Over The Ocean – Children’s Sizing

Over the Ocean is a seamless, top-down children’s raglan sweater worked in the round. The unisex design features a twisted 1×1 rib and a four-stitch cable which runs with the raglan increases. The neckline can either be worked straight (handy not having to worry which is the back or the front when throwing over children’s heads!) or with short row shaping to drop the front neckline slightly. The all-over texture is created by cabling slip stitches which creates a beautiful, ‘undulating’ effect somewhat representative of the flowing tides of a calm ocean glistening in the sun.

Sizing Overview

**Please scroll to the end of this listing to find full sizing information and schematic.

6mths (1yrs, 2yrs, 4yrs) (6yrs, 8yrs, 10yrs).

Ages are provided as a guide only. Due to deviations in children’s body shapes, choose your size based on the chest measurements shown in the schematic. The garment is intended to fit with 2-3” (5-7.5cm) positive ease, so pick a size approximately 2-3” (5-7.5cm) larger than the actual chest measurement.

Chest circumference (actual size)
19 (22, 24.5, 26) (29, 30.5, 32) inches
OR
47.5 (54.5, 62, 65.5) (72.5, 76.5, 80) centimetres

Yarn Requirements

This is a versatile pattern so a great variety of yarns will work depending on your desired result. The slip stitch cables will highlight speckles and colours in variegated yarns whereas the patten will speak for itself on a solid or semi solid colourway, the choice is yours!
The sample is modelled by my nephew, Caleb. He is wearing an age 2yrs with approx. 2” (5cm) positive ease. The yarn is Valley Yarns Superwash Merino DK, 125m per 50g in the colourway ‘Blue Mist (15)’.

Suggested Yarns

Valley Yarns Superwash Merino DK, 125m (137yds) per 50g.
Any hand dyed Superwash Merino DK, 225m (246yds) per 100g.
Providing gauge is met, I welcome you to use any yarn you wish, just remember that different fibre types create different feeling fabrics and drape so when blocking, be sure you are happy with not just the gauge but also the fabric it is creating.

Required meterage (yardage)*

6mths (1yr, 2yrs, 4yrs) (6yrs, 8yrs, 10yrs).
360 (435, 530, 595) (685, 880, 1025), m / 395 (475, 580, 650) (750, 962, 1120) yds
This equates to 3 (4, 5, 5) (6, 8, 9) balls of Valley Yarns Superwash Merino DK, 125m (137yds) per 50g.
*Required meterage (yardage) is based on the specified gauge using the yarn in which the sample was knit, plus allowances for swatching. These figures should be used as a guide only.

Gauge

On larger needles, 22 sts and 28 rounds = 4x4in (10x10cm) in main pattern, after blocking. Swatching in the round is recommended.

Needles

3.5mm (US size 4) and 4mm (US size 6) circular needles OR size needed to obtain gauge.
Length dependent on your knitting style:
24”+ (60cm+) circular for magic loop in both sizes for neckline, sleeves and sleeve cuffs.
OR short circulars OR double pointed needles in both sizes.
16” (40cm) circular for yoke/body as required.

Notions

Scrap yarn or stitch holders.
8 locking stitch markers.
A cable needle if not using a ‘cable without a cable needle’ method.

Required Techniques

Knitting in the round.

Use of either Magic Loop, a short circular needle or double pointed needles for knitting the sleeves.

Cable knitting. Instruction is given for using a cable needle within the chart key. However, for the most pleasant knitting experience, the slipped cables are best worked without a cable needle. If you have not cabled without a cable needle before then this is a great time to try!

Videos detailing how to work the slipped cables stitches without a cable needle are available.

Sizing and Schematic

A. Finished chest circumference

B. Yoke depth measured at the front

C. Upper arm circumference

D. Sleeve length measured from underarm

E. Underarm to bottom hem

Sizing in inches

Sizing in centimetres

This pattern has been re-graded and re-written since it was featured in Knit Now Magazine. If you are knitting from this version of the pattern, the errata is available here and please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need any assistance.