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ENTIRE DIGITALLY RESTORED LEAFLET IN .pdf FORMAT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

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.

Knitting Patterns

Pussy Cat, Size 6 months

BACK: Using background color, cast on 69 stitches and follow chart for back. On 5th row attach pattern yarn and continue to follow chart.

At the beginning of 45th and 46th rows, bind off 5 stitches for armhole. Then bind off 1 stitch at beginning of next 10 rows (see chart). Work straight in pattern on remaining 49 stitches for 18 rows. Then knit (or purl, as necessary) 16 stitches, put these on stitch holder. Bind off next 17 stitches. Work remaining 16 stitches and leave these on a stitch holder, too. (More)

Little Pony, Size 6 months to 1 year

FRONT: With No. 3 needles and background color, cast on 64 stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2, for 14 rows. Change to No. 4 needles, and work in stockinette stitch for rest of front, increase 1 stitch each end of needle on first row. On next knit row, attach gray yarn and follow chart. When you have completed the pattern, break gray yarn, leaving several inches for finishing. (More)

Three Ships, Size 1

FRONT: With No. 3 needles and white yarn, cast on 56 stitches and work in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2, for 15 rows. On next row, change to No. 4 needles and as you knit across increase 3 stitches evenly spaced across row (to 59 stitches). Purl back. Attach blue yarn and follow chart for pattern.

When work measures 5 1/2 inches above ribbing, bind off 5 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. Work even (being sure to watch position of polka dots) for 16 rows. (More)

Three Blind Mice, Size 1 - 2

BACK AND FRONT: With number 2 needles and white yarn, cast on 68 stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2, for 16 rows. Change to No. 3 needles and knit next row, increasing 1 stitch (to 69 stitches). Beginning with a purl row work next 3 rows in stockinette stitch in white. Next row (a knit row) attach gray yarn and follow chart. Attach red yarn at beginning of second row (a purl row) and continue to follow chart. Break red yarn and then knit next row. Break gray yarn. (More)

Simple Simon, Size 2 - 3

BACK: With No. 3 needles and brown yarn, cast on 64 stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2, for 16 rows. Change to No. 5 needles and knit 1 row, purl 1 row. Continuing in stockinette stitch, on next row attach tan yarn and knit 1 brown, 1 tan, 1 brown, 1 tan, etc., across the row, ending with knit 1 tan. Next row purl 1 brown, 1 tan, 1 brown, 1 tan, etc., across the row, ending with purl 1 tan. Next row knit 3 brown, 1 tan, 3 brown, 1 tan, etc., across the row, ending with knit 1 tan. (More)

Hey Diddle-Diddle, Size 2 - 3

BACK: With brown yarn, using No. 3 needles, cast on 52 stitches and work in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2, for 12 rows. In the next row (a knit row) change to No. 5 needles and increase to 59 stitches by knitting in front and back of every 7th stitch across the row. Purl back. Attach tan yarn and follow chart for Pattern No. 1. When you have finished this pattern, break tan yarn, leaving several inches for finishing. Work even in stockinette stitch until work measures about 8 inches from top of ribbing or desired length to underarm. (More)

Jack Be Nimble, Size 3 - 4

FRONT: With No. 3 needles and green yarn cast on 62 stitches and work in ribbing of knit 1, purl 1, for 14 rows. Change to No. 5 needles and work in stockinette stitch. Work 2 rows in green, then attach white yarn and work pattern as indicated on chart. When you have completed the pattern, break white yarn, leaving several inches for finishing. Continue in stockinette stitch until work measures 7 inches above ribbing or desired length to underarm. Bind off 3 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows and then decrease 1 stitch each end of needle on next, 2 knit rows (52 stitches left). (More)

Bobby Shaftoe, Size 4 - 5

BACK: With No. 3 needles and blue yarn, cast on 68 stitches and work in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2, for 16 rows, increasing 1 stitch at end of last row to 69 stitches. Change to No. 5 needles and work balance of back in stockinette stitch. Work two rows, then on next row, a knit row, attach white yarn and follow chart for back. When you have finished the pattern, break off white yarn, leaving several inches for finishing.

Work balance of back in blue, working even until work measures 7 1/2 inches above ribbing or desired length to underarm. Shape armhole by binding off 5 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows and then decreasing 1 stitch at beginning of every row until there are 53 stitches left. Work even until armhole measures 4 1/2 inches straight up. (More)

Trip and Go, Size 5 - 6

BACK: With No. 3 needles and scarlet yarn, cast on 72 stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2, for 15 rows. Change to No. 5 needles and work in stockinette stitch for 50 rows or desired length to underarm ending with a purl row. Bind off 4 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows and then decrease 1 stitch each end of needle on next 4 knit rows (56 stitches left). Attach gray yarn and follow chart for back, starting to read at lower righthand corner on a knit row. Use gray yarn for background and scarlet for design. After figures are completed, break scarlet yarn and work 8 rows even in gray. (More)

Butterfly, Butterfly, Size 5 - 6

FRONT and BACK: (Both are made the same.) With No. 3 needles and gray yarn, cast on 69 stitches and work in ribbing of knit 1, purl 1, for 12 rows. Change to No. 5 needles and work even in stockinette stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) for 60 rows or desired length to underarm. On the next knit row attach black yarn and follow chart as shown for front and back. On the next, knit row, break off gray yarn (leaving several inches for finishing) and attach yellow yarn for background. Continue to follow the chart, also decreasing 1 stitch at beginning of every row, as shown, until you have 33 stitches left. Take these off on a stitch holder and leave. (More)

Dr. Foster, Size 5 - 6

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. (More)

Mother Goose Sweaters
Volume 50
Plays Inc
Original Copyright 1950

Eleven fun Mother Goose nursery rhymes designed into children's sweater knitting patterns.