182-200) sts.
Girl’s Version only: Cast on 57 (78-89-100) sts beg next 2 rows. Place markers each end of needle. 170 (218-246-274) sts.
Both Versions: Proceed in garter st (knit every row) until work from markers measures 3¼ (4¼-4¾- 5½) ins [8.5 (11-12-14) cm] ending with RS facing for next row.
BACK: K68 (76-91-100) for Boy’s Version or K85 (109-123-137) for Girl’s Version. Turn. Leave rem 68 (76-91-100) sts for Boy’s Version or 85 (109-123-137) sts for Girl’s Version on st holder. Place second set of markers at each end of needle.
Proceed in garter st until work from second set of markers measures 6 (6-6½-6½) ins [15 (15- 16.5-16.5) cm], ending with RS facing for next row. Leave sts on spare needle.
LEFT FRONT: With RS of work facing rejoin yarn to sts on st holder.
Neck shaping: Next row: K2tog. Knit to end of row.
Next row: Knit to last 2 sts. K2tog. Rep last 2 rows 6 times more.
Boy’s Version only: 54 (62-77-86) sts.
Girl’s Version only: 71 (95-109- 123) sts.
Both Versions: Cont even in garter st until work from first set of markers measures 6¼ (7¼-8-8¾) ins [16 (18.5-20.5-22) cm] ending with WS facing for next row.
Cast off knitwise.
Boy’s Version only: Right Front: Cast on 44 (52-67-76) sts. Work 7 rows in garter st noting first row is WS, ending with RS facing for next row.
Cast on 10 sts beg next row. 54 (62-77-86) sts.
Girl’s Version only: Right Front: Cast on 71 (95-109-123) sts.
Both Versions: Cont even in garter st until work from beg measures 3¾ (3¾-4-4) ins [9.5 (9.5-10-10) cm] for Boy’s Version or 3 (3-3¼-3¼) ins [7.5 (7.5-8.5- 8.5) cm] for Girl’s Version ending with RS facing for next row.
Neck shaping: Next row: K1. M1. Knit to end of row.
Next row: Knit to last st. M1. K1. Rep last 2 rows 6 times more.
Boy’s Version only: 68 (76-91- 100) sts. Leave these sts on spare needle.
Girl’s Version only: 85 (109-123- 137) sts. Leave these sts on spare needle.
Both Versions: Joining row: With RS of work facing, rejoin yarn to sts from Back st holder. Knit these sts, then knit sts from spare needle. Place third set of markers.
Boy’s Version: 136 (152-182-200) sts.
Girl’s Version: 170 (218-246-274) sts.
Both Versions: Proceed in garter st until work from third set of markers measures 3¼ (4¼-4¾- 5½) ins [8.5 (11-12-14) cm] ending with RS facing for next row.
Boy’s Version only: Cast off 40 (45-57-63) sts beg next 2 rows. Place fourth set of markers each end of needle. 56 (62-68-74) sts.
Girl’s Version only: Cast off 57 (78-89-100) sts beg next 2 rows. Place fourth set of markers each end of needle. 56 (62-68-74) sts.
Both Versions: Right Sleeve: Cont in garter st for 34 (40-32-40) rows ending with RS facing for next row.
Dec 1 st each end of needle on next and following 6th rows until there are 46 (50-50-52) sts, then every following 4th row to 34 (36- 36-40) sts. Work 6 rows even ending with RS facing for next row. Cast off knitwise.
HOOD
Cast on 108 (112-120-128) sts.
Proceed in garter st until work from beg measures 9½ (10-10½- 11) ins [24 (25.5-26.5-28) cm] ending with RS facing for next row.
Hood shaping: Next row: K98 (102-108-118). Turn. Leave rem sts on spare needle.
Next row: K88 (92-98-108). Turn.
Next row: K78 (82-88-98). Turn.
Next row: K68 (72-78-88). Turn.
Next row: K58 (62-68-78). Turn.
Next row: K48 (52-58-68). Turn.
Next row: K38 (42-48-58).
Leave rem sts on a st holder (center back). Break yarn leaving a long end. Fold hood in half. Divide rem sts onto 2 needles and graft center back seam. Sew sleeve and side seams. Sew hood to neck edge.
FINISHING
Pin garment pieces to measurements. Cover with a damp cloth leaving to dry.
Boy’s Version only: Cord casing: Place markers each end of jacket 1 inch [2.5 cm] up from bottom. Fold along marked line to WS and sew in position leaving ends open to insert Cord.
Cord: Cut 4 strands of yarn 88 ins [223.5 cm] long. With all strands tog hold one end and with someone holding other end, twist strands to the right until they begin to curl. Fold the 2 ends tog and tie in a knot so they will not unravel. The strands will now twist themselves tog. Adjust length if desired. Thread cord through opening and tie.
Toggle Loops: (Make 4). Cut 2 strands of yarn 7 ins [18 cm] long. Work as given for Cord. Fold in half and sew in position as illustrated. Sew on toggles to correspond to toggle loops.
Girl’s Version only: Sew in zipper.