Dinosaur Jumper Knitting Pattern

An upbeat, modern knitted jumper with a friendly intarsia dinosaur across the chest. Written for several kids and adult sizes, worked flat and seamed with simple intarsia panel. Techniques used: stockinette, 1x1 rib, increases/decreases, intarsia colorwork, optional i-cord spikes. Pattern assumes basic familiarity with intarsia; duplicate stitch notes included as an alternative.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

Children 1-2 (3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10) corresponding to finished chest: 20 (22, 24, 26, 28) inches / 51 (56, 61, 66, 71) cm
Adults XS (S, M, L, XL): 34 (38, 42, 46, 50) inches / 86 (97, 107, 117, 127) cm
Body length (to underarm): children approx 10 (11, 12, 13, 14) in / 25 (28, 30.5, 33, 35.5) cm; adults: XS-S: 16 in / 41 cm, M-L: 17 in / 43 cm, XL: 18 in / 46 cm

Yarn

DK / Light Worsted weight yarn. Sample uses a smooth DK in high-contrast colors for clear intarsia. Gauge and needle sizes given below assume DK.

Yarn weight: DK (Light Worsted) approx 225 yd / 205 m per 100 g skein
Suggested fibre: 100% wool or wool blend for good stitch definition. Machine-washable blends are fine for kids.
Estimated yardage (Main color / Contrast dino color) per size: 1-2: 250 yd / 230 m main + 50 yd / 46 m contrast; 3-4: 300 yd / 275 m + 75 yd / 69 m; 5-6: 350 yd / 320 m + 100 yd / 92 m; 7-8: 400 yd / 365 m + 100 yd / 92 m; 9-10: 450 yd / 411 m + 125 yd / 114 m; XS: 500 yd / 457 m + 150 yd / 137 m; S: 600 yd / 549 m + 150 yd / 137 m; M: 700 yd / 640 m + 200 yd / 183 m; L: 800 yd / 732 m + 225 yd / 206 m; XL: 900 yd / 823 m + 250 yd / 229 m.

Needles

All needle sizes listed as US / UK old / Metric.

Ribbing: US 5 / UK 9 / 3.75 mm (use smaller needles for a tidy 1x1 rib)
Main body: US 6 / UK 8 / 4.0 mm (for stated gauge)
Optional slightly firmer fabric for more defined colorwork: US 7 / UK 7 / 4.5 mm (use if your gauge is tight)
Set of double-pointed needles or short circulars for neck and small i-cord work: match ribbing size (US 5 / UK 9 / 3.75 mm)

Gauge

22 sts and 28 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette on US 6 / 4.0 mm. Always swatch in pattern (stockinette) after blocking to match gauge. If you knit tighter or looser change needle size accordingly.

Notions

Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends
Stitch holders or waste yarn
Extra bobbins/clips for intarsia or separate small balls of contrast color
Optional scrap yarn for provisional cast-on if you prefer a seamless neckline

Abbreviations

k = knit
p = purl
st(s) = stitch(es)
RS = right side
WS = wrong side
k2tog = knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
m1 = make one (lift bar between stitches and knit through back loop)
yo = yarn over
MC = main color
CC = contrast color (dinosaur)

Notes

This is a classic top-down measurement: work the back and two front panels flat and seam at shoulders and sides. Sleeves are set-in and worked flat then seamed.
Dinosaur is worked in intarsia on the front panel. For smaller sizes the intarsia panel is narrower; for adults it widens. Where numbers differ you will see instructions like: work to center marker then start intarsia panel across next N sts.
If you prefer, you can knit the jumper in MC only and embroider the dinosaur with duplicate stitch afterwards. Duplicate stitch instructions are given after the intarsia notes.

Rib and Cast-on

Cast on sts to match size. Suggested cast-on numbers (approximate; final stitch counts below are the pattern numbers you will follow):

1-2: cast on 60 sts; 3-4: 66 sts; 5-6: 72 sts; 7-8: 78 sts; 9-10: 84 sts; XS: 100 sts; S: 110 sts; M: 120 sts; L: 130 sts; XL: 140 sts.
Work 1x1 rib (k1, p1) for 2 in / 5 cm on smaller sizes and 2.5 in / 6.5 cm on adult sizes. Change to main needle if needed for gauge.

Back

Work back in stockinette after ribbing.

Row 1 (RS): k across
Row 2 (WS): p across
Continue until back measures: children 8 (9, 10, 11, 12) in / 20 (23, 25, 28, 30) cm from cast-on edge to underarm; adults XS-S: 14 in / 36 cm, M-L: 15 in / 38 cm, XL: 16 in / 41 cm.
Shape armholes: Bind off 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) sts at beginning of next 2 rows, then decrease 1 st each side every other row twice. Continue straight until armhole depth = children 5 (5.5, 6, 6.5, 7) in / 13 (14, 15, 16.5, 18) cm; adults: XS-S 8 in / 20 cm, M-L 8.5 in / 22 cm, XL 9 in / 23 cm.
Bind off remaining shoulder sts loosely or place on holder for seaming per shoulder shaping below.

Front with Intarsia Dinosaur

Front is worked same as back until start of armholes and until you reach the row where the dinosaur motif begins (about 2 in / 5 cm below the beginning of the armhole for kids; 3 in / 7.5 cm for adults). At that point work intarsia chart across the center panel as indicated.

General instructions: Place center marker at midpoint of front. Work left side in MC to marker, then work intarsia panel across next N sts, then work right side in MC. Use a separate ball or bobbin of CC for each uninterrupted section of CC. Twist yarns at color changes to avoid holes.

Intarsia panel widths (number of stitches across center): children: 24 (26, 28, 30, 32) sts; adults: XS 34, S 36, M 40, L 44, XL 48 sts. If your stitch count differs, adapt the panel width so motif remains centered.

Dinosaur Chart (small, scalable)

Legend: . = MC, X = CC (dinosaur)
Row20: ..............XX..............
Row19: .............XXXX.............
Row18: ............XXXXXX............
Row17: ............XXXXXX............
Row16: ...........XXXXXXXX...........
Row15: ..........XXXXXXXXXX..........
Row14: .........XXXXXXXXXXXX.........
Row13: ........XXXX..XXXXXX..........
Row12: .......XXXX....XXXXXX.........
Row11: ......XXXXX.....XXXXXX........
Row10: .....XXXXXX......XXXXX........
Row9: ......XXXXX.......XXXX........
Row8: .....XXXXX........XXXX........
Row7: ....XXXXX.........XXX.........
Row6: ...XXXXXX.........XXX.........
Row5: ..XXXXXXX.........XX..........
Row4: .XXXXXXXX......................
Row3: .XXXXXXX.......................
Row2: ..XXXXX........................
Row1: ...XXX.........................

Notes on chart: This is a centered small dinosaur motif 20 rows high and (for this chart) 30 sts wide; you will place it across the intarsia panel area. For larger adult panels repeat or widen edges of the chart proportionally or use duplicate stitch to expand.

Working the chart

RS rows read right to left, WS rows read left to right (reverse the chart if you prefer reading every row in the same direction).
When changing colors in intarsia, twist the new color under the old where they meet to prevent holes. Do not carry CC across more than a few sts; start a new bobbin or ball when CC needs to be reintroduced later in the row.
Keep floats minimal by using separate bobbins for each block of CC. For narrow spikes or plates, you can carry CC behind a few MC stitches if you prefer stranded knitting on the WS only, but intarsia is recommended.

Sleeves

Cast on sleeve sts to match armhole depth and cuff: suggested cast-on for small sizes 32 (34, 36, 38, 40) sts; adults: 44, 48, 52, 56, 60. Work 1x1 rib for 2 in / 5 cm, then change to stockinette and increase 1 st each end every 6th row until sleeve width matches underarm measurement (approx half the front+back underarm circumference divided by 2 minus seam allowances). Continue to sleeve cap shaping: bind off 3 (3, 4...) at beginning of next 2 rows then decrease 1 st each side every other row until cap measures approx 4.5 in / 11.5 cm for children, 7-8 in / 18-20 cm for adults. Match shaping to armhole depth when seamed.

Neckline and Finishing

Join shoulder seams with mattress stitch, leaving neck open.
If you left stitches on holders for the neck, pick them up with US 5 / 3.75 mm and work 1x1 rib for 10-12 rows (kids) or 12-16 rows (adults). Bind off in rib.
Seam sleeves into armholes, then seam side and sleeve seams.
Weave in all ends carefully, especially intarsia ends - twist and knot where needed behind color blocks to secure.

Optional 3D Spikes (i-cord)

To add a row of spikes along the dinosaur back: with CC or a third color, make short i-cords, stuff lightly or leave flat, and sew into position. I-cord (use double-pointed needles matching ribbing): cast on 3 sts, knit across, slide sts to other end of needle without turning, pull yarn across, repeat for 6-8 rows, bind off. Sew spikes to top edge following chart placement.

Duplicate Stitch Alternative

If you prefer to avoid intarsia, knit the whole front in MC and embroider the dinosaur using duplicate stitch. Lay out the motif using the same chart: each X = duplicate stitch with CC over one MC stitch. This is great for color control and minimizes ends during knitting. Use a sharp tapestry needle and secure each duplicate stitch by weaving the tail behind the stitches.

Blocking and Care

Block gently to finished measurements, taking care not to over-stretch the intarsia panel. Keep the dinosaur shaped naturally.
Care: follow yarn care instructions. Preferably wash gently or use machine-washable yarn for kids.

Tips & Troubleshooting

Keep CC bobbins organized; label them to avoid tangles.
If intarsia holes appear at color joins, be sure to twist the two yarns where they meet before knitting the first stitch in the new color.
For a smoother neckband, pick up stitches evenly around the neck: pick up 1 st for every two rows along the neck edge (adjust if it puckers).

Support & License

Pattern copyright: your personal and small business use is permitted; do not resell the pattern. For pattern support email team@verde.uk. For more patterns and community, visit https://purljam.verde.uk and follow #purljam on socials.

Happy knitting! If you want this chart adapted for more sizes or to be turned into a crochet version, please ask specifically for "crochet dinosaur jumper" or "larger chart" and include the target chest measurement.

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