Child's Knit Pullover Sweater

This is a sweater I made for my daughter a while ago but kept forgetting to take a picture so I could post it. I like the random variations in color and the striping effect made by the variegated yarn, but you could use any solid or variegated yarn that you like. This sweater was knitted using mainly a basic stockinet stitch, but it would also look nice in a seed stitch. Hmmm… I might have to add that to the list of projects on my to-do list. :) 

My daughter is 5 and this fits her perfectly - you’ll want to add or subtract stitches and/or rows to fit the child you’re making this for.

Materials:

• Size 8 needles
• Additional needle for 3-needle BO at shoulder seams
• 16″ or 24" circular needle - I used size 6 but size 8 would work also.
• Approx 12 oz medium worsted weight yarn
• Stitch holders (you can buy stitch holders or use large diaper pins or scrap yarn)

Instructions:
Back:  Cast on 66 sts.
Row 1 (Right Side): *K2, P2; repeat from * across to last 2 sts, K2
Row 2 (Wrong Side): *P2, K2; repeat from * across to last 2 sts, P2
Rows 3 & 5: repeat row 1
Rows 4 & 6: repeat row 2
Row 7: K each stitch across
Row 8: P each stitch across
Repeat rows 7 & 8 (stockinet stitch) until the back is 15″ long, ending with a wrong side row.
Neck and shoulder row: K20 and place these stitches on a stitch holder. BO (bind off) center 26 sts, then K remaining 20 sts and place on a stitch holder.  These stitches will be worked when attaching front to back at shoulder seams.

Front: Work as for back until front is 13″ long.  Begin neck shaping.
Left Front: Work across 24 sts and turn work (leaving the remaining sts on your needle to be worked with the right front).  Working these 24 sts only, dec 1 st at neck edge every RS row 4 times.
Continue in st stitch until the front is as long at the shoulder as the back.  Place these stitches on a stitch holder.
Right front: Join a new ball of yarn and BO the center 18 sts and work across remaining sts.  Dec 1 st at neck edge every RS row 4 times.  Continue in st stitch until the front is as long at the shoulder as the back.  Place remaining stitches on a stitch holder.

Sleeves (make 2):  Cast on 36 sts and work K2, P2 ribbing as for the back.  Begin st stitch and inc 1 st at each side every 6th row 10 times.  When the sleeve is 13″ long take a safety pin or piece of contrasting yarn and mark the center of the sleeve and BO all sts.

Finishing:  Do three-needle BO for shoulders:  Transfer the shoulder stitches for both the front and back onto separate needles and with the right sides facing, both needles in your left hand, knit together 1 st from each needle, do this one more time and then bind off as usual.  Continue to knit together 1 st from each needle and BO until no more sts remain.  Repeat for second shoulder.
Set in sleeves, using the safety pin or contrasting yarn as a guide, line up the center of the sleeve with the shoulder seam and sew in sleeves.  Sew up side seams and sleeve seams.

Neck:  Using circular needle, pick up 80 stitches evenly around neck and work 5 rounds of K2-P2 ribbing.  BO loosely.