This field & sky pullover sweater is knit flat, then adorned with your favourite farm animal buttons. The two-colour design allows you to personalise your creation without the effort of intarsia or stranded colourwork.

I chose cow, chicken, rabbit, and carrot buttons, but you could select buttons depicting whatever the wearer is fond of. The sleeve length should land just below the elbow, keeping it from being dragged through ketchup, and letting a long-sleeve shirt layer catch the dirt instead. The wide-neck opening means no struggling. The sample shown was knit by Clare Hamill.

Notes: DK in two colours is used for this sweater.

Materials for largest size

246 yards (100 grams) Dublin dye merino DK or equivalent weight yarn (CC - green)

247 yards (102 grams) Dublin dye merino DK or equivalent weight yarn (MC - blue)

4.5mm knitting needles, this item is knit flat so you may use whatever type of knitting needle you prefer – straight or circular.

Gauge: 21sts x 29 rows per 10x10cm (4x4in)

  • • Sizes: Preemie, 0 to six months, six to 12 months, 12 to 24 months, two to three years, and four to six years, as shown on Liam.

  • Final garment measurements

  • • Preemie: Torso circumference = 14”; length from neckline to hip = 8.5”; armpit to below elbow = 3.5”.
  • • 0 to six months: Torso circumference = 18”; length from neckline to hip = 9.5”; armpit to below elbow = 4.5”.
  • • Six to 12 months: Torso circumference = 20”; length from neckline to hip = 10”; armpit to below elbow = 4.5”.
  • • 12 to 24 months: Torso circumference = 22”; length from neckline to hip = 12”; armpit to below elbow = 5.5”.
  • • Two to three years: Torso circumference = 24”; length from neckline to hip = 13”; armpit to below elbow = 6.5”.
  • • Four to six years: Torso circumference = 29”; length from neckline to hip = 15”; armpit to below elbow = 8.5”.
  • • CO 35 (45, 50, 55, 60, 72) stitches with DK weight yarn (CC) on 4.5mm (US6) knitting needles.
  • • Edge rows 1 and odds (RS): *K1, P1*.
  • • Edge rows 2 and evens (WS): *P1, K1*.
  • • Do this for 1/2 inch.

  • Main stitch pattern

  • • Right side: Knit all.
  • • Wrong side: K2, Purl until 2sts remain, K2.
  • • This for 16 (42, 50, 64, 72, 74) rows with CC.
  • • Switch to MC on wrong side row (these slipped stitches will give the appearance of tall grass):
  • • Transition row one (WS) CC on needles, but working with MC: *P1, sl1*.
  • • Transition row two (RS) working with MC: *sl1, P3*.
  • • Transition row three (WS): K2, Purl until 2sts remain, K2.

  • Time to add the sleeves

  • • CO 17 (22, 22, 27, 32, 42) stitches at the start of the row then knit until the end of the row then CO 17 (22, 22, 27, 32, 42) stitches. You are now working 69 (89, 94, 109, 124, 156) stitches.

  • Main stitch pattern

  • • Wrong side: K2, Purl until 2sts remain, K2.
  • • Right side: Knit all.
  • • This for 10 (20, 22, 22, 22, 36) rows with MC.

  • Neck opening time

  • • Neck opening row 1 (RS): Knit 20 (27, 27, 33, 40, 54) stitches then bind off 29 (35, 40, 43, 44, 48) stitches then Knit 20 (27, 27, 33, 40, 54).
  • • Neck opening row 2 (WS): Knit 20 (27, 27, 33, 40, 54) each side, using separate ends of the MC yarn.
  • • Neck opening row 3 (RS): Knit 20 (27, 27, 33, 40, 54) each side, using separate ends of the MC yarn.
  • • Neck opening row 4 (WS): Knit 20 (27, 27, 33, 40, 54) stitches then cast on 29 (35, 40, 43, 44, 48) stitches then Knit 20 (27, 27, 33, 40, 54) stitches (rejoining with original strand).

  • Main stitch pattern

  • • Right side: Knit all.
  • • Wrong side: K2, Purl until 2sts remain, K2.
  • • This for 10 (20, 22, 22, 22, 36) rows with MC.

  • Ending the sleeves

  • • Bind off 17 (22, 22, 27, 32, 42), knit 35 (45, 50, 55, 60, 72), bind off 17 (22, 22, 27, 32, 42).
  • • Switch to CC (these slipped stitches will give the appearance of tall grass).
  • • Transition row 1 (WS) MC on needles, but working with CC: *P1, sl*.
  • • Transition row two (RS) working with CC: *sl, P3*.
  • • Transition row three (WS): K2, Purl until 2sts remain, K2.

  • Main stitch pattern

  • • Right side: Knit all.
  • • Wrong side: K2, Purl until 2sts remain, K2.
  • • This for 16 (42, 50, 64, 72, 74) rows with CC.
  • • Edge rows one and odds (RS): *K1, P1*.
  • • Edge rows two and evens (WS): *P1, K1*.
  • • Do this for 1/2 inch.
  • • Bind off all stitches.
  • • Seam the under sides of sleeves and sides of waist together. Wash. Block.

  • GLOSSARY

  • CO = Cast on. K = knit. P = Purl. K2tog = Knit two together. Sl = Slip that stitch [knitwise]. CL

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