Experience Level: Intermediate

Transfixed by circles and wanting to knit a textural sweater for my son, I landed on working up a simple pullover with reverse stockinette stitch polka dots. The stitch pattern becomes quite fun and easy to get the hang of.

Are you wondering why I named this pattern the “Hugs Pullover”? If you think about X’s and O’s being a symbol for kisses and hugs, the polka dots on this sweater are like dozens of little hugs knitted right into the fabric. Knitting this sweater is a whole lot of love.

Construction Details
This sweater is worked in four separate pieces and seamed. The neck is then worked in the round. The pattern stitch is written in chart form and in words, knitters can choose their preference.

Techniques Necessary

• Cast on
• Binding off
• Increasing (m1)
• Decreasing (ssk, k2tog)
• Following a stitch pattern (including increasing and decreasing stitches in a stitch pattern)
• Seaming
• Picking up stitches for neckband

Toddler/Children’s Size options: 12 month (18 month, 2-3 year, 4-5 year, 6-7 year, 8-9 year)
Finished Measurements:
Finished Width: 23 (24, 26, 28, 30, 32)”
Finished Length: 12 (13, 14.5, 16, 18, 19.5)”

Yarn: Light Worsted Weight yarn (CYCA #4) 400 (450, 525, 675, 800, 900) yards

Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4” in pattern stitch on size 7 (4.5 mm) needles.

Needle: US 7 (4.5 mm) needle for body and sleeves and US 7 (4.5 mm) 16” circular needles for the neckline. Adjust needle size as necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Additional materials: stitch markers, row counter, stitch holder, tapestry needle.