Carousel

There is something a bit retro and playful about this one, like the carousels of our childhoods! You can just relax and enjoy the ride! Carousel is a very simple unisex cardigan that knits up in no time. Perfect to use small amount of leftover yarn, and to have fun with color! Two versions can be knit from this pattern: a short sleeve or a long sleeve version. Adorable pockets can be worked too. This cardigan is knit seamlessly from the top down, with the front yoke worked in garter stitch. In the short-sleeve version, the sleeve stitches are bound off to form cap sleeves, then the back and fronts are worked flat in one piece to work the body of the cardigan to the hem. In the long-sleeve version, stitches for the sleeves are put on hold while the body of the cardigan is worked, then they are put back on needles and worked in the round. Stitches are picked up along each front edge of cardigan to form button bands. Optional pockets can be worked; their linings require some seaming.

Gauge: 18 sts x 26 rows = 4 inches or 10cm in stockinette stitch using larger needles, after blocking; 18 sts x 40 rows (i.e. 20 ridges) = 4 inches or 10cm in garter stitch using smaller needles, after blocking

Sizes: 3mo (6mo, 12mo, 18mo // 2yo, 4yo, 6yo, 8yo). To fit chest: 16 (17, 18, 19 // 21, 23, 25, 26.5) inches or 40.5 (43, 45.5, 48.5 // 53.5, 58.5, 63.5, 67.5) cm

Finished Measurements: Garment chest: 18 (18.75, 20.5, 21.5 // 24, 26, 27.75, 28.5) inches or 45.5 (47.5, 52, 54.5 // 61, 66, 70.5, 72.5) cm

Materials Used: 

• For short sleeve version: approximately 150 (200, 225, 250 // 275, 350, 425, 475) yds or 137 (183, 206, 229 // 251, 320, 389, 434) meters of worsted to aran weight yarn
• For long sleeve version: approximately 200 (250, 275, 300 // 350, 425, 500, 600) yds or 183 (229, 251, 274 // 320, 389, 457, 549) meters of worsted to aran weight yarn
• Each Contrasting Color, for both versions: Approximately 10 to 15 yds or 9-14 meters

Needle Size:

• US 8 or 5mm needle (or size needed to match stockinette stitch gauge); 1 set of matching dpns for sleeves
• US 6 or 4mm needle (or size needed to match garter stitch gauge); 1 set of matching dpns for sleeve cuffs

Pattern Includes: 8 sizes; Also includes: 2 sleeve lengths and optional pockets, detailed written instructions, schematic

Skill Level: Intermediate. Skills required: casting on, knitting, purling, increasing, decreasing, knitting in the round (only for long-sleeve version), picking up stitches, binding off