Christmas Sweater 2019 - English

Christmas Sweater 2019 is knit from the top and down in one piece. The piece is first worked in the round while the double neckline is shaped with short rows. Then, the piece is worked back and forth with an opening at the front left raglan border. Intarsia is used to knit a gnome or snowman motif into the front of the sweater by working back and forth, and the piece is completed with a ribbed edge. Mattress stitch is used to discretely seam the opening and if done carefully, the seaming will be close to invisible leaving you with an excellent finish. The sleeves are worked in the round using magic loop or double-pointed needles with a ribbed edge. Once you’re finished knitting, you can use your imagination to decorate your very own Christmas gnome or snowman!

Sizes

3-6 (6-9) 9-12 months (1-2) 3-4 (5-6) 7-8 years

Finished measurements

Chest circumference: approx. 49.5 (54) 58.5 (63) 68.5 (72) 77 cm [19.5 (21.25) 23 (24.75) 27 (28.5) 30.25 inches]

Length from mid-front to waist edge: approx. 27 (29) 31 (33) 38 (41) 43 cm [10.75 (11.5) 12.25 (13) 15 (16.25) 17 inches]

Inside sleeve length: approx. 15 (17) 19 (20) 24 (30) 33 cm [6 (6.75) 7.5 (7.75) 9.5 (11.75) 13 inches]

Knitting gauge

22 stitches x 30 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches] (stocking stitch on a 4.00 mm [US6] needle).

Suggested needle size

4.00 mm [US6] circular needle for body, 4.00 mm [US6] circular needle or double-pointed needles for sleeves (if not using magic loop), 3.50 mm [US4] circular needle and/or double-pointed needles for ribbed edges. Make a swatch before you start knitting to ensure that your gauge is correct before you start the pattern. Depending on how you knit, you may need to go up or down half a needle size to meet the gauge. Gauge in the suggested yarn is measured after washing and blocking of a swatch.

Materials

Main colour: 150 (150) 150-200 (200) 250 (250) 300 g Drops Lima (DK, 50 g = 100 m [109 yds]) or Mayflower Easy Care Classic (DK, 50 g = 106 m [115 yds]).

Hat colour: all sizes – less than 50 g

Face/beard colour: all sizes – less than 50 g

Snowman: all sizes – less than 50 g

Additional: stitch markers, tapestry needle, scrap yarn to make a pompom (gnome), orange yarn for carrot nose and stuffing (e.g., old tights), and a button or other chosen materials to decorate.

Note about yarn choice and gauge: You may use any yarn that gives the right gauge. Note that if you do not meet both stitch and row gauge, your finished sweater won’t be the intended size and the shape of your motif may be distorted.