child's easy raglan sweater

[salos]

Hi! For years I've been looking for an easy, nicely shaped sweater pattern for my charity crochet. I found this pattern: http://www.crochetmagazine.com/freepatterndetails.php?id=27 which was kind of close, changed some things, and here is my much easier version. Theirs is a cardigan, mine is a pull over with an opening in the front at the neck.

 

My gauge with Simply Soft and an H hook is 13 dc gives 4", 2 rows is just a tad over 1".

 

Smallest, a 6 month size, 20" chest

(Med. size 6, 25" chest, Largest, size 10, 29 to 30" chest)

 

Chain 42 (48, 58)

 

Row 1: dc in fourth ch and next 5 (6,8) ch. Dc, ch 1, dc in next ch (V made). Dc in next 4 (5,6) ch. Make a v in next ch. Dc in next 14 (16, 20) ch. Make a v in next ch. Dc in next 4 (5,6) ch, v in next ch. Dc in next 7 (8, 10) ch. [44 (50, 60) dc, 4 chain 1 spaces]

 

Row 2: dc in each dc, v in each ch 1 [52 (58, 68 dc), 4 ch 1's]

 

Row 3: dc in each dc, double v (2dc, ch 1, 2dc) in each ch 1 space.

 

Continue in this pattern of single v's in ch 1 spaces all rows except every third row work double v's. Work 8 or 9 (9 or 10, 11 or 12rows). End off, leaving 2' of yarn, neatly loop yarn and save for finishing.

 

First body row: Work 1 dc in chain one space of back underarm, dc across back, dc in chain 1 space, dc in next ch 1 space and dc across front, dc in ch space, join to first dc. ( I work the body circularly, but you can work it however you want to.)

 

Body: Work in dc rows until desired length is obtained.

 

Sleeves: Dc in ch 1, dc across sleeve, dc in ch 1 space. (I work the sleeves straight and sew them up when I'm done, but you can work them circularly if you wish.)

 

Dc until sleeves are desired length. I usually make the sleeves two rows shorter than the body.

 

Cut thread leaving long tail for joining.

 

Front finishing: Sew the front together, leaving 6 or 7 rows at the top of the sweater open. (I leave at least as many open for the infant size as for the larger sizes) Join yarn at back of neck and sc around neck opening.

 

Secure all seams, weave loose threads into garment.

 

Corrections and questions welcome!

[CrochetMonkey]

THANK YOU Salos!

[salos]

You're very welcome, CM! This is such a flexible pattern. I often reduce a few stitches down the sleeves, like not doing the last dc in every third row. It depends on how the sweater progresses.

 

Please let me know what your adaptations are. Mary

[salos]

I've invented a V neck version if anyone wants it. Mary

[Yammy]

Yes please, just a bit easier to get over the head for some kids

 

I'm planning to make this for a friends boy in CAMO... he'll just love it

[salos]

Tell me if this abbreviated pattern works for you. If it doesn't, I can give more detailed instructions.

 

For a V Neck:

 

You make the sweater just as the above, except you start with only one dc on each side in the front. For instance, for a sweater that would normally start with 8 dc, v, 5dc for shoulder, v, 16 dc, v, 5dc, v, 8dc you would instead do 1 dc, v, 5dc, v, 16dc, v, 5dc, v, 1dc. Then you add one stitch at both ends of every row until the front is as wide as the back. In this case it would take 7 more rows, since you started out seven stitches short on both sides. Then you continue the sweater in the same way.

 

As soon as I learn to post pictures, I'll add some here.

[sparkles]

This sounds great, I think I'll try it. How did you learn to design things? I bumble along at it with a try-this-try-that. Hard to fit arms to sweaters thataway!