Mainstay Hoodie

Mainstay Hoodie by Kelly Menzies

What is Being Made

The Mainstay Hoodie is a knitted cardigan hoodie designed by Kelly Menzies and available as a downloadable PDF pattern. This garment combines the functionality of a classic cardigan with the comfort of a hoodie, featuring button closure and a hood. The pattern is sized for infants and toddlers, ranging from newborn (0-3 months) through 3-4 years, making it an ideal project for creating cozy layering pieces for young children.

Sizes and Fit

The Mainstay Hoodie is offered in seven size options:

• 0-3 months with a to-fit chest of 40.5 cm (16 in)
• 3-6 months with a to-fit chest of 43 cm (17 in)
• 6-12 months with a to-fit chest of 45.5 cm (18 in)
• 12-18 months with a to-fit chest of 48 cm (19 in)
• 18-24 months with a to-fit chest of 50.5 cm (20 in)
• 2-3 years with a to-fit chest of 55.5 cm (22 in)
• 3-4 years with a to-fit chest of 58.5 cm (23 in)

The actual chest measurements range from 49 cm (19.25 in) to 65.5 cm (25.75 in), providing comfortable ease for active wear. Back length measurements range from 22 cm (8.75 in) in the smallest size to 34 cm (13.5 in) in the largest size.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Mainstay Hoodie employs fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for an intermediate skill level. The pattern utilizes two primary stitch patterns:

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) as the main fabric, which creates a smooth, classic appearance with a gauge of 24 stitches by 32 rows over a 10 cm (4 inch) square
• Garter stitch for textured elements, worked at a gauge of 24 stitches by 46 rows over a 10 cm (4 inch) square

The construction involves working with circular knitting needles for the body pieces and double-pointed needles for smaller circumference sections such as the sleeves and hood ribbing. The pattern requires the use of stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping, and stitch holders (or scrap yarn as an alternative) to temporarily hold stitches during assembly.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Mainstay Hoodie is designed to be worked in sport weight yarn (5-ply), with the sample garment shown in Ella Rae Cashmere no Sport in shade #27 Chartreuse. Yarn yardage requirements vary by size:

• 0-3 months: 365 meters (400 yards)
• 3-6 months: 405 meters (443 yards)
• 6-12 months: 455 meters (498 yards)
• 12-18 months: 522 meters (570 yards)
• 18-24 months: 550 meters (602 yards)
• 2-3 years: 620 meters (679 yards)
• 3-4 years: 710 meters (777 yards)

Notions and Tools

In addition to yarn and needles, the Mainstay Hoodie requires the following notions and accessories:

• Four stitch markers for tracking pattern sections
• Two stitch holders for managing live stitches
• A yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming
• A row counter to track progress through the pattern
• Four to six medium-sized buttons for closure, depending on size (4 buttons for the two smallest sizes, 5 buttons for the 6-12m and 12-18m sizes, and 6 buttons for the larger sizes)