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In the quiet corner of my cozy space, I found myself captivated by the allure of a knitting project that promised both style and comfort – the Youth Granite Sweater, my first ever original sweater design. Little did I know, this adventure with yarn and needles would unfold into a story of pure joy and creativity.
The journey began with an array of yarn, each skein a canvas of possibilities. Choosing the colors for my Youth Granite Sweater was like selecting hues for a painting, and with each shade, I envisioned the warmth and vibrancy it would bring to the final creation.
As I cast on the first stitches, a rhythmic symphony emerged. The gentle click-clack of needles and the soft whisper of yarn created a soothing melody. Knitting the Youth Granite Sweater became more than a craft; it transformed into a meditative dance, a form of self-expression that echoed in every stitch.
The pattern unfolded like a story with unexpected twists and turns. A unique stitch here, a clever construction element there – each surprise added a layer of excitement to the narrative of my sweater. It was as if the pattern itself was a companion, guiding me through the joy of discovery.
Knitting is more than a solitary pursuit; it’s a communal experience. I found myself sharing my progress with friends, family and social media, weaving stories around each stitch. Laughter, advice, and shared excitement turned my Youth Granite Sweater into a project that bridged connections and created lasting memories.
As I cast off the final stitches, I marveled at the cozy masterpiece in my hands. The Youth Granite Sweater was not just a garment; it was a tangible manifestation of the joy, creativity, and shared moments that defined its creation. Wrapped in its warmth, I couldn’t help but smile, knowing that this knitting project had become a chapter in my life’s story. The first chapter in a new path I had decided to take my designing on.
The Youth Granite Sweater wasn’t just about knitting; it was a journey of joy, discovery, and connection. In every stitch, I found a piece of myself, and in the final creation, I discovered the wonder of turning yarn into a wearable story. As I embrace the coziness of my finished sweater, I carry with me the memories of a knitting adventure that brought unparalleled joy into my world, my first sweater design!
Happy knitting, and may your needles weave tales of warmth and happiness!
Before you begin knitting, it’s essential to gather the right materials. I used Cascade 220 Superwash for the model sweater. It’s easily accessible, machine washable, and comes in dozens of beautiful colors. You can purchase the yarn for this project here. To be transparent, yes, I do receive a small commision from purchases sing this link but that is what keeps my knitting patterns free on this blog.
Materials and Info
MATERIALS AND INFO
Size: 3, 4 (5, 6) 7, 8 (9, 10) 11, 12 (13, 14)yrs
Materials: Approximately 3, 3 (3, 3) 4, 4 (4, 4) 4, 4, (5, 5) balls of Cascade 220 Superwash Worsted (219y/100g), needle, stitch markers
Needle Size: 7(US) 4.5mm circular needles and dpn, 6(US) 4mm circular and dpn
Gauge (tension): 20sts & 28 rows to make 10cm square, using size 7(US) 4.5mm needles working in stockinette stitch
Chest Measurement: 55, 57 (59, 61) 64, 67 (70, 73) 76, 79 (82, 90) cm
METHOD
Granite Sweater is top down seamless raglan in an easy care yarn with a simple texture. Created for our 2nd child, I wanted a quick knit with a touch of texture to layer easily for him. Granite was my very first sweater design. This newer version is updated for my 5th child. The updated version has better fit on the neck and raglan increases based on what I have learned over the last few years. The new version has the same great aesthetic of the original but with an awesome fit.
Abbreviations can be found on the last page.
Note: choose size based on bust measurement for best fit
GRANITE STITCH PATTERN:
Rounds 1-3 – knit around
Round 4 – (K1, k1b) repeat around
1X1 RIB PATTERN
Row 1 (right side row) – (k1, p1) across Row 2 – knit all the knit stitches, purl all the purl stitches.
RAGLAN INCREASES
Inc row – [k1, m1l, knit to 1 st before next marker, m1r, k1, sm] repeat [to] 3 more times, then continue to end of row/round. 8 sts increased
Youth Granite Sweater Pattern
NECK
Provisional cast on using smaller circular needle: 72, 72 (76, 76) 80, 80 (84, 88) 88, 92 (92, 100) sts. Join in the round.
Work in 1×1 ribbing for 6cms.
Switch to larger needles.
Join hem of collar by knitting the active stitches together with the provisional cast on stitches LOOSELY.
YOKE
Set up row (wrong side) –k30, 30 (32, 32) 34, 34 (36, 38) 38, 40 (40, 44) pm, k6, pm, k30, 30 (32, 32) 34, 34 (36, 38) 38, 40 (40, 44), pm, k6
Begin Granite Stitch Pattern
RAGLAN SHAPING ROWS/ROUNDS
Work raglan increases as described above every other round 13, 14 (13, 14) 13, 16 (15, 16) 16, 15 (18, 17) times, then every 4th round 2, 2 (3, 3) 4, 3 (4, 4) 5, 6 (5, 7) times
Then work 3 rounds without increases
STITCH COUNT CHECK
Once all the raglan and neck increases have been completed you will have 192, 200 (204, 212) 216, 232 (236, 248) 256, 260 (276, 292) sts on your needles divided as follows:
60, 62 (64, 66) 68, 72 (74, 78) 80, 82 (86, 92) sts (front),
36, 38 (38, 40) 40, 44 (44, 46) 48, 48 (52, 54) sts (sleeve),
60, 62 (64, 66) 68, 72 (74, 78) 80, 82 (86, 92) sts (back),
36, 38 (38, 40) 40, 44 (44, 46) 48, 48 (52, 54) sts (sleeve)
DIVIDE FOR SLEEVES
Remove markers as you get to them.
Work across the front sts, place the next 36, 38 (38, 40) 40, 44 (44, 46) 48, 48 (52, 54) sts on a holder or waste yarn (left sleeve), cast on using the backwards loop method 4, 4 (4, 4) 4, 4 (4, 4) 4, 6 (4, 6) sts (left underarm), knit 60, 62 (64, 66) 68, 72 (74, 78) 80, 82 (86, 92) sts (back), place the next 36, 38 (38, 40) 40, 44 (44, 46) 48, 48 (52, 54) sts on a holder or waste yarn (right sleeve), cast on using the backwards loop method 4, 4 (4, 4) 4, 4 (4, 4) 4, 6 (4, 6) sts (right underarm), knit to beginning of round marker. 128, 132 (136, 140) 144, 152 (156, 164) 168, 176 (180, 196) sts
SWEATER BODY
Work in granite stitch pattern until piece measures 19, 20 (21.5, 23) 24, 25.5 (26.5, 28) 29, 30 (31.5, 34.5) cm measuring from underarm.
Switch to smaller circular needle.
Using work in 1×1 rib for 4 cm. Bind off all sts in pattern.
SLEEVES
Keeping in granite stitch pattern as already established, work each sleeve one at a time as follows: Pick up 3, 3 (3, 3) 3, 3 (3, 3) 3, 4 (3, 4) sts from underarm, work 36, 38 (38, 40) 40, 44 (44, 46) 48, 48 (52, 54) sts of the sleeve on the holder, pick up 3, 3 (3, 3) 3, 3 (3, 3) 3, 4 (3, 4) sts from underarm on to U.S. 8 double pointed needles, place marker at center underarm to keep track of the beginning of round. 42, 44 (44, 46) 46, 50 (50, 52) 54, 56 (58, 62) sts
Work 7, 9 (9, 11) 11, 11 (11, 13) 13, 15 (15, 15) rounds.
DECREASES
Decrease 1 st at each side of marker every 12th round 0, 0 (5, 2) 4, 5 (5, 6) 6, 7 (7, 6) times then, 10th round 5, 3 (0, 4) 0, 0 (0, 0) 0, 0 (0, 2) times, then every 8th round 0, 3, (0, 0) 0, 0 (0, 0) 0, 0 (0, 0) [32, 36 (36, 36) 38, 40 (40, 40) 42 , 42 (44, 46) sts].
Continue in granite stitch pattern until sleeve measures 18, 20 (21.5, 23.5) 24.5, 25.5 (27, 29) 30.5, 32 (32.5, 35) (or desired length) measuring from underarm.
CUFF
Switch to smaller dpn needles
Work in 1×1 rib for 4 cm.
Bind off in pattern.
FINISHING
Weave in all ends and block as desired.
Abbreviations
K – knit
P – purl
PM – place marker
SM – slip marker
K2tog -knit 2 stitches together
SSK – slip, slip, knit the slipped sts together
M1L – With left needle pick up strand between 2 stitches front to back. Knit through back loop
M1R – With left needle pick up strand between 2 stitches back to front. Knit through front loop
K1B- Knit in row below, inserting right needle into the st in the row below the next st. Knit this st as well as the stitch above it on left needle.
Download Youth Granite Sweater PDF
