FREE PATTERN - Barbie Pullover with Sailor Collar

Here is the knitting pattern I promised in February. I think it's really fun to make (I made three without stopping), and easy. As I mentioned in my post New Barbie Pullover with Sailor Collar, I was pretty casual with the gauge and yarn when I made these, and I think the results were good in all cases. I used my 2.75mm needles because they are my favorite but you could go up a bit or down to 2mm, if that's your thing.

A Word about Magic Loop:

I just have to say that I make everything using the Magic Loop Method. It's just so easy, I don't know why I would do it any other way. All of my patterns are based on using Magic loop but that doesn't mean you can't use double pointed needles if that's what you prefer. I am going to find a great tutorial on Magic Loop and post it, but do a search yourself and find a tutorial you like. This is how I learned and I remember it was like a light bulb going on over my head.

I never consider myself an expert and I'm pretty self taught, so sometimes you may find I over explain things. I think this is helpful if you are a beginner and I think you should consider this pattern - and all my patterns - do-able at any skill level.

I will also be posting this Pattern on Ravelry as a Free Download. If you have a smart phone and knit on the go, you will find that a pattern on this blog is very readable on your phone. Barbie sweaters make a perfect pocket project.

Here is a link to my Ravelry Shop:  http://www.ravelry.com/designers/kelly-mullan

Barbie Pullover With Sailor Collar                     By Kelly Mullan

Skill level: Easy

Materials:

2.75/ US#2 circular needle at least 60 cm/24 inches.

Two stitch holders

One 2.75/US#2, (or similar size) DPN.

Darning needle

Light weight/ 3ply fingering yarn OR 4 ply fingering yarn. The heavier yarn will give you a slightly roomier fit.

Instructions

With circular needle, cast on 36 sts. Arrange stitches for knitting in Magic Loop with 18 sts on each needle.

Rounds 1 – 8: (K1, P1) repeat to end of round.

Rounds 9 – 15: K.

Round 16: K7, P6, K to end of round.

Round 17: K.

Round 18: K7, P6, K to end of round.

Round 19: K.

Round 20: Bind off 2 sts, K4 (you now have 5 sts on the right needle), P6, K5, (turning to second half of round) bind off 2 sts, K to end of round. Break off yarn. Slip work onto 2 stitch holders. Set aside.

Sleeves (make two)

Knit flat. On 2.75mm needles (straight or circular), cast on 12 sts.

Rows 1 – 3: K.

Row 4 (WS): P.

Rows 5: M1, K to end of row, M1 (14 sts total).

Row 6 - 16: K on RS, P on WS.

Row 17: Bind off first 2 sts, k to end of row, psso second last st over last st, break off yarn and pull through last st. Slip sleeve off of main needle and on to DPN. Set aside.

Make second sleeve the same as first and slip on to the same DPN facing the same way up.

Connect Sleeves to Body

Slip body off of holders and back on to the circular needle.

K to the first gap. Knit first sleeve off of DPN and on to main needle. Make sure it is facing right side up. K to the second gap. K the second sleeve off of DPN and onto the main needle. While working this round, re-adjust the stitches on the needle so that half (5sts) of the sleeve stitches are on either side of the work. You do this by pulling the needles through the stitches so that the loop is pulled all the way in. Adjust stitches and pull loop out once more between the stitches you want to separate.

Next Row: K 10, P3 (you are now at the center front). Turn the work so that you are working back the opposite direction, and on the WS. Now you may adjust the needles so that the points of the needle are at the Center Front of the sweater and the needle loop is pulled out the center Back of the sweater. P to last 3 sts, K3 (you are now back at the center front).

Next Row (RS)(begin making decreases for Raglan Sleeves): K6, SKP, K2tog, K6, SKP, K2tog, K12, SKP, K2tog, K6, SKP, K2tog, K3, P3.

Next Row (WS): P to last 3 sts, P3.

Next Row (RS): K5, SKP, K2tog, K4, SKP, K2tog, K10, SKP, K2tog, K4, SKP, K2tog, K2, P3.

Next Row (WS): P to last 3 sts, P3.

You may now fit all of the stitches onto 1 needle, if it makes it easier for you.

Next Row (RS): K4, SKP, K2tog, K2, SKP, K2tog, K8, SKP, K2tog, K2, SKP, K2tog, K1, P3.

Next Row (WS): P to last 3 sts, P3.

Next Row (RS): K3, SKP, K2tog, SKP, K2tog, K6, SKP, K2tog, SKP, K2tog, P3.

Collar

Row 1: P to last 3 sts, K3.

Rows 2 – 15: K on WS and RS.

Row 16: Bind off. Feel free to make the collar longer or shorter, as you like.

Finishing

Turn sweater inside out. With yarn tails, sew sleeve seam and then underarm. Turn right side out and block by pinning flat with collar folded in place. Place a damp cloth over and press lightly with a hot iron.