Skating Penguin Pullover in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash® Merino - W644 - Downloadable PDF

Skating Penguin Pullover in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash® Merino – Pattern W644 by Amy Bahrt

This delightful children's knitting pattern, W644, is designed by Amy Bahrt and published by Cascade Yarns®. It features a charming skating penguin motif worked into a classic pullover sweater sized for young children. Available as a free downloadable PDF, this pattern is rated Intermediate in skill level, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with colorwork and basic garment construction.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a children's pullover sweater featuring a whimsical skating penguin design. It is sized for children's sizes 2, 4, and 6, with the following finished measurements:

• Chest: 26 (28, 30) inches
• Body length: 14½ (15½, 16½) inches
• Sleeve length: 11½ (12, 12½) inches
• Armhole depth: 5¾ (6¼, 6¾) inches

The playful penguin motif and bright, multicolor palette make this pullover an eye-catching handknit gift or wardrobe staple for young children who love fun, illustrated knitwear.

Techniques Used

As an intermediate-level pattern, this pullover calls on a range of knitting techniques beyond simple beginner construction. Knitters will work colorwork to create the skating penguin graphic, which likely involves carrying multiple yarn colors across rows — a technique known as stranded knitting or intarsia, depending on how the motif sections are structured. Managing multiple colors simultaneously requires attention to yarn tension and float management to keep the fabric smooth and even on the right side.

Garment shaping techniques are also employed, including armhole shaping and sleeve construction, which are standard elements of a set-in or drop-shoulder pullover build. The pattern also incorporates embroidery using a needle and black thread, adding fine detail to the penguin design that would be difficult to achieve through knitting alone. A novelty black and white button (7/8 inch) serves as a decorative accent, adding a three-dimensional finishing touch to the motif.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch – the primary fabric stitch, worked at a gauge of 20 stitches × 24 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)
• Colorwork stitches – used to render the skating penguin motif in multiple colors across the body of the sweater
• Ribbing or edging stitches – typically used at cuffs, hem, and neckline on children's pullovers of this construction style

Materials: Yarn

The pattern is written specifically for Cascade Yarns® 220 Superwash® Merino, a DK weight yarn made from 100% Superwash Merino Wool. Each skein contains 220 yards (200 m) and weighs 100 g (3.5 oz). The Superwash treatment makes this yarn machine-washable — a highly practical quality for children's garments. The soft Merino fiber is gentle against young skin, and the DK weight produces a fabric with excellent stitch definition for colorwork motifs.

Six colors are called for in this pattern:

• Color A – #37 Ice Green: 2 (3, 3) skeins — the main background color
• Color B – #25 White: 1 (1, 1) skein
• Color C – #28 Black: 1 (1, 1) skein
• Color D – #7 Bird of Paradise: 1 (1, 1) skein
• Color E – #09 Lemon: 1 (1,