First Snow Day Children’s Hoodie Knitting Pattern

Skill Level: Intermediate

Sizes: Finished Bust Size 20 (20½, 21½, 23½, 25, 27, 28½, 30½, 32, 34)” / [51 (52, 54.5, 59.5, 63.5, 68.5, 72.5, 77.5, 81.5, 86.5) cm] to fit ages 3mos (6mos, 9mos, 12mos, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) years

Shown in size 27″ (4 years)

Gauge: 18 sts and 26 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in St st with larger needle; 22 sts = 5″ [12.5 cm] in Back Panel and 10 sts = 2¼” [5.5 cm] in Front Panel with larger needle.

Materials

Yarn: O-Wool Local (50% Alpaca, 50% Certified Organic Merino; 240 yards [219 meters]/100 grams): Bluebell, 2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5) hanks

Needles: US size 4 (3.25 mm): 16″ circular and DPNs; US size 6 (4 mm): 16″ circular and DPNs.

Notions: Stitch markers; cable needle; stitch holders or waste yarn; tapestry needle.

Abbreviations

beg: begin(ning)

BO: bind off

cn: cable needle

CO: cast on

cont: continue

dec(‘d): decrease(d)

dpn(s): double pointed needle(s)

est: establish(ed)

inc(‘d): increase(d)

k: knit

k2tog: knit 2 sts together

LC (Left Cable): sl 1 st to cn and hold in front, k1, k1 from cn

LLI (Left Lifted Increase): use left needle to pick up the st 2 sts below the last st on the right needle, then knit into it

LLPI (Left Lifted Purl Increase): use left needle to pick up the st 2 sts below the last st on the right needle, then purl into it (1 st increased)

LPC (Left Purl Cable): sl 1 st to cn and hold in front, p1, k1 from cn

m: marker(s)

p: purl

patt: pattern(s)

pm: place marker

RC (Right Cable): sl 1 st to cn and hold in back, k1, k1 from cn

rem: remain(ing)

rep: repeat

RLI (Right Lifted Increase): use right needle to pick up the st below the next st on the left needle, then knit into it

RLPI (Right Lifted Purl Increase): use right needle to pick up the st below the next st on the left needle, then purl into it (1 st increased)

rnd(s): round(s)

RPC (Right Purl Cable): sl 1 st to cn and hold in back, k1, p1 from cn

RS: right side

sl: slip

ssk (slip, slip, knit): sl 2 sts (1 at a time) knitwise to the right needle, return sts to the left needle in turned position and knit them together through the back loops

st(s): stitch(es)

WS: wrong side

Wyib: with yarn in back

Wyif: with yarn in front

Special Stitches

Back Panel (worked in Rows over 22 sts)

Row 1 (RS): (K6, RC) twice, k6.

Row 2 (WS): K6, p10, k6.

Row 3: K5, RPC, LPC, k4, RPC, LPC, k5.

Row 4: K5, p1, k2, p6, k2, p1, k5.

Row 5: K5, RPC, p2, LPC, k2, RPC, p2, LPC, k4.

Row 6: K4, p1, k4, p4, k4, p1, k4.

Row 7: K3, (RPC, p4, LPC) twice, k3.

Rows 8 and 10: K3, (p1, k6, p1) twice, k3.

Row 9: K4, p6, LC, p6, k4.

Row 11: K3, (LC, p4, RC) twice, k3.

Row 12: Rep Row 6.

Row 13: K4, LC, p2, RC, k2, LC, p2, RC, k4.

Row 14: Rep Row 4.

Row 15: K5, LC, RC, k4, LC, RC, k5.

Row 16: Rep Row 2.

Rep Rows 1–16 for patt.

Back Panel (worked in Rnds over 22 sts)

Rnd 1: (K6, RC) twice, k6.

Rnd 2: P6, k10, p6.

Rnd 3: K5, RPC, LPC, k4, RPC, LPC, k5.

Rnd 4: P5, k1, p2, k6, p2, k1, p5.

Rnd 5: K5, RPC, p2, LPC, k2, RPC, p2, LPC, k4.

Rnd 6: P4, k1, p4, k4, p4, k1, p4.

Rnd 7: K3, (RPC, p4, LPC) twice, k3.

Rnds 8 and 10: P3, (k1, p6, k1) twice, p3.

Rnd 9: K4, p6, LC, p6, k4.

Rnd 11: K3, (LC, p4, RC) twice, k3.

Rnd 12: Rep Rnd 6.

Rnd 13: K4, LC, p2, RC, k2, LC, p2, RC, k4.

Rnd 14: Rep Rnd 4.

Rnd 15: K5, LC, RC, k4, LC, RC, k5.

Rnd 16: Rep Rnd 2.

Rep Rnds 1–16 for patt.

Front Panel (worked in Rnds over 10 sts)

Rnd 1: K10.

Rnd 2: P1, k8, p1.

Rnd 3: K1, LC, k4, RC, k1.

Rnd 4: P2, k6, p2.

Rnd 5: K2, LC, k2, RC, k2.

Rnd 6: P3, k4, p3.

Rnd 7: K3, LC, RC, k3.

Rnd 8: P4, k2, p4.

Rnd 9: K4, LC, k4.

Rnd 10: Rep Rnd 8.

Rnd 11: K3, RC, LC, k3.

Rnd 12: Rep Rnd 6.

Rnd 13: K2, RC, k2, LC, k2.

Rnd 14: Rep Rnd 4.

Rnd 15: K1, RC, k4, LC, k1.

Rnd 16: Rep Rnd 2.

Rep Rnds 1–16 for patt.

Stockinette Stitch (worked in Rows)

Knit on RS, purl on WS.

Stockinette Stitch (worked in Rnds)

Knit all sts, every rnd.

Garter Stitch (worked in Rows)

Row 1: Knit.

Rep Row 1 for patt.

Garter Stitch (worked in Rnds)

Rnd 1: Purl.

Rnd 2: Knit.

Rep Rnds 1-2 for patt.

Wrap and turn (W&T)

Knit Row: Wyib, slip next st purlwise onto right needle, bring yarn to front of work, return slipped st to left needle, bring yarn to back of work, then turn work.

Purl Row: Wyif, slip next st purlwise onto right needle, bring yarn to back of work, return slipped st to left needle, bring yarn to front of work, then turn work.

Hide Wraps

Knit Row: Pick up wrap from the front with right needle and k together with st it wraps.

Purl Row: Pick up wrap through back of loop with right needle and p together with st it wraps.

Backward Loop Cast-on Method

*Wrap yarn around left thumb from front to back and secure in palm with other fingers, insert right needle upwards through strand on thumb, slip loop from thumb onto needle, pulling yarn to tighten; rep from * for desired number of sts.

Pattern Notes

This hoodie is worked from the top down beginning at the top of the hood. The hood is shaped by working the top section flat, then picking up stitches along each selvedge edge. The top of the hood is shaped with short rows, then decrease rows are evenly spaced along the length of the hood to the neck. There is an optional bind-off for neck stability, then the same number of stitches are picked up for the yoke. The yoke is worked with raglan increases to the underarms, where the body and sleeves are divided. Stitches are cast-on for the front neck, then the body is worked in the round to the hem while the sleeve stitches are held. Then the sleeve stitches are placed onto DPNs and knit from the underarm to the cuff. The front band is picked up and knit, then overlapped and sewn to the front body.

Pattern

Hood

With larger circular needle, CO 24 sts. Do not join; work back and forth in rows.

Set-up Row (WS): K1, pm, k6, p10, k6, pm, k1.

Row 1 (RS): K1, sm, work Back Panel to next m, sm, k1.

Cont working even as est until Rows 1–16 of Back Panel have been worked 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) times, then work 8 (10, 12, 13, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) more rows, ending after a WS row. Break yarn.

With RS facing and sts at the top, rotate work 45% counter-clockwise. Using the end of the circular needle that is coming from the bottom edge of the held sts, pick up and k18 (20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 33) sts evenly along selvedge edge, working from the CO edge to the held sts, k to m, sm, work as est to next m, sm, k1, pick up and k18 (20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 33) sts evenly along selvedge edge, working from the held sts to the CO edge – 60 (64, 66, 70, 72, 76, 80, 82, 86, 90) sts.

Shape Top of Hood

Short-Row 1 (WS): P to m, sm, work in Back Panel to next m, sm, p1, wrap next st and turn so RS is facing.

Short-Row 2 (RS): K1, sm, work as est to next m, sm, k1, wrap next st and turn so WS is facing – 17 (19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 32) sts rem unwrapped at each end of row.

Inc Short-Row 3 (WS): P to 1 st before m, RLPI, p1, sm, work to next m, sm, p1, LLPI, p to wrapped st from previous WS row, p wrap together with st, p3 (4, 4, 3, 3, 4, 4, 3, 4, 4), wrap next st and turn so RS is facing – 2 sts inc’d.

Inc Short-Row 4 (RS): K to 1 st before m, RLI, k1, sm, work to next m, sm, k1, LLI, k to wrapped st from previous RS row, k wrap together with st, k3 (4, 4, 3, 3, 4, 4, 3, 4, 4), wrap next st and turn so WS is facing – 2 sts inc’d.

Rep last 2 Inc Short-Rows 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) more times – 68 (72, 74, 78, 84, 88, 92, 94, 98, 102) total sts; 9 (9, 10, 14, 11, 10, 12, 16, 15, 17) sts rem unwrapped at each end of row.

Short-Row 5 (WS): P to m, sm, work to next m, sm, p to wrapped st from previous WS row, p wrap together with st, p4 (5, 5, 4, 4, 5, 5, 4, 5, 5), wrap next st and turn so RS is facing.

Short-Row 6 (RS): K to m, sm, work to next m, sm, k to wrapped st from previous RS row, k wrap together with st, k4 (5, 5, 4, 4, 5, 5, 4, 5, 5), wrap next st and turn so WS is facing.

Rep last 2 Short-Rows 0 (0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1) more times – 4 (3, 4, 4, 6, 4, 6, 6, 3, 5) sts rem unwrapped at each end of row.

Next Row (WS): P to m, sm, work as est to wrapped st from previous WS row, p wrap together with st, p to end.

Next Row (RS): K to m, sm, work Back Panel to next m, sm, k to wrapped st from previous RS row, k wrap together with st, k to end.

Work 1 WS row even as est, working the Back Panel between the markers and the sts outside the markers in St st.

Shape Body of Hood

Dec Row (RS): K1, k2tog, k to 2 sts before m, ssk, sm, work Back Panel to next m, sm, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 – 4 sts dec’d; 64 (68, 70, 74, 80, 84, 88, 90, 94, 98) sts.

Work 3 (3, 3, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5) rows even as est, ending after a WS row.

Rep last 4 (4, 4, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6) rows 2 (2, 1, 5, 5, 6, 5, 7, 6, 8) more times – 56 (60, 66, 54, 60, 60, 68, 62, 70, 66) sts.

[Rep Dec Row, then work 5 (5, 5, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7) rows even] 3 (4, 5, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1) time – 44 (44, 46, 50, 56, 56, 60, 58, 62, 62) sts.

Note: All the sts are BO on the next RS row for stability. This prevents the neckline from stretching due to the weight of the larger size sweaters. It’s not required and probably not necessary for the smaller sizes. If you choose not to BO, simply work 1 RS row as est.

Next Row (RS): BO all sts in patt, working the cable twists as you BO. Break yarn.

Back

With larger circular needle and RS facing, work along the BO edge of the hood, pick up and k1 st in each of the BO sts as follows: pick up and k11 (11, 12, 14, 17, 17, 19, 18, 20, 20) sts along the St sts, pm for Back Panel, pick up and k22 sts for Back Panel, pm for Back Panel, then pick up and k11 (11, 12, 14, 17, 17, 19, 18, 20, 20) more sts – 44 (44, 46, 50, 56, 56, 60, 58, 62, 62) sts.

Raglan Shaping

Notes: Use different colored markers to easily tell the difference between the raglan and cable panel markers.

Next Row (WS): P8 (8, 8, 9, 10, 10, 11, 10, 10, 10) for Right Front, pm for raglan, p2 (2, 2, 2, 4, 4, 4, 4, 6, 6) for Right Sleeve, pm for raglan, p1 (1, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4) to Back Panel m, sm, work 22 sts to next m as est, sm, p1 (1, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4) for Back, pm for Raglan, 2 (2, 2, 2, 4, 4, 4, 4, 6, 6) for Left Sleeve, pm for raglan, p8 (8, 8, 9, 10, 10, 11, 10, 10, 10) to end for Left Front.

Shape Raglan

Sizes 3 (6, 9, 12, -, -, -, -, -, -) mos only

Body and Sleeve Inc Row (RS): *K to 1 st before raglan m, RLI, k1, sm, k1, LLI; rep from * 3 more times, k to end – 8 sts inc’d; 52 (52, 54, 58, -, -, -, -, -, -) sts.

Body and Sleeve Inc Row (WS): *P to 1 st before raglan m, RLPI, p1, sm, p1, LLPI; rep from * 3 more times, p to end – 8 sts inc’d; 60 (60, 62, 66, -, -, -, -, -, -) sts.

Sizes 3mos (6mos, 9mos, 12mos, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, -) years only

Body and Sleeve Inc Row (RS): *K to 1 st before raglan m, RLI, k1, sm, k1, LLI; rep from * 3 more times, k to end – 8 sts inc’d; 68 (68, 70, 74, 64, 64, 68, 66, 70, -) sts.

Work 1 WS row even.

Sleeve Inc Row (RS): *K to raglan m, sm, k1, LLI, k to 1 st before next raglan m, RLI, k1, sm; rep from * once more, k to end – 4 sts inc’d; 72 (72, 74, 78, 68, 68, 72, 70, 74, -) sts.

Work 1 WS row even.

Rep last 4 rows 5 (5, 6, 6, 4, 3, 3, 2, 0, -) more times – 132 (132, 146, 150, 116, 104, 108, 94, 74, -) sts; 16 (16, 17, 18, 15, 14, 15, 13, 11, -) sts each Front, 30 (30, 34, 34, 24, 20, 20, 16, 10, -) sts each Sleeve, 40 (40, 44, 46, 38, 36, 38, 36, 32, -) sts for Back.

Sizes – (6mos, -, 12mos, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) years only

Body and Sleeve Inc Row (RS): *K to 1 st before raglan m, RLI, k1, sm, k1, LLI; rep from * 3 more times, k to end – 8 sts inc’d; – (140, -, 158, 124, 112, 116, 102, 82, 70) sts.

Work 1 WS row even.

Rep last 2 rows – (0, -, 0, 5, 8, 9, 12, 16, 19) more times – – (140, -, 158, 164, 176, 188, 198, 210, 222) sts; – (17, -, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30) sts each Front, – (32, -, 36, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46) sts each Sleeve and – (42, -, 48, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70) sts for Back.

All Sizes

Divide Body and Sleeves (RS): K16 (17, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30) Left Front sts, remove m, use the backwards loop method to CO 4 (4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6) sts for underarm, place the next 30 (32, 34, 36, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46) Sleeve sts onto st holder or waste yarn, remove m, work 40 (42, 44, 48, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70) Back sts as est, remove m, use the backwards loop method to CO 4 (4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6) sts for underarm, place the next 30 (32, 34, 36, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46) Sleeve sts onto st holder or waste yarn, remove m, k16 (17, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30) Right Front sts to end – 80 (84, 86, 94, 104, 112, 120, 126, 134, 142) sts.

Body

Cont working back and forth in rows, ending after the next RS Row 7 or Row 15 of the Back Panel has been completed.

Join Front Neck (RS): With RS still facing, use the backwards loop method to CO 8 (8, 10, 10, 8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10) sts for Front Neck, join to Left Front, k18 (19, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 33), pm for beg of rnd.

Cont working in the rnd as follows:

Rnd 1 (Est Front Panel): K11 (12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27) to Back Panel m, sm, work Rnd 8 or Rnd 16 of Back Panel as est to next m, sm, k28 (30, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60), pm for Front Panel, work Rnd 8 or 16 of Front Panel for 10 sts, pm for Front Panel, k17 (18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33) to end.

Cont working even as est until piece meas approx 5 (5½, 6, 6¾, 8, 8½, 9, 10½, 12, 13)” / [12.5 (14, 15, 17, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 26.5, 30.5, 33) cm] from underarm, ending after Rnd 16 or Rnd 8 of Panels. Remove panel markers on the last rnd.

Change to smaller circular needle.

Beg with a purl rnd, work 8 rnds in Garter St, ending after a k rnd.

BO all sts purlwise.

Sleeves

Return 30 (32, 34, 36, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46) held Sleeve sts to larger DPNs.

With empty DPN, beg at center of underarm CO sts, pick up and k3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4) sts (1 st in each underarm CO st, and 1 st at gap between CO sts and held sts), k across held sts, pick up and k3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4) sts (1 st at gap, and 1 st in each underarm CO st) – 36 (38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54) sts. Pm for beg of rnd, divide sts evenly over DPNs and join to work in the rnd.

Dec Rnd: K2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3), k2tog, k to last 4 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5) sts, ssk, k to end – 2 sts dec’d; 34 (36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52) sts.

Shape Sleeve

Knit 4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 7, 7, 7, 7) rnds.

Dec Rnd: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 – 2 sts dec’d; 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50) sts.

Rep last 5 (5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 8, 8) rnds 0 (2, 4, 5, 6, 2, 2, 2, 4, 2) more times – 32 (30, 28, 28, 28, 38, 40, 42, 40, 46) sts.

[Knit 6 (6, 6, -, -, 7, 9, 9, 9, 9) rnds, then rep Dec Rnd] 3 (2, 1, 0, 0, 5, 5, 6, 5, 7) times – 26 (26, 26, 28, 28, 28, 30, 30, 30, 32) sts.

Cont working even in St st until piece meas 5 (5½, 6, 6½, 7½, 10, 12½, 14, 15, 15½)” / [12.5 (14, 15, 16.5, 19, 25.5, 32, 35.5, 38, 39.5) cm] from beg

Change to smaller DPNs.

Beg with a purl rnd, work 8 rnds in Garter St, ending after a knit rnd.

BO all sts purlwise.

Make second Sleeve the same as the first.

Finishing

Block piece to measurements.

Neckband

With smaller circular needle and RS facing, beg at Front Neck CO edge, pick up and k2 sts for every 3 rows evenly along the Right Front edge to the Back Panel, 22 sts across the CO edge of the Back Panel, then 2 sts for every 3 rows evenly along the Left Front edge to the Front Neck CO sts. Do not pick up any sts across the Front Neck CO sts. The selvedge edges of the Neckband will be sewn to this edge later. Do not join; work back and forth in rows.

Knit 10 rows, ending after a RS row. BO all sts knitwise. Break yarn leaving a long tail. Use the tail to sew the selvedge edges of the neckband to the Front neck CO sts, overlapping the Left Front over the right for a boy’s sweater or the right front over the left for a girl’s sweater.

Weave in ends. Block Neckband if desired.