The Four Year Sweater
Thoughts on practical knitting for children.
When my kids were babies, I had no concept of how quickly time would fly. I knit sweater after sweater in every size, thinking how nice it would be to pass them down to my youngest after my oldest outgrew each one. I imagined years of wear, but that’s not how babies work.
I knit the sweaters roomy, but it didn’t matter. Most only lasted a year or maybe two before the sleeves started creeping up their wrists and the hems began to rise. Over time, it became obvious to me that the best way to increase the longevity of my kids’ garments was to add several inches to the body and especially the sleeves. Torso width mostly stayed the same.
Thus, in early 2022 I knit my oldest daughter a Child’s Classic Raglan Pullover in the largest child’s size, adding at least six inches of length to both the sleeves and body. Because it was such a neutral piece, it became a staple in her wardrobe. She wore it outdoors for chores and drizzly walks in the woods, and indoors over tees or collared shirts. It was one of the most versatile, well-worn pieces in her closet.
I used non-superwash wool to knit the garment, so it held its structure well and could be worn several times before needing to be washed. Plus, the yarn was soft enough that it didn’t irritate her skin, yet sturdy enough that it barely pilled. Despite four years of hard wear, it remained in remarkably good condition.
This winter, I glanced over while she was wearing it and realized the time had finally come to pass it down to her little sister, who is coincidentally four years her junior. Eight years of total use is pretty good in my book.
This also meant it was time to make her a new pullover. I had recently knit the Lakes Pullover for a friend and really liked the construction, so I decided to make another for my daughter. I even used the same yarn as her previous sweater.
Interestingly, most of the people I see making this pattern are knitting it boxy or cropped with bracelet-length sleeves. So although I went long in the sleeves and body as usual, she’ll likely be able to continue wearing it even after she begins to outgrow it.
Another mistake I made back when the girls were babies was the sheer number of sweaters I made. Some were inevitably neglected, and if you’re anything like me, you want your handknits to be well-worn and worth the effort it takes to make them. Personally, I’d rather darn holes than watch a garment I’ve made sit pristine in a closet.
With all of that in mind and after plenty of trial and error, I’ve formed some guidelines for how I tend to knit for my kids. If I’d known then what I know now, I’d have done it this way from the start. Or at least I would’ve had a better idea of what I was getting into.
If you are knitting for kids too, and have a penchant for pragmatic knitting, these guidelines might be a good place to start:
Sweaters for Kids
Knit one cardigan and one pullover two or three sizes up from their current size.
Add several extra inches of length to the torso, and especially to the sleeves since they can always be cuffed.
Use a neutral color that goes with most of their wardrobe.
Use a non-superwash wool that isn’t too scratchy, like Knit Picks Simply Wool.
When their sweater/cardigan starts to fit perfectly, it’s time to knit another.
Accessories for Kids
Hoods, hooded cowls, and fingerless mitts get used most often here.
Ribbed legwarmers are a good way to use up yarn scraps and fit nicely in oversized chore boots.
Neck accessories are nice, especially if they have a way to fasten like this Classic Kerchief.
Shawls make excellent portable car blankets.
Both of my kids have a handmade set of gloves and hats they keep in their backpack for school in case they get cold or need to stand outside for a drill.
Ideally, we keep all accessories in a basket near the door so they actually get used.
That said, I don’t always follow these guidelines. For instance, last year I spontaneously knit my oldest a Catkin Pullover, which was neither a foundational basic nor particularly oversized—though I expect it’ll be wearable for another year or two. But I was looking through my stash yarn and found some worsted Targhee I’d dyed with madder and walnut back in the day, and I couldn’t resist.
So it goes.
Fab thanks, knitting for a granddaughter this is helpful! Love Leanne