Skylar Sweater and Tank Top - Knitting Pattern for Kids in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino

Skylar Sweater and Tank Top – Knitting Pattern for Kids by Debbie Bliss

The Skylar Sweater and Tank Top is a charming children's knitting pattern designed by Debbie Bliss, worked in the beloved Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn. This pattern delivers two distinct garments in one download: a classic long-sleeved sweater and a sleeveless tank top, both featuring colourwork detailing and a relaxed, comfortable fit. Sized to fit children aged 2–3, 4–5, 6–7, and 8–9 years, with chest measurements ranging from 53–71 cm (21–28 in), this is a versatile pattern that grows with your child's wardrobe.

About the Two Garments

The Skylar Sweater

The Skylar Sweater is a long-sleeved children's pullover worked in stocking stitch with ribbed welts and cuffs. It features multicolour detailing using up to five shades of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. The finished chest measurement ranges from 66–81 cm (26–31¾ in), with a length of 35–39 cm (13¾–15½ in) and sleeve lengths of 22–29 cm (8¾–11½ in) depending on size. The sweater is a wonderfully wearable everyday garment, combining softness and style in equal measure.

The Skylar Tank Top

The Skylar Tank Top is the sleeveless companion piece to the sweater, sharing the same colourwork design and ribbed edges but omitting the sleeves for a lighter, layerable option. It uses the same five shades of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino but requires fewer balls of the main colour, making it a slightly more economical project. The tank top shares the same chest and length measurements as the sweater, making it easy to knit both garments in matching or coordinating sizes.

Techniques Used

This pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with the basics and ready to explore more structured shaping and simple colourwork. Key techniques used throughout both garments include:

• Stocking stitch (st st) – the primary fabric of both garments, worked over the body and sleeves for a smooth, classic finish
• Rib stitch – a two-row repeating rib pattern (k1, p1 and p1, k1) used for the welts and cuffs, providing stretch and a neat, professional edge
• Colourwork – the pattern incorporates multiple yarn colours (up to five shades), requiring colour changes and yarn management across rows
• Armhole and neckline shaping – worked through decreases and stitch holders to create neat, fitted openings
• Decrease techniques – including skpo (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over) and knit/purl two together for clean, directional shaping
• Working with stitch holders – used to hold live stitches during neck and armhole shaping, a standard intermediate technique

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch – knit on right side rows, purl on wrong side rows; forms the main body fabric
• 1×1 Rib – alternating knit and purl stitches across the row, used for all welts and cuffs
• skpo – a left-leaning decrease: slip one stitch, knit one stitch, pass the slipped stitch over
• k2tog / p2tog – standard right-leaning decreases used in shaping
• Knit and purl through back loop (tbl) – referenced in the abbreviations for refined stitch definition where required

Materials

Yarn

Both garments are knitted in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, a luxuriously soft