Design by Josephine Grycel, adapted by her granddaughter, Kelly Bridges…
When I was growing up, it seemed that every Christmas my grandmother would create dozens and dozens of the most comfortable sweaters in the world. The number might be an exaggeration of my young mind, but the luxury is no overstatement. I remember receiving sweater after sweater- some with cables, some with interesting multi-colored yarn, some cardigans, some plain and simple- all based on the same “formula” and all worn until frayed and thin. When I decided to try my hand at knitting a sweater in college, naturally I called my grandmother (the woman who taught me to knit in the first place), and she recited this pattern to me from memory over the telephone. A few days later, I received hand written directions in the mail, and I went on to make several of my friends these sweaters. They had borrowed mine before, so they knew what to request when a knit gift was offered.
This sweater is quintessential. It is warm and comfy and wraps you up, just like your grandma would. It is knit from the bottom up, in the round, and is almost seamless. It is easy to personalize, like my grandmother did with cables and buttons and like I have done in this pattern with the optional colorwork. And this sweater, like many of the things I love and believe in, comes from my grandmother through me to you…

SKILLS USED: Basics, shaping, knitting in the round.

SIZES: 2-4 years (4-6 yr / 6-10 yr / XS / S / M / L / XL / XXL)
These sizes are wide ranging…Please measure the recipient’s chest circumference and add 4” for a basic sweater fit and 6” for a roomy fit. See finished measurements below.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: Approximately 26 (30 / 33½ / 37½ / 41 / 45 / 48½ / 52½ / 56)” circumference. Approximately 14 (17, 20, 22, 23, 25, 25, 27, 29)” length from bottom of sweater to top of shoulder.

MATERIALS NEEDED: Heavy worsted (aran) weight yarn: Main color (MC) 340 (475 / 640 / 805 / 910 / 1045 / 1140 / 1300 / 1430) yds; contrasting color (CC, optional) 35 (40 / 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75) yds. Please note: You will need approximately 14 (16 / 18 / 20 / 22 / 24 / 26 / 28 / 30) yds less of the MC if you will be doing the chart with a CC. Add 12 (14 / 26 / 27 / 30 / 34 / 35 / 37 / 38) yds of CC for two color ribbing (optional). US#8 (5 mm) needles, 24 or 32” circular, 16” circular and double-pointed. US#9 (5.5 mm) needles, 24 or 32” circular, 16” or 20” circular and double-pointed (12” circular optional for sleeves).

GAUGE: 16 sts and 22 rows per 4” in stockinette stitch.