Aidan

Aidan Knitted Sweater by Amber Bertram

What is Being Made

The Aidan is a long-sleeved knitted sweater designed for babies and children, available in sizes ranging from newborn through 10 years old (chest measurements from 38cm/15" to 71cm/28"). This garment is positioned as the worsted-weight, sleeved version of the Billy vest, making it a versatile layering piece for young children. The sweater features a distinctive cosy ribbed collar and includes a generous kangaroo pocket, a practical design element that appeals to the needs of small children for carrying treasures and small items.

Sizing Range

The pattern includes comprehensive sizing across multiple age groups with the following chest measurements:

• Newborn to 3 months: 38cm (15")
• 3 months: 40.5cm (16")
• 6 months: 43cm (17")
• 9 months: 45.5cm (18")
• 12 months: 48cm (19")
• 18 months: 50.5cm (20")
• 24 months: 53cm (21")
• 3 years: 56cm (22")
• 4 years: 58.5cm (23")
• 5 years: 61cm (24")
• 6 years: 63.5cm (25")
• 7 years: 65.5cm (25¾")
• 8 years: 67cm (26½")
• 9 years: 69cm (27¼")
• 10 years: 71cm (28")

The pattern instructions include 3 inches of ease in the sizing, allowing crafters to choose a size close to the child's actual chest measurement for a comfortable fit.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Aidan sweater employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginner-level crafters. The construction begins with a ribbed collar worked on smaller needles, which creates the characteristic elastic, fitted neckline. The collar is created using a slip stitch edge (sl1) to maintain neat selvage edges, followed by alternating knit and purl stitches in a classic 1x1 rib pattern.

The pattern utilizes wrap and turn (w&t) short-row shaping, a technique visible in the collar construction where the knitter wraps yarn around the needle at turning points and then works back in the opposite direction. This creates smooth, contoured shaping without visible holes, particularly useful for achieving a well-fitted neckline on small garments.

As a worsted-weight sweater designed for quick knitting, the Aidan uses straightforward stockinette stitch for the body, combined with ribbed sections for structure and stretch. The kangaroo pocket is an integrated design feature that adds practical functionality while remaining accessible to beginner knitters.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k): The fundamental stitch forming the smooth fabric of the sweater body
• Purl stitch (p): Used in combination with knit stitches to create the ribbed collar and ribbed sections throughout the garment
• 1x1 Ribbing: Alternating single knit and purl stitches in vertical columns, providing elasticity and structure to the collar
• Slip stitch (sl1): Used at the beginning of rows to create neat, finished edges
• Wrap and turn (w&t): A short-row shaping technique that creates smooth contours in the collar without visible gaps

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Aidan is designed to be knitted with worsted-weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn that creates a fabric with good drape and warmth while remaining quick to knit. The pattern specifically calls for Skeinz Superwash Merino, a washable merino wool yarn that combines the softness and temperature-regulating properties of merino with practical easy-care superwash treatment—an important consideration for children's gar