Merbaby Pullover by Padma R

Merbaby Pullover

by Padma R
Knitting
October 2024
Worsted (9 wpi) ?
20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches
in body pattern
US 3 - 3.25 mm
US 2½ - 3.0 mm
528 - 1082 yards (483 - 989 m)
2T, 4T, 6T, 8T, 10T, 12T
English
This pattern is available for $6.95 USD buy it now

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To see videos of this sweater, please click here and here. You can also see a behind-the-scenes video of the Merbaby Pullover WIP here!

This unisex child’s sweater uses worsted weight yarn in two colors and comes in 6 sizes (2T to 12T). It’s fun and easy to knit with a drop-shoulder sleeve and seamless construction.

The attractive textured fabric of the sweater looks and feels like the scales of fish – or merpeople! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

The pattern has been tech edited and tested.

Skill level: Intermediate / Advanced beginner: circular knitting, increases, decreases, picking up stitches, 3-needle bind off.

Sizes: 2T (4T, 6T, 8T, 10T, 12T)
To fit actual chest circumference: 21 (23, 25, 26.5, 28, 30) inches / 53.3 (58.4, 63.5, 67.3, 71.1, 76.2) cm
Garment chest circumference at underarm: 25.5 (27.25, 28.75, 30.5, 32, 33.5) inches / 65 (69, 73, 77, 81, 85) cm

Yarn: Berroco Vintage 218 yds/199 m/3.5 oz /100 g; in Main color (MC) Okra (2 skeins) and Contrast color (CC) Pumpkin (1 skein) were used for the green/orange sweater in size 2T.
You may use any worsted weight yarn with similar yardage to Berroco Vintage and fairly good contrast between MC and CC. Solid /semisolid colors are recommended to show off the texture.

Yardage required: 2T (4T, 6T, 8T, 10T, 12T): MC: 406 (505, 616, 722, 792, 869) yds / 371 (462, 563, 660, 724, 795) m. CC: 122 (142, 158, 183, 191, 213) yds / 112 (130, 144, 167, 175, 195) m

Construction: The Body is worked bottom up in the round in MC until the armholes; it is then split for Front and Back which are worked flat in MC and CC. Shoulders are joined using 3-needle bind off. Sleeves are picked up around the armhole and worked downwards. A garter stitch trim is used for bottom band, neckband and sleeve cuffs.

Needles & notions: 3.25mm (US 3) and 3.75mm (US 5) 28” circular needles, stitch markers, tapestry needle, stitch holders (or scrap yarn to hold stitches)

Gauge: 20 sts/36 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) in Body pattern with larger needles after gentle blocking. Adjust needle size to obtain gauge.

Link to test thread and progress photos

Many thanks to my wonderful testers: LadyDaVinciKnits wickedgoodshari mlh200 nwheatley sharmisthasircar

Testers speak

  • I love the easy to remember pattern design!

  • Pattern was easy to read and memorize.

  • Made it for a mermaid loving great niece!

  • I let my grandson pick out the yarn! He’s calling it his Spiderman sweater LOL

  • After swatching, I decided to do the “scale” pattern all over. It’s looking cute!

  • Such a wonderful texture to knit!

  • Grandson is loving it. He says it is going to be his favorite sweater and am I done yet? It has some room to last him thru the winter.

  • It was a delight to knit this pattern.