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MATERIALS:

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

GAUGE:

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

BACK:

With No. 3 needles and white yarn cast on 72 stitches and work in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2, for 15 rows. As you knit the next row, change to No. 5 needles and increase to 76 stitches, spacing the increases evenly across the row. Purl back. Attach black yarn and work the 2 row border, then 4 rows in white, then the rain design as shown on chart. Continue in this rain design until sweater measures 8 1/2 inches from top of ribbing, ending with a purl row. Bind off 5 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows (still working in rain design). Then bind off 1 stitch at beginning of next 4 rows (62 stitches left on needle). Now work 2 rows in white, then follow the chart for the top of the back. When you have completed the 29 rows of Dr. Foster pattern, work 11 rows in white and then take off the 62 stitches on a stitch holder and leave.

FRONTS:

Each front has a 5 stitch border in garter stitch (knitting every row) at front edge. For a boy's sweater, make buttonholes in this border on left front; for a girl's sweater make buttonholes on right front. Make buttonholes as follows: Knit 1st stitch of border, then knit 2 together, yarn over, knit remaining 2 stitches. Next row knit these 5 stitches. Make first buttonhole in 10th row and then every 18th row thereafter. The last buttonhole is made in the ribbing around neck.

For left front, with No. 3 needles and using white yarn, cast on 41 stitches (36 stitches plus 5 stitches for border). Next row knit 5 (for border) purl 2, knit 2, purl 2, knit 2 to end of row. Continue in knit 2, purl 2, ribbing (always knitting the 5 stitch border at front edge) for 15 rows.

After ribbing, change to No. 5 needles. Being sure that garter stitch border is at left edge of work at start of first row (a knit row), continue working all but the 5 border stitches in stockinette stitch and increasing 2 stitches evenly spaced across this stockinette section on first row (to 43 stitches). Purl back. Attach black yarn and continue as for back, working 2 row border, 4 rows in white, then the rain design.

When front and back measure same depth to underarm, ending with a purl row, bind off 5 stitches at beginning of next row and 1 stitch at beginning of next 2 knit rows. You will now have 36 stitches (31 plus 5) on your needle. Continue following chart for left front. On 30th row of design (a purl row) knit the 5 border stitches, then purl 9 stitches, take these 14 stitches off on a stitch holder. Purl to end of row, still following the chart. Decrease 1 stitch at beginning of every purl row thereafter until 18 stitches remain. Work even for last 2 rows of chart. Take these stitches off on a stitch holder and leave.

Make right front to correspond, following chart. Note: the 5 stitches worked in garter stitch for border will come at end of first row of ribbing rather than at beginning. Armhole shaping will come on purl rows and neck shaping on knit rows.

Weave back and fronts together (see General Directions), leaving the center 26 stitches of back on a stitch holder for neck.

NECK:

With No. 3 needles, and right side of work toward you, starting at right front, pick up and knit the 14 stitches left on stitch holder, then 5 stitches over right shoulder, the 26 stitches from back, 5 stitches over left shoulder, and finally the 14 stitches from left front. (64 stitches.) Work in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2, for 6 rows, making a buttonhole over the other buttonholes in 3rd row of ribbing. Bind off.

SLEEVES:

With No. 5 needles, pick up and knit 60 stitches around armhole. Purl back. Then attach black yarn and continue in stockinette stitch in rain pattern, working even for 28 rows. Then decrease 1 stitch at beginning and end of every 6th row until 44 stitches remain. Work 2 rows in white, then 2 row border as shown on chart at base of pattern, and then 2 rows in white. In next row change to No. 3 needles and work in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2, for 15 rows. Bind off.

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