Patterns, projects and techniques
I love long, roomy sweaters, and pretty much live in them this time of year. I feel like I need to add the Big Comfy Sweater from Red Heart to my knit list right away.
This simple boxy sweater uses mostly Stockinette Stitch, along with ribbing at the split hem and a ridge stitch pattern at the top and across the sleeves.
It’s worked in two pieces in a lightweight yarn so the big size won’t weigh you down. The pattern is free from Yarnspirations and comes in six sizes.
[Photo: Yarnspirations.]
I’m trying to include more knits for kids in my posts because I know a lot of people do a lot of their knitting for the little ones in their lives.
This child’s striped vest from Lion Brand Yarn is not only cute and great for kids who might find a full sweater too hot, it’s also an easy project if you’ve never knit a garment before.
Lion Brand rates it as level 2 easy/beginner +, probably just because there’s a little shaping and seaming invovled, but it’s nothing you can’t handle.
The pattern comes in three sizes that are meant to be for ages 6, 8 and 10. The finished chest measurement is 30, 31.5 or 33 inches, which is 76, 80 and 84 cm respectively. This makes the vest a little roomy and makes it easy to slip on over a T-shirt or other top.
It’s worked in two pieces from the bottom up, with the neckband and armhole bands worked in the round after the body pieces are sewn together. One benefit of knitting stripes on a project like this is that it’s easier to make sure your pieces are the same length because you can just count the stripes (it’s also a little easier to seam because you’re always lining up the stripes).
If you’re knitting the smallest size, you only need one skein each of the two colors you choose, and for the larger sizes you will only need two, making this project a pretty good value. The suggested yarn is Color Theory, a worsted weight acrylic yarn that comes in 18 relatively muted colors. Of course you can use any worsted weight yarn you like. Keep it acrylic for easy washing or use wool to make this a warmer garment for kids who live in cooler climates.
You can grab the pattern for free from the Lion Brand website, or get a kit that includes the yarn you need (and needles if you don’t have them already). I think this would be a great basic to knit a kid for back to school in their school colors, or make it holiday with red and green, or whatever colors the child likes.
[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]
I made this sweater and was very pleased. Since I am only 5’4″ I think I will make it again only shorter, this one was a little longer than I wanted. I should have followed my instinct and made it shorter than the directions said but I can do that with my next one. All in all it is a great pattern!
Thanks for the comment! I’m 5’6″ so it looks like a great length for me.
I am 5’3”, wondering where the sweater length hit you, Roseann? Longer than in the photo? I think I’d like it about that length.