purlJam

Island Yoke Pullover Beginner Top-Down Toddler Sweater

Sizes 2T (only size written; to fit chest 23" / 58 cm) Finished chest circumference: 26¼" (66.5 cm) with approx 3" positive ease Finished length (shoulder to hem): 14½" (37 cm) Sleeve length (underarm to cuff): 10" (25.5 cm)

Yarn Worsted weight (category 4), soft and machine-washable (superwash wool, wool/acrylic, or cotton blend recommended).

• Main Color (MC – grey or beige): 350 yd (320 m)
• Contrast Color 1 (CC1 – green): 70 yd (64 m)
• Contrast Color 2 (CC2 – orange): 50 yd (46 m) Sample uses approximately 175 g MC + 35 g CC1 + 25 g CC2.

Needles

• US 6 (4 mm) 16" circular and set of DPNs (or magic loop), for ribbing
• US 8 (5 mm) 16" and 24" circular and set of DPNs (or magic loop), for body and colorwork
• Or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions Stitch markers (4 different colors/types helpful), stitch holders or waste yarn, tapestry needle, scissors

Gauge 20 sts and 28 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on larger needles, blocked. Please swatch in the round (including a small colorwork section) and launder as you will the finished sweater.

Abbreviations (US) beg – beginning
BO – bind off
BOR – beginning of round
CC – contrast color
CO – cast on
dec – decrease
DPN(s) – double-pointed needle(s)
inc – increase
k – knit
k2tog – knit 2 together
m – marker
M1L – make 1 left (lift bar between sts from front to back, knit through back loop)
M1R – make 1 right (lift bar between sts from back to front, knit through front loop)
MC – main color
p – purl
pm – place marker
rnd(s) – round(s)
RS – right side
sm – slip marker
ssk – slip, slip, knit (slip 1 knitwise, slip 1 knitwise, knit both through back loop)
st(s) – stitch(es)
St st – stockinette stitch
WS – wrong side

Pattern Notes

• Worked seamless from the top down with a circular yoke.
• Colorwork is simple stranded knitting (hold unused yarn loosely across back; catch floats every 4–5 sts). Beginner tip: keep stitches spread on the needle so floats stay elastic.
• Change to longer circular or DPNs as needed when circumference grows.
• All measurements given in inches first (cm in parentheses).
• Soft, machine-washable yarn is essential for children’s wear.

Colorwork Chart (8-st repeat)
Work from right to left on every round.
Key: □ = MC (grey/beige) ■ = CC1 (green) ▲ = CC2 (orange)

Rnd 8: □ ■ □ ■ □ ■ □ ■
Rnd 7: ■ □ ▲ □ ■ □ ▲ □
Rnd 6: □ ▲ □ ▲ □ ▲ □ ▲
Rnd 5: ▲ □ ■ □ ▲ □ ■ □
Rnd 4: □ ■ □ ■ □ ■ □ ■
Rnd 3: ■ □ ▲ □ ■ □ ▲ □
Rnd 2: □ ▲ □ ▲ □ ▲ □ ▲
Rnd 1: ▲ □ ■ □ ▲ □ ■ □

(Chart is worked bottom-up; Rnd 1 is the first colorwork round.)

Yoke With smaller needles and MC, CO 64 sts. Join to work in the round being careful not to twist; pm for BOR. Work k1, p1 ribbing for 1¼" (3 cm).

Change to larger needles. Knit 2 rnds even in MC.

Increase Rnd 1: *K2, M1L; rep from * to end. (96 sts)
Knit 3 rnds even.

Increase Rnd 2: *K3, M1L; rep from * to end. (128 sts)
Knit 3 rnds even.

Increase Rnd 3: *K4, M1L; rep from * to end. (160 sts)
Knit 2 rnds even.

Join CC1 and CC2. Work Chart Rnds 1–8 once (8-st repeat fits 160 sts exactly: 20 repeats).
(While working chart, carry yarns loosely.)

After Chart Rnd 8, break CC1 and CC2. Continue with MC only.

Increase Rnd 4: *K5, M1L; rep from * to end. (192 sts)
Knit 2 rnds even.

Increase Rnd 5: *K12, M1L; rep from * to end. (208 sts)
(6 sts remain after last full repeat; k those 6 sts without increase.)
Knit even until yoke measures 5½" (14 cm) from CO edge.

Divide Body and Sleeves Next rnd (setup): K30 (left half back), place next 46 sts on holder for left sleeve, CO 8 sts using backward-loop method for underarm, k60 (front), place next 46 sts on holder for right sleeve, CO 8 sts for underarm, k30 (right half back) to BOR. (132 body sts)

Body Work even in St st (knit every rnd) on these 132 sts until body measures 8" (20.5 cm) from underarm. Change to smaller needles. Work k1, p1 ribbing for 1½" (4 cm). BO loosely in rib.

Sleeves (make 2 alike) Place 46 held sleeve sts onto larger DPNs (or circular for magic loop).
With MC and RS facing, beg at center of underarm CO sts, pick up and knit 4 sts, k46 sleeve sts, pick up and knit 4 sts across remaining underarm. (54 sts)
Pm for BOR at center of underarm.

Work even in St st for 1" (2.5 cm).

Sleeve decrease rnd: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (2 sts dec)
Rep decrease rnd every 8th rnd 5 more times. (42 sts)

Continue even until sleeve measures 8½" (21.5 cm) from underarm. Change to smaller needles. Work k1, p1 ribbing for 1½" (4 cm). BO loosely in rib.

Finishing Weave in all ends securely on WS, taking care to close any small gaps at underarms with mattress stitch or duplicate stitch if needed. Block gently to measurements by soaking in lukewarm water with wool wash, rolling in towel, and laying flat to dry. Do not stretch colorwork section aggressively. Final dimensions after blocking should read approximately:

• Chest: 26¼" (66.5 cm)
• Yoke depth: 5½" (14 cm)
• Body length from underarm: 9½" (24 cm) including rib
• Sleeve from underarm: 10" (25.5 cm) including cuff

Inline Math Validation

• Neck CO: 64 sts
• After Inc 1: 64 × 1.5 = 96 ✓
• After Inc 2: 96 + 32 = 128 ✓
• After Inc 3: 128 + 32 = 160 ✓
• Chart: 160 ÷ 8 = 20 repeats exact ✓
• After Inc 4: 160 + 32 = 192 ✓
• After Inc 5: 192 + 16 = 208 ✓
• Divide: 208 – 46 – 46 + 8 + 8 = 132 body sts ✓
• 132 sts ÷ 5 sts/inch = 26.4" chest ✓
• Sleeve start: 46 + 8 = 54 sts ✓
• Sleeve decs: 54 – (2 × 6) = 42 sts ✓

Enjoy your classic island pullover—soft, washable, and just right for a 2-year-old!