General Directions
TO WORK WITH TWO COLORS: When you attach the second color, leave an end of several inches which can be woven in at the back of the work when the sweater is done. When you change colors, always twist the second color around the first, to prevent a hole in the work. Carry the yarn not being used loosely, at the back, and if you must carry it for more than four stitches, bring it up and over the yarn being used - to prevent a long loop on the back of the work. If you look ahead to see where the pattern yarn is next needed, you can avoid unnecessary carrying of the yarn back and forth.
The patterns are all worked in stockinette stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row). Each square on the charts represents 1 stitch. Usually you begin reading the chart at the lower right-hand corner on a knit row and you read from right to left. On the next row, a purl row, read the chart from left to right. (However, to reverse a pattern, you start at the left side on a knit row. See directions for individual sweaters.)
THE GAUGE is important. Work a small piece with the yarn and needles you intend to use. Compare it with the gauge given. If your work does not correspond, adjust by using larger or smaller needles, as necessary. You can tell the exact size your sweater will be by dividing the number of stitches at the widest part by the number of stitches per inch. Adjust yarn and needle size to the proper size for your child.
TO CHANGE SIZES: The sweaters can be made smaller by using finer yarn and/or finer needles.
TO WEAVE SHOULDER SEAMS: Put the stitches of front and back on two needles. Hold the needles side by side, with knitted sides outside. Attach matching yarn to back piece at right-hand edge, and using a yarn or tapestry needle (keeping the yarn with which you are working under the knitting needles) *insert this needle in the first stitch on the front needle from the front of the stitch (as if to knit) and let this stitch slip onto the tapestry needle. Then insert the needle in the second stitch on the front needle from back to front (as if to purl) and keep this second stitch on the knitting needle. Pull yarn through both stitches. Now insert needle in first stitch on back knitting needle as if to purl and let this stitch slip onto the tapestry needle. Then insert needle in second stitch on back needle as if to knit, leaving this stitch on needle. Pull yarn through both these stitches.* Repeat from * to * until all the stitches are used up. Be sure not to pull the yarn too tight, but keep the tension the same as the knitting.
TO FINISH: Weave loose ends in at the back of the work. Baste seams, matching patterns. Then sew in running back stitch. Allow 1 stitch of knitting for the seam. It is better to press the sweater with a damp cloth before sewing up side seams.
