Knitting the Back

• 1). Measure the child's chest to determine size (see Tips for finished chest measurement and size information). Cast on 46 stitches with the smaller needles. For the first row, knit two stitches, purl two stitches and then knit two stitches. Continue knitting and purling two stitches until you reach the end of the row. For the second row, purl two stitches, knit two stitches and purl two stitches. Continue purling and knitting two stitches until you reach the end of the row. Continue to knit and purl, like you did for the first two rows, for four more rows.
  
  
• 2). Transfer the stitches to the larger needles and, beginning with a row in which you knit the first stitch, knit in stockinette stitch until the knitted piece measures 7 inches and you finish a purl row.
  
  
• 3). To shape the armholes, cast off four stitches to begin the next two rows, leaving 38 stitches on the needle. Continue stitching in stockinette stitch until the armholes measure 6 1/2 inches and you finish a purl row.
  
  
• 4). To shape the shoulders, cast off five stitches to begin the next two rows. Cast off another five stitches to begin the next two rows. Transfer the remaining 18 stitches on a stitch holder.
  
  

Knitting the Front

• 1). Repeat Section one, Steps 1 and 2 for the front piece.
  
  
• 2). To shape the armholes, cast off four stitches to begin the next two rows, leaving 38 stitches on the needle. Continue stitching in stockinette stitch until the armholes measure 4 inches and you finish a purl row.
  
  
• 3). To shape the neck, knit 14 stitches, then knit two stitches together. Turn the piece over; transfer the remaining stitches on a spare needle. There should be 15 stitches remaining on the large needle. For the remaining 15 stitches, decrease one stitch at the neck edge for the next two rows. Decrease one stitch on every other row after that until 10 stitches remain. Continue knitting in stockinette until the armhole is the same length as the back piece is from the shoulder, finishing with a purl row.
  
  
• 4). To shape the neck, cast off five stitches to begin the next row and purl one row. Cast off the remaining five stitches. With the back side of the front facing up, transfer the next six stitches from the spare needle onto a stitch holder. Join yarn to knit the remaining stitches. Slip one stitch, knit the next and pass the first over the knit stitch. Continue knitting to finish the row. There should be 15 stitches remaining.
  
  
• 5). Repeat Step 4 for the left side, but reverse the shaping to finish the shoulders.
  
  

Knitting the Sleeves

• 1). Cast 30 stitches onto the smaller needles. For the first row, knit two stitches, purl two stitches and then knit two stitches. Continue knitting and purling two stitches until you reach the end of the row. For the second row, purl two stitches, knit two stitches and purl two stitches. Continue purling and knitting two stitches until you reach the end of the row. Continue to knit and purl, like you did for the first two rows, for eight more rows.
  
  
• 2). Transfer the stitches to the larger needles and knit in stockinette stitch, increasing one stitch at the end of the next row and every second row after, until there are 40 stitches on the needle. Increase one stitch every fourth row until there are 48 stitches on the needle.
  
  
• 3). Continue knitting in stockinette stitch until the sleeve measures 9 inches and you finish a purl row. Place a stitch marker at both ends of the last row and continue knitting for six rows. Cast the stitches off loosely.
  
  
• 4). Repeat Steps 1 through 3 for the second sleeve.
  
  

Finishing the Sweater

• 1). Pin the sweater pieces to an ironing board and cover the pieces with damp pieces of cloth. Let the cloth dry on top of the sweater pieces to block them.
  
  
• 2). To finish the collar, sew the right shoulder seam using the tapestry needle and one of the tails of the yarn. Weave the yarn tail through the stitches to sew.
  
  
• 3). With the right side of the work facing out and using the smaller needles, pick up 13 stitches and knit down the left front neck edge. From the stitch holder in front, knit six stitches. Pick up 13 stitches and knit up the right front neck edge. From the stitch holder in back, knit 18 stitches.
  
  
• 4). Beginning with the second row, knit two stitches and purl two stitches until the row is finished. For the next row, purl two stitches, and knit two stitches until the row is finished. Repeat once more, beginning with the two knit stitches. Cast off, knitting two stitches and purling two stitches.
  
  
• 5). Sew the left shoulder and the collar. Sew in sleeves and sew up the sides and sleeves.