Product Description
This playful kids' sweater is knit from the top down with raglan shaping and a stranded colourwork pattern of rainbow hearts. The pattern is written for six sizes with a finished chest range of 25¼-38"/64-96.5 cm (approximately children's size 2 through size 14). Each size has its own set of easy-to-follow charts with the shaping included.
This sweater is designed to be worn with 3-6”/8-15cm of ease. Size 4 with Dusk (dark blue) MC is shown modeled with 6½“/16.5cm positive ease. Size 6/8 with Corduroy (brown) MC is shown modeled with 5”/12cm positive ease.
Gauge19 sts and 24 rnds = 4”/10cm in Rainbow Heart pattern and Stockinette stitch, worked in the rnd, after wet blocking.
Rainbow Heart Sweater by Elizabeth Sullivan
What is Being Made
The Rainbow Heart Sweater is a children's knitted pullover designed by Elizabeth Sullivan for Sweet Paprika Designs. This intermediate-level project features a classic crew neck construction with a fitted silhouette. The sweater is available in six sizes ranging from 2 to 14, with finished chest measurements from 25¼ inches (64 cm) for the smallest size up to 38 inches (96.5 cm) for the largest. Length measurements vary from 14½ inches (36.5 cm) to 22 inches (56 cm) depending on the selected size, making this pattern adaptable for growing children.
Knitting Techniques Used
This sweater incorporates several important knitting techniques that contribute to its intermediate difficulty level. The pattern employs 2-stranded colorwork, a technique where two colors of yarn are worked simultaneously to create the decorative rainbow heart design. This method requires careful tension management, as knitters may find their gauge shifts when working colorwork compared to single-color stockinette stitch.
The collar receives special attention in the pattern instructions, designed as a fairly close-fitting crew neck. To ensure proper fit and comfort, the pattern recommends using a long-tail cast-on or other stretchy cast-on method at the beginning. The bind-off is equally important and should be worked loosely to maintain elasticity, particularly for the smaller sizes. Alternative bind-off options are suggested, including suspended bind-off or Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off, which are especially useful for knitters who naturally work tight bind-offs.
Stitches Used
The primary stitch structure is stockinette stitch, which creates the smooth, classic fabric base for the sweater. The colorwork design is integrated into this stockinette foundation using the 2-stranded technique, where the rainbow heart motif is worked by carrying and switching between two yarn colors as directed by the pattern chart.
Materials: Yarn and Needles
The Rainbow Heart Sweater is designed to be worked in worsted and heavy worsted weight yarns, providing a durable and warm fabric suitable for children's wear. The specific needle size is not detailed in the provided pattern excerpt, though the instructions note that adjusting needle size may be beneficial when binding off, particularly for knitters who work tightly. The pattern recommends going up a needle size or two if needed to achieve a loose, stretchy bind-off.
Pattern and photos © Sweet Paprika Designs 2021
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Heavy Worsted, Worsted |
| Pages: | 18 |
| Designer: | Elizabeth Sullivan |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Notes: | Smooth waste yarn |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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