Squirel Sweater in Novita Venla - Downloadable PDF

Squirrel Sweater in Novita Venla

What is Being Made

The Squirrel Sweater is a children's knitted pullover featuring an intarsia design of a squirrel motif. This downloadable PDF pattern is designed by Sari Nordlund and comes in five size options ranging from toddler through early childhood: size 98(110)122(134)146 cm, corresponding to UK sizes 2-3(4-5)6-7(8-9)10-11 and US sizes 2T(5)6X-7(9 to 10)11. The finished garment has a body circumference of 68(72)76(80)84 cm and sleeve lengths of 39(42)45(48)52 cm, making it suitable for growing children.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques. The sweater is constructed using in-the-round knitting on double-pointed needles, which creates seamless fabric and is particularly useful for sleeves and ribbed sections. The pattern incorporates intarsia knitting for the squirrel design, a technique that allows for detailed colorwork by using separate yarn strands for different colored sections. Strategic increases are worked into the piece to shape the sleeves and body, using the method of knitting into the strand between stitches through the back loop to create new stitches. The sweater also features bind-off techniques for finishing the shoulder stitches, with the option to leave stitches on hold for seaming or grafting.

Stitches Used

The Squirrel Sweater is primarily constructed using stockinette stitch in the round, which creates the smooth, classic knit fabric that forms the body and sleeves of the sweater. Ribbing is worked at the cuffs and other edges, providing elasticity and a neat finish. The intarsia design for the squirrel motif is worked into the stockinette stitch fabric, requiring careful color changes and yarn management to create the detailed pictorial element.

Materials

This pattern calls for Novita Venla yarn, a 4-ply weight yarn suitable for children's garments. The color palette includes three shades: Haze (the primary color, requiring 150(200)250(250)300 grams depending on size), Oat (less than 50 grams for the intarsia design), and Sandy B (additional yardage for the squirrel motif). Knitters will need double-pointed needles in two sizes—smaller needles for the ribbed sections and larger needles for the main stockinette stitch fabric—to achieve proper gauge and fabric drape appropriate for a children's sweater.