Yellow Duckling Child's Pullover Sweater (Knit)
Directions are given for child's size 4. Changes for sizes 6 and 8 are in parentheses.
- 4-ply knitting worsted weight acrylic yarn
- 10 1/2 (10 1/2-14) oz. Turquoise
- 3 1/2 oz. each of Yellow and White
- Knitting needles size 7 and 9 or size to obtain gauge
- Bobbins, stitch holder, yarn needle
Gauge in stockinette stitch:
4 stitches = 1"
11 rows = 2"
To save time, take time to check gauge!
Chest = 25 (27-29)"
Width of front or back at underarms = 12 1/2 (13 1/2 - 14 1/2)"
Width of sleeve at upper arm = 11 (12-13)"
Notes: When changing colors, pick up new color from under dropped color to twist yarns and prevent holes. Carry color not in use loosely along wrong side of work. Duckling motifs are knit in, using separate bobbins of color for each motif. When carrying yarn in back, twist in every three stitches.
k = knit stitch
p = purl stitch
St st = stockinette stitch
BO = bind off
There's a handy guide to commonly used knitting and crocheting abbreviations in FAQ.
With smaller needles and Yellow, cast on 50 (54-58) stitches.
Row 1: [P 2, k 2] repeat directions in brackets across to last 2 stitches, p 2.
Row 2: [K 2, p 2] repeat directions in brackets across to last 2 stitches, k 2. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until 1 1/2" from beginning, end with wrong side row. Change to larger needles and Turquoise. Work even in St st (k 1 row, p 1 row) for 4 (6-6) rows, end with p row.
Begin where indicated for size being made and continue in St st repeating Rows 1 through 8 using Turquoise and White as show on graph.
Establish Duck Motif
Row 9: With Turquoise, k 3 (5-7), [with a Yellow bobbin, k 8 for duck motif, with a Turquoise bobbin, k 10] work directions in brackets once more 2 times in all, with a Yellow bobbin, k 8 from 3rd duck, with a Turquoise bobbin k 3 (5-7). Keeping in color pattern as set, complete Rows 10 through 32 of chart. Continue with St st and Turquoise only until piece measures 10 (10 1/2-12)" from beginning. Place markers each end of last row for beginning of armholes. Work even until armholes measure 5 1/2 (6-6 1/2)", end with wrong side of row.
Shape shoulders: BO 12(13-14) stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. BO remaining 26 (28-30) stitches for neck.
Front: Work as for back until armholes measure 3 1/2 (4-4 1/2)" from beginning, end with wrong side row.
Next row: Work in pattern on 20 (21-22) stitches, place center 10 (12-14) stitches on holder for neck, join another ball of yarn; complete row. Working both sides at once, at each neck edge BO 3 stitches once, 2 stitches once, then decrease 1 stitch every other row 3 times--12 (13-14) stitches each side. Work even until same length as back to shoulders. BO.
Ribbing: With smaller needles and Yellow, cast on 26 stitches. Work as for back for 1 1/2" from beginning, end with right side row. Change to larger needles and Turquoise. P 1 row, increasing 4 stitches spaced across--30 stitches. Continue in St st for 2 rows more.
Chart: Begin where indicated for sleeve and repeat Rows 1 through 5.
Row 6: With Turquoise only, p across and increase 1 stitch each end--32 stitches. Work even with Turquoise for 2 rows.
Row 9: With Turquoise, k 12, with a Yellow bobbin, k 8 for duck, with a Turquoise bobbin, k 12. Keeping in pattern as set, complete Rows 10 - 32 of chart, then work with Turquoise only and AT THE SAME TIME increase 1 stitch each end every 6th (5th-4th) row 6 (8-10) times--44 (48-52) stitches. Work even until sleeve measures 11 (12-13)" or length desired. BO.
Sew left shoulder.
From right side with smaller needles and Yellow, pick up and k 24 (26-28) stitches across back neck, and 34 (36-38) stitches across front neck, including the stitches on holder--58 (62-66) stitches. Work in ribbing as for back for 1". BO. Sew right shoulder and neckband. Sew sleeves between armhole markers. Sew side and sleeve seams.
Duckling Pullover Chart Key
Each square equals 1 stitch.
V = Yellow
X = White
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of these instructions. We cannot be responsible, however, for variances in individual techniques, human errors or typographical mistakes.