Free Knitting Pattern for a Child’s Cabled and Lace Sweater, featuring set-in sleeves and a textured design.
This charming children’s sweater combines cables and lace for a sweet and stylish look. The design features a “Taffy Twist Cable” panel flanked by “Lace Columns” on the front. The sweater is knit flat in pieces from the bottom up and seamed, with a picked-up and knit-in-the-round neckband. The sleeves are set-in, and the fit is relaxed.
This design is for intermediate knitters, with cables, lace, and shaping.
This pattern is rated as intermediate. It includes the following techniques:
- Cables: The “Taffy Twist Cable” is an 18-stitch, 36-row repeat. A 6×8 Left Cross (LC) is used within the cable.
- Lace: The “Lace Columns” pattern is an 8-stitch, 4-row repeat, incorporating yarn overs and decreases (ssk, k2tog, sl1-k2tog-psso).
- Twisted Rib: The hem and sleeve cuffs are worked in a K1, P1 Twisted Rib.
- Stockinette Stitch: Used for the back and sleeves.
- Shaping: Armholes, front neck, and sleeve caps are shaped using decreases (k2tog, ssk, p2tog, ssp).
- Seaming: The sweater is knit flat in pieces and seamed.
- Picking Up Stitches: Stitches are picked up for the neckband.
- Knitting in the Round: The neckband is worked in the round.
You will need, Universal Yarn Uptown Baby Sport, US Size 4 (3.5 mm) and US Size 3 (3.25 mm) needles, tapestry needle, stitch markers, a cable needle (cn), and stitch holders or waste yarn.
Skill Level: Intermediate (Cables, lace, shaping, seaming, picking up stitches)
Sizes: 1-2 (2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-10) years
Finished Measurements:
- Chest: 21 (23, 25, 27, 29) inches
- Length: 12¼ (13¾, 15, 16½, 18) inches
Materials Used:
- Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, cable needle (cn), stitch holders or waste yarn
- Universal Yarn Uptown Baby Sport (100% anti-pilling acrylic; 100g/361 yds): 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) balls in color 208 Coral
- Needles:
- US Size 4 (3.5 mm) straight (or size needed to obtain gauge)
- US Size 3 (3.25 mm) straight, set of dpns, or preferred needle for knitting small circumferences
Pattern Considerations:
- Gauge:
- Stockinette Stitch: 24 sts x 30 rows = 4 inches (using larger needle)
- Taffy Twist Cable Panel: 18 sts = 3 inches wide
- Lace Columns: 1 repeat = 1 ½ inches wide
- Achieving the correct gauge is important for the finished size and fit.
- Yarn Substitution: Use a DK weight yarn, if you substitute.
- Cable Definition: 6×8 Left Cross (LC): Sl next 6 sts to cn and hold in front, [p2, k2] 2 times from left ndl, k2, p2, k2 from cn.
- Lace Columns and Taffy Twist Cable: The front of the sweater features a central Taffy Twist Cable panel, with Lace Columns on either side. Pay close attention to the stitch counts and row repeats for each pattern.
- Front Neck Shaping: The front neck is shaped separately for the left and right sides, using decreases and binding off stitches.
- Sleeve Shaping: The sleeves are shaped with increases and then decreases for the sleeve cap.
- Seaming: The pattern provides instructions for seaming the shoulders, sleeves, and sides.
- Neck Edging: The neck edging is picked up and knit in the round using a twisted rib pattern.
