A new boy sweater knitting pattern, the Mini V-Neck Sweater knitting pattern, is now a free knitting pattern here on the blog. Read all about the inspiration, easy sweater knitting pattern construction and beautiful yarn or purchase an ad free PDF from my shop, Etsy shop or Ravelry shop.
No time right now? Pin this v neck sweater knitting pattern free for later!
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The Inspiration
My boys loved their Paint Colorblock sweaters so much, Basile kept asking for “another mommy-made sweater”. Thinking back on how much Arnaud is wearing his Arnaud’ Classic V-Neck sweater I based off of his most worn sweaters, I took the same approach and looked through the kiddos closets.
Simple classic V neck sweaters is what I dress them up with the most, so a mini V-Neck sweater it is!
The Boy Sweater Knitting Pattern Yarn
Although the cut is a great match for a daddy and me set, I choose to hold Hobbii Extra Fine Merino (sport weight (2)) yarn double, which is equivalent to worsted weight yarn, to make it nice and warm while the Arnaud’s Classic V-Neck Sweater is designed in DK weight yarn as to not be too warm.
The Hobbii Extra Fine Merino is absolutely gorgeous to work with, super soft and has an amazing stitch definition. It also comes in a very wide selection of colors which never hurts.
Downloadable Mini V-Neck Boy Sweater Knitting Pattern
Grab the printable PDF of the boy sweater knitting pattern now in my shop, Etsy shop or on Ravelry.
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Boys Sweater Knitting Pattern Construction
The childrens sweater knitting pattern is knitted from the bottom up. Both front and back panels are worked in one piece knitting in the round until the underarm. The piece is then divided in 2 parts working the front and back panel separately. A few stitches are cast off on each side of the panels for simple square armhole shaping. The back panel is then worked straight. The front panel is divided in 2 parts to shape the V-neck.
Both panels are then sewed together at the shoulders.
Stitches for the sleeves are then picked up, worked flat until the end of the armhole indent, then joined in the round and worked down to the cuffs.
Finally, stitches are picked up to form the V-neck shaping.
Before You Start Your Mini V-Neck Sweater Knitting Pattern Free
Materials
- 3.5 mm / US 4 circular knitting needles.
- 4.5 mm / US 7 circular knitting needles.
- Hobbii Friends Extra Fine Merino held double (fine weight (2), 50g, 100% Wool, 165m/180yds): 3 (3, 3, 4, 4) (5, 5, 7, 7, 9, 10, 11) skeins.
- Tapestry needle to weave in the ends
- 2 Stitch markers
- Stitch holder. I like to use an unused cable from my interchangeable needle set but you can also use a scrap of yarn.
Sizes
The baby/kid sweater knitting pattern is available in the following sizes: 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, 4 years, 6 years, 8 years, 10 years, 12 years, 14 years, and 16 years.
Sizes are noted throughout the pattern in the following way: 3 (6, 12, 18, 24) months (4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16) years.
The pictures illustrate the 24-month and 4-year sizes.
Final garment measurements are:
- Bust circumference: 53 (56, 58, 61, 63) (71, 76, 80, 83, 89, 92, 94) cm / 21 (21.75, 22.75, 24, 25) (28, 29.75, 31.5, 32.75, 35, 36.25, 37.25)”.
- Upper arm circumference: 18 (20, 20, 22, 22) (24, 26, 30, 32, 34, 36, 40) cm / 7 (7.75, 7.75, 8.5, 8.5) (9.5, 10.25, 11.75, 12.5, 13.5, 14.25, 15.75)”.
- Sleeve length: 17.5 (19, 21.5, 22, 22) (29, 29, 35, 37, 40.5, 45, 45) / 7 (7.5, 8.5, 8.75, 8.75) (11.5, 11.5, 13.75, 14.5, 16, 17.75, 17.75)”.
- Length: 25 (27, 29, 31, 32) (37, 42, 46, 51, 55, 58, 64) cm / 9.75 (10.5, 11.5, 12.25, 12.5) (14.5, 16.5, 18, 20, 21.75, 22.75, 25.25)”.
The sweater is designed with a loose fit 8 – 12 cm / 3” – 5” ease at the bust.
Gauge
The gauge for this pattern, in stockinette stitch (4 mm / US 6 knitting needles), is 18 st by 25 rows for a 10 cm by 10 cm square (4” by 4”).
Abbreviations & Instructions
- st = stitch
- k = knit
- p = purl
- k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
Repeat instructions between [] the indicated number of times or until the end of the round/row.
The final number of stitches is indicated at the end of the round/row between < >.
Special Stitches and Techniques
- Stockinette stitch:
- In the round: knit continuously
- Worked flat: alternate knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side of your project.
- Picking up stitches: if you’re not familiar with this technique, this tutorial is very helpful.
- V-neck ribbing: The pattern includes complete instructions for the V-neck but if you’re new to V-neck ribbing shaping, this video tutorial will give you a more visual guide for the technique used here. (note, the number of stitches picked up is very different due to the difference in yarn and V-neck size)
Sweater Construction
The kid’s sweater is knitted from the bottom up. Both front and back panels are worked in one piece knitting in the round until the underarm. The piece is then divided in 2 parts working the front and back panel separately. A few stitches are cast off on each side of the panels for simple square armhole shaping. The back panel is then worked straight. The front panel is divided in 2 parts to shape the V-neck.
Both panels are then sewed together at the shoulders.
Stitches for the sleeves are then picked up, worked flat until the end of the armhole indent, then joined in the round and worked down to the cuffs.
Finally, stitches are picked up to form the V-neck shaping.
The Actual Mini V-Neck Sweater Knitting Pattern Free
With you 3.5 mm / US 4 needles, cast on 96 (100, 104, 110, 114) (128, 136, 144, 150, 160, 166, 170) st and join in the round.
[k1, p1] around for 4 (4, 4, 4, 4) (5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5) cm / 1.5 (1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5) (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2)”.
Switch to 4.5 mm / US 7 needles.
Knit in stockinette until total length is 16 (17, 19, 20, 21) (25, 29, 31, 35, 38, 40, 44) cm / 6.25 (6.75, 7.5, 7.75. 8.25) (9.75, 11.5, 12.25, 13.75, 15, 15.75. 17.25)” (including ribbed edge).
Split Front and Back
Cast off 6 (6, 6, 7, 7) (8, 8, 8, 9, 8, 9, 9) st, knit 42 (44, 46, 48, 50) (56, 60, 64, 66, 72, 74, 76), cast off 6 (6, 6, 7, 7) (8, 8, 8, 9, 8, 9, 9), knit 42 (44, 46, 48, 50) (56, 60, 64, 66, 72, 74, 76).
You will now knit each side separately. Leave first half of the stitches on a stitch holder (front panel). Make sure you secure them.
Back Panel
Work with the other half of the stitches (back panel) in stockinette (alternating knit and purl rows) until you reach 9 (10, 10, 11, 11) (12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20) cm / 3.5 (4, 4, 4.5, 4.5) (4.75, 5, 6, 6.25, 6.75, 7, 7.75)” from separation.
Cast off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Front Panel
Go back to the front panel stitches, join yarn starting on a RS row.
Tip: When joining yarn leave a tail you’ll use to sew the sleeve.
Knit 0 (1, 1, 2, 2) (2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8) cm / 0 (0.5, 0.5, 0.75, 0.75) (0.75, 1.25, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.25, 3.25)” in stockinette stitch.
Divide stitches in half, you’ll work each side separately to form the V neck.
Split for V-Neck
Add a st marker in the middle, after 21 (22, 23, 24, 25) (28, 30, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38),
[Decrease: knit until last 2 st before marker, k2tog
Purl across] 11 (11, 11, 11, 11) (11, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13) times
Knit in stockinette until total length from armhole is 9 (10, 10, 11, 11) (12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20) cm / 3.5 (4, 4, 4.5, 4.5) (4.75, 5, 6, 6.25, 6.75, 7, 7.75)”.
Cast off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Join yarn back at the v neck
[Decrease: ssk, knit across.
Purl across] 11 (11, 11, 11, 11) (11, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13) times
Knit in stockinette until total length from armhole is 9 (10, 10, 11, 11) (12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20) cm / 3.5 (4, 4, 4.5, 4.5) (4.75, 5, 6, 6.25, 6.75, 7, 7.75)”.
Cast off and leave a long tail for sewing.
V-Neck
Before knitting the V neck, sew shoulders together.
Pick up 72 (72, 72, 72, 72) (74, 76, 86, 86, 88, 88, 88) st evenly around the neck opening (approximately 1 st per row / st around). Place a stitch marker at the V neck central stitch.
Neck Row: [K1, p1] until st before marked st, slip next 2 st as if to k2tog, make next st in pattern, pass first of the sl stitches over those 2 stitches, continue [k1, p1] in pattern until end of round. <71 (71, 71, 71, 71) (73, 75, 85, 85, 87, 87, 87) st>
Work Neck Row three more times.
Cast off in pattern.
Sleeves
Pick up 34 (38, 38, 42, 42) (46, 48, 56, 58, 62, 66, 74) stitches around the armhole (ignore the indent). Leave a long tail to sew the indent.
Knit in stockinette stitch (in rows back and forth) for 8 (8, 8, 10, 10) (11, 11, 11, 12, 11, 12, 12) rows (you will seam these to the indent later).
Join in the round and knit in stockinette.
[Knit 4.5 (3, 3.5, 3, 3) (3, 3, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2) cm / 1.75 (1.25, 1.5. 1.25, 1.25) (1.25, 1.25, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0.75)”
Decrease: k1, k2tog, knit until last 3st, ssk, k1] 3 (5, 5, 6, 6) (8, 8, 12, 13, 14, 16, 20) times. <28 (28, 28, 30, 30) (30, 32, 32, 32, 34, 34, 34) st>
Switch to 3.5 mm / US 4 knitting needles.
[k1, p1] around for 4 (4, 4, 4, 4) (5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5) cm / 1.5 (1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5) (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2)”.
Cast off and weave in the end.
Sew the sleeve to the indent and weave in all ends.
Repeat for the other sleeve.
Blocking
You’re done with the knitting part. Make sure to weave in all the ends.
To make your stitch pattern even prettier, help straighten your edges and flatten the corners, block your project.
Don’t skip this step as it can make a huge difference. Read my detailed tutorial on why block, how-to, and all my tips and tricks if you need help.
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