Free Rainbow Sweater Knitting Pattern
This is a really fun knit in a cozy relaxed style. The rainbow adds a lovely dash of colour! It is knitted flat, in chunky yarn and sewn up at the end.
Sizing
1-2 - 2-3 - 4-5 years.
Yarn
I originally made this pattern using Lil Heal The Wool from Wool and the Gang and it has since been discontinued, so please use any chunky yarn that fits with gauge.
300g 400g 500g
Yarn alternatives: (100% wool)
Malabriago Chunky
Wool and the Gang Alpachino
Cascade 128 superwash
Acrylic/ wool blend options;
James C Brett Marble Chunky
Hayfield Spirit Chunky
Paintbox Chunky
Lion Brand Hue and Me
Needle size
6.5mm
Tension
14 stitches 19 rows to 10cm square, check tension and adjust needles size accordingly.
Abbreviations
SS stocking stitch
K knit
P purl
Tog together
Dec decreasing. Decreases are made by knitting or purling 2 sts together.
Right side means knitted side.
Working side means the inside of the work.
Back
Cast on 38, 42, 46 sts
K1, P1 for 5 rows
Begin in SS, and starting with a purl row knit until back measures 22, 25, 30 cm
Shape Raglan
Cast off 3, 4, 4 stitches at the beginning of next 2 rows 32, 34, 38 sts
Work 2 rows decreasing 1 stitch at each end of both rows 30, 32, 36 sts. **
Continuing in stocking stitch decreasing 1 stitch at each end of next and every following alternate row (decreases should be made on the right side row)
Work this way until 14 stitches remain.
Leave 14 sts on a stitch holder.
Front
Work instructions for back until **
Continuing in stocking stitch, decrease 1 stitch at each end of next and every following alternate row until 20, 22, 24 sts.
Shape Neck
Next row (knitted side)
K2tog (arm edge) knit 5, 7, 7 leave the next remaining 13, 13, 15 sts on a stitch holder.
Working on these 6, 8, 8 sts, proceed as follows;
Next row, purl 2tog (neck edge) Purl to end 5, 7, 7 sts
Work 1, 3, 3 rows decreasing 1 stitch at each end of next and every following 0, 0, 2nd row (3sts)
Work 2 rows decreasing 1st at raglan edge (arm) in 2nd row only (2sts)
Next row Purl 2tog and cast off.
With the right side facing, work on remaining 13, 13, 15 sts, proceed as follows;
Slip 6, 4, 6 sts onto a holder.
Rejoin yarn to remaining 7, 9, 9 sts, knit to last 2 sts, K2tog. 6, 8, 8 sts
Purl to last 2sts, purl 2tog. 5, 7, 7 sts.
Work 1, 3, 3 rows dec 1 stitch at each end of the next and following 0, 2nd, 2nd row. (3sts)
Work 2 rows decreasing 1st at raglan edge (arm) in 2nd row only (2sts)
Next row Purl 2tog and cast off BUT first make sure that the raglan seams match the back, you may need to do one or two more rows. If not then cast off.
Sleeves (make 2)
Cast on 22, 24, 26 sts.
K1, P1 for 5 rows.
Starting with a purl row, work in stocking stitch, increasing 1 stitch at each end of next and every following 4th row to 30, 34, 36 sts.
For all 3 sizes continue without shaping until the sleeve measures 21, 25, 29 cm ending with a working side row.
Cast of 3 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows 24, 28, 30 sts.
Work 6 rows decreasing 1 stitch at each end of the next row 22, 26, 28 sts.
Work until you have 8 sts left on the needle.
Check sizing here, make sure sleeve seams match back/front raglan seams, if needed add a couple of rows to the sleeve, ending on a right side row.
Leave remaining stitches on a holder.
Neck
Join raglan seams together leaving the left back raglan open.
With the right side facing knit the sts along the left sleeve (the ones on a holder)
Pick up and knit stitches evenly along the left side of the neck.
Knit across the front stitches left on the stitch holder.
Pick up and knit stitches evenly along the right side of the neck.
Knit stitches along the right sleeve and the back.
Approximately 52, 54, 56 sts.
Beginning with a purl row, work 5 rows in SS.
Work 5 rows in 1x1 rib.
Cast off loosely.
Join left back raglan, sleeve and side seams
You can find some additional help with the neckline here and here.
Rainbow Motif
Crochet
Abbreviations
SC single crochet
CH chain
Using a selection of yarn scraps (5 different colours) proceed as follows;
Starting with chosen yarn, CH1 and make 8SC inside the ring, pull tight, you should have a half circle.
Attach 2nd yarn, CH1, turn.
Row 2. SC in each stitch (8SC)
Attach 3rd yarn, CH1, turn.
Row 3. 2 SC in first stitch, SC in the next, repeat until end of row. (12SC)
Attach 4th yarn, CH1, turn.
Row 4. SC in each st. (12SC)
Attach 5th yarn, CH1, turn.
Row 5. 2 SC in first stitch, SC in the next. (18SC)
Attach 6th yarn, CH1, turn.
Row 6. SC in each stitch (18SC)
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Attach your rainbow wherever you wish, to add a dash of colour.