Dots & Stripes Sweater & Hat in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash® Aran - A184 - Downloadable PDF

Dots & Stripes Sweater & Hat in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash® Aran — Pattern A184 by Amy Bahrt

This free, downloadable PDF knitting pattern by designer Amy Bahrt, published by Cascade Yarns, includes instructions for two coordinating children's projects: a colorwork pullover sweater and a matching hat. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and is worked in Cascade 220 Superwash® Aran weight yarn, making it an excellent choice for a fun, wearable set for kids in sizes 2, 4, and 6.

Projects Included

Dots & Stripes Children's Sweater

The sweater is a cheerful, colorful pullover designed for children, featuring a playful combination of stripe patterns and dot motifs worked across the body and sleeves. The finished chest measurements range from 26 inches (size 2) to 31 inches (size 6), with a body length of up to 17 inches and sleeve length of up to 12½ inches, making it a well-proportioned garment for toddlers and young children.

The sweater is constructed using circular knitting needles, which allows for seamless or minimally seamed construction depending on the section being worked. The colorwork is achieved through stripe sequences — specifically a defined Stripe Pattern alternating 2 rows of color B and 2 rows of color A in a repeating four-row sequence — combined with dot detailing that adds visual interest and texture to the overall design.

• Chest: 26 (28, 31) inches
• Body length: 14½ (15½, 17) inches
• Sleeve length: 11½ (12, 12½) inches
• Armhole depth: 5¾ (6¼, 6¾) inches

Dots & Stripes Children's Hat

The matching hat is designed with an approximate circumference of 17½ inches, making it suitable for young children. Like the sweater, it incorporates the same playful dots and stripes colorwork, ensuring the two pieces coordinate beautifully as a set. The hat is worked in the round on circular knitting needles, consistent with the sweater construction approach.

Techniques Used

This pattern draws on a range of knitting techniques appropriate for an intermediate knitter. The colorwork is achieved through stripe knitting — carrying and alternating multiple yarn colors across rows — rather than complex stranded or intarsia methods, making it accessible to knitters who are comfortable with basic color changes. The dot motifs add a decorative element that elevates the design beyond a simple striped garment.

• Circular knitting — worked in the round using circular needles for seamless sections
• Stripe colorwork — alternating colors in a structured repeat (e.g., 2 rows color B, 2 rows color A)
• Dot motif detailing — decorative pattern elements worked across the fabric
• Shaping — armhole and sleeve shaping using decreases such as K2tog (knit two together)
• Marker placement and slipping — using PM (place marker) and SM (slip marker) for stitch organization
• Cast on and bind off — standard CO and BO techniques
• Finishing — seaming and weaving in ends using an embroidery needle

Stitches Used

The fabric of both the sweater and hat is primarily built on classic, foundational knitting stitches, keeping the construction straightforward while the colorwork provides the visual complexity.

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) — the main fabric stitch, created by alternating knit and purl rows, producing a smooth, flat surface ideal for showcasing stripes and color patterns
• Knit (K) — fundamental stitch used throughout