Bobby Shaftoe Cardigan Sweater, Size 4-5

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MATERIALS:

8 oz. blue knitting worsted
2 oz. white knitting worsted
1 pair No. 3 knitting needles
1 pair No. 5 knitting needles
Knitting Chart

GAUGE:

5 1/2 stitches = 1 inch
7 rows = 1 inch

BACK:

With No. 3 needles and blue yarn, cast on 68 stitches and work in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2, for 16 rows, increasing 1 stitch at end of last row to 69 stitches. Change to No. 5 needles and work balance of back in stockinette stitch. Work two rows, then on next row, a knit row, attach white yarn and follow chart for back. When you have finished the pattern, break off white yarn, leaving several inches for finishing.

Work balance of back in blue, working even until work measures 7 1/2 inches above ribbing or desired length to underarm. Shape armhole by binding off 5 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows and then decreasing 1 stitch at beginning of every row until there are 53 stitches left. Work even until armhole measures 4 1/2 inches straight up.

Now bind off 5 stitches at beginning of next 6 rows. Put remaining 23 stitches on a stitch holder and leave.

RIGHT FRONT:

With No. 3 needles and blue yarn, cast on 30 stitches and work in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2, for 16 rows, increasing 3 stitches evenly spaced across last row, to 33 stitches. Change to No. 5 needles and work stockinette stitch for balance of front. Work 2 rows blue (1 knit row then 1 purl row) then attach white yarn and follow chart for Right Front, reading chart from left to right as indicated. After pattern is finished continue in blue. When front measures same length as back to underarm, bind off 5 stitches at beginning of a purl row for armhole, and then decrease 1 stitch at beginning of every purl row until there are 25 stitches left on needle. Work straight for 10 rows. On the next row (a knit row) knit 7 stitches, then take these 7 stitches off on a stitch holder and knit to end of row. Continue, decreasing 1 stitch at beginning of next 3 knit rows, and still working even at armhole edge. Then bind off the first 5 stitches on each purl row until all stitches are bound off.

LEFT FRONT:

Work to correspond to right front, reversing the pattern by reading the chart from right to left as indicated. Be sure to do shaping for armhole, neck, and shoulders at opposite edges from first half.

Sew shoulder seams.

NECK:

With No. 3 needles and holding the right side of work toward you, starting at right front, pick up and knit the 7 stitches from the holder, 5 stitches over the shoulder, then 23 from the back, then 5 stitches over left shoulder and lastly the 7 stitches from neck edge of left front. You will have 47 stitches on needle. Purl across, decreasing to 46 stitches by purling 23rd and 24th stitches together. Next row attach white yarn and work Neck Pattern, following chart, but keeping 2 extra blue stitches at each edge of work in addition to stitches shown on chart. Break white yarn and knit next 3 rows to form turnover and then continue in stockinette stitch for 6 more rows. Bind off. Fold neck at purl row and sew in place.

SLEEVES:

With No. 3 needles and blue yarn, cast on 40 stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2, for 16 rows, increasing 1 stitch each end of needle in last row (to 42 stitches). Change to No. 5 needles and continue in stockinette stitch for balance of sleeve. Work 2 rows of blue, then attach white yarn and work first 2 rows (the border) of pattern as shown for back and front. Drop white yarn now, but do not break off. Work 2 more rows of blue, then work sleeve pattern as shown on chart. When you have finished this pattern, break off white yarn and continue in blue only.

Increase 1 stitch each end of every 10th row until there are 56 stitches. Work even until sleeve measures 10 1/2 inches above ribbing. Bind off 5 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows and then decrease 1 stitch at beginning of next 24 rows. Then bind off 2 stitches at beginning of next 6 rows. Bind off remaining 10 stitches.

FINISHING:

Sew in sleeves and sew side seams. Then using blue yarn and No. 3 needles, cast on 5 stitches and work a strip in stockinette stitch the length of front opening. Make a second such strip. Fold strips in half sideways and then sew these folded strips on as a binding, leaving spaces evenly for buttonholes on the left front if the sweater is for a boy and on the right front if the sweater is for a girl.


Other great patterns from Mother Goose Sweaters, Volume 50:

Knitting Patterns

Pussy Cat Sweater Vest
Little Pony Sweater Vest
Three Ships Pullover
Three Blind Mice Sweater Vest
Simple Simon Cardigan
Hey Diddle-Diddle Cardigan
Jack Be Nimble Sweater
Bobby Shaftoe Cardigan
Trip and Go Sweater
Butterfly, Butterfly Pullover
Dr. Foster Cardigan