Kids’ Striped Drop-Shoulder Pullover
Flat pieces, simple crew neck and bold stripes. Sized from the child size chart for ages 2–16.
- Yarn
- Worsted (4) machine-washable wool in two colours, A and B.
- Needles
- US 8 (5 mm) and US 6 (4 mm), plus US 6 16 in (40 cm) circular for the neckband
- Sizes
- Child 2–16 years. Example: 6 years, chest 25 in, finished chest 29 in (74 cm), length 16 in (41 cm).
- Example gauge
- 18 sts and 24 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette
- Yarn needed
- About 600 yd (550 m) worsted for 6 years, split roughly evenly between A and B.
- Stitch multiple
- 4 + 2
Do the math
The examples use the gauge above. Put your own swatch into the gauge calculator first, then use your numbers in each formula.
| Step | Formula | Example | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panel sts | (chest + 4 in) ÷ 2 × sts per in, to 4 + 2 | 14.5 × 4.5 = 65.25 → 66 sts | Cast-On Calculator |
| Back neck | about 6 in of sts, even | 26 sts; shoulders 20 each | By hand |
| Sleeve top | 2 × armhole depth (6.5 in) × sts per in, to 4 + 2 | 13 × 4.5 = 58.5 → 58 | By hand |
| Cuff | about 7 in × sts per in, to 4 + 2 | 31.5 → 30 sts | By hand |
| Sleeve increases | (58 − 30) ÷ 2 = 14 each side over 48 rows | every 4th row × 10, every 2nd × 4 | Size Charts |
Materials
- Worsted (4) yarn (see yarn needed)
- US 8 (5 mm) and US 6 (4 mm), plus US 6 16 in (40 cm) circular for the neckband
- Stitch holders
- Tapestry needle
Gauge swatch
Stockinette swatch.
Instructions
Back
With smaller needles and A, cast on (example: 66). Work *k2, p2* rib (k2 edge sts) for 2 in. Change to larger needles and work stockinette in stripes of 4 rows A, 4 rows B to 16 in. Put 20 sts / 26 sts / 20 sts on holders.
Front
Work as the back to 14 in (length − 2 in).
Neck: Knit 26, bind off 14, knit 26. Working each side separately, decrease 1 st at the neck edge every RS row 6 times (20 sts). Work to 16 in. Put the shoulder sts on holders.
Sleeves (make 2)
With smaller needles and A, cast on the cuff count. Rib 2 in. Change to larger needles and work stripes, increasing 1 st each end every 4th row 10 times, then every 2nd row 4 times. Work to 10 in total. Bind off.
Finishing
- Join the shoulders with a three-needle bind-off.
- Neckband: with the circular needle and A, knit the back neck sts, pick up about 3 sts per 4 rows down the front neck sides and 1 per stitch across the front. Adjust to a multiple of 4. Work 1 in of *k2, p2* rib. Bind off loosely.
- Place markers 6.5 in below the shoulders. Sew in sleeves between the markers, then seam sides and sleeves.
Designer’s notes
- Match stripes at the side seams by starting each piece on the same stripe row.
- Kids grow: add 1 in of length and use it as a turned-back cuff.
Counter set-up
Counter 1: stripe rows (reset at 8). Counter 2: sleeve increases.
Open the row & stitch counter for several counters, or use the quick one below.
Tools for this pattern
- Size ChartsLook up the finished measurements for the size you are making.
- Gauge CalculatorEnter your swatch counts to get stitches and rows per 4 in (10 cm).
- Cast-On CalculatorEnter your width and gauge; it rounds to the stitch multiple for you.
- Yarn Quantity CalculatorPick the project, size and yarn weight to get total yardage and skeins to buy.
- Row & Stitch CounterSet up the counters listed below; the screen stays awake while you work.