Child's Sweater (size 8)

Gauge: 8 stitches to the inch & 11 rows to the inch. Be sure to knit a swatch to check your gauge for best results and proper fit.

Needles: US Size 2 (2.75 mm) straight needle, US size 1.5 (2.5 mm).

Yarn: DK for denser knit fabric or fingering for a sweater with more drape.

Measurement: Chest - 26 inches
Length - 16 1/2 inches
Sleeve Length - 14 inches



BODY FRONT AND BACK

With smaller needle cast on 104 stitches - K2, P2 for 2 inches.

Switch to larger needle and knit in stocking st (Knit 1 row, purl 1 row) with the exception of the first and last 2 stitches of each row, which should be knit garter stitch to make a neat underarm seam (in other words, knit the first and last 2 stitches of each row, every row), until the sweater measures 10 1/2 inches.

To begin armhole, knit and then slip on safety pin the first 7 stitches, Knit 90 stitches, slip on safety pin the last 7 stitches.

Knit stocking st, the with exception of the first and last 2 stitches of each row, which should be knit garter stitch, same as underarm, on the remaining 90 sts for 3 inches.

Knit 30 sts - K2 tog, K1. Take off and string or place on stitch holder the remaining 57 sts. Continue in stocking st on stitches left on needle (with garter st boarder at armhole) decreasing in next 5 rows by knitting together 2nd and 3rd sts from neck. Continue plain knitting (stocking st) on the 27 remaining sts for 1 inch.

Work in garter stitch remaining 27 stitches on needle for 20 rows or 10 ridges, ending at neck. Break off yarn. Leave 24 sts for front of neck on string or stitch holder.

Slip on needle the last 33 sts. Work to correspond with first shoulder. Purl back to neck with exception of the first 2 knit sts.

For back of neck cast on same needle 36 sts and purl sts from first shoulder.

Work in stocking st with the exception of the garter stitch border for 5 1/2 inches.

Cast on at each end of next row 7 sts - work in stocking st until back measures same as front, with ribbing of knit 2, purl 2 same as front.

Bind off loosely, knitting the knit stitches and purling the purled stitches.

SLEEVES:

Pick up around armhole and knit 78 sts. Knit even in stocking sts (garter stitch border) as underarm for 4 inches. Decrease at both ends of row every 1/2 inch by knitting together 3rd and 4th stitches from the ends until 46 sts remain on needle. Knit plain in stocking st until sleeve measures 12 inches. Work in ribbing of K1, P1 for 2 inches. Bind off loosely, knitting the knit sts and purling the purled sts. **** You might make your decreases a little closer together than 1/2 inch if you choose.****

NECK:

Pick up stitches around neck and work in ribbing of K1, P1 for 1/2 inch. Bind off very loosely.

Join sleeve and underarm seams.

NOTE: It is a good idea to work the ribbing on the bottom and the sleeves and the neck on a size smaller needle than the sweater is knitted on.