• Diamonds & Braids Gansey

Diamonds & Braids Gansey

Design by E.J. Slayton

In this issue, the free pattern is a child's sweater sized for 4, 6, 8 and 10 years. Diamonds & Braids Gansey is not fussy or dated. A change in the color of the worsted weight yarn would be suitable for nearly any child in that size range. Designer E. J. Slayton is a master of this type of sweater. The included chart makes the cables and diamonds easy for visual knitters. We suggest you use a good quality yarn for this project, as it's likely to be handed down with love to others after being outgrown again and again! This is a timeless style which will keep kidlets warm for years to come.

Experience Level
Intermediate***

Size
Child’s 4(6)(8)(10) Instructions are given for smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses. When only 1 number is given, it applies to all sizes.

Finished Measurements
Chest: 23(25)(27)(30) inches
Length: 14(15 1/2)(17)(20 1/2) inches
Sleeve length: 10 1/2(12 1/2) (14)(16) inches

Materials

• Brown Sheep Co. Cotton Fleece 80 percent pima cotton/20 percent merino wool worsted weight yarn (215 yds/100g per skein): 3(3)(4)(5) skeins lapis #CW-590
• Size 4 (3.5mm) straight and 16-inch circular needles
• Size 6 (4mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge
• Cable needle
• Stitch markers
• Stitch holders
• Tapestry needle

Gauge
20 sts and 28 rows = 4 inches/ 10cm in diamond patt with larger ndls
To save time, take time to check gauge.

Special Abbreviations
Back Cross (BC): Sl next 2 sts to cn, hold in back, k2, k2 from cn.
    Front Cross (FC): Sl next 2 sts to cn, hold in front, k2, k2 from cn.
    Make 1 (M1): Inc by making a backward loop over right ndl.

Pattern Stitches
A. Diamonds (multiple of 9 sts + 2)
    Row 1 (RS): P2, *k3, p1, k3, p2, rep from * across.
    Row 2: K2, *p3, k1, p3, k2, rep from * across.
    Row 3: P2, *k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p2, rep from * across.
    Row 4: K2, *p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, rep from * across.
    Row 5: P2, *k3, p1, k3, p2, rep from * across.
    Row 6: K2, *p3, k1, p3, k2, rep from * across.
    Row 7: P2, *k7, p2, rep from * across.
    Row 8: K2, *p7, k2, rep from * across.
Rep Rows 1–8 for patt.
B. Aran Braid Cables (panel of 18 sts)
    Row 1 (RS): P2, k2, FC, p2, BC, k2, p2.
     Rows 2 and 4: K2, [p6, k2] twice.
     Row 3: P2, BC, k2, p2, k2, FC, p2.
Rep Rows 1–4 for patt.

Back
With smaller ndls CO 62(66)(74)(78) sts.
    Row 1 (WS): P2, *k2, p2, rep from * across.
    Row 2: K2, *p2, k2, rep from * across.
Rep Rows 1 and 2 until ribbing meas 1 1/2(2)(2)(2) inches from beg, ending with a WS row.
    Next row: Knit, inc 6(8)(6)(8) sts evenly across. (68, 74, 80, 86 sts)
Work in St st for 8(10)(10) (12) rows.
Knit 3 rows. (2 ridges of
garter st)
Set up patt
Next row (RS): K1 (selvage st), pM, p1(0)(0)(1), k7(2)(5)(7), [p2, k7] 2(3)(3)(3) times, pM, p2, [M1, k1] twice, k2, p2, k2, [k1, M1] twice, p2, pM, [k7, p2] 2(3)(3)(3) times, k7(2)(5)(7), p1(0)(0)(1), pM, k1 (selvage st). (72, 78, 84, 90 sts)
    Next row: P1, k1(0)(0)(1), p7(2)(5)(7), [k2, p7] 2(3)(3)(3) times, k2, [p6, k2] twice, [p7, k2]2(3)(3)(3) times, p7(2)(5) (7), k1(0)(0)(1), p1.
Beg patt
Beg and ending as indicated and keeping 1 selvage st at each edge in St st throughout, work in patt from Chart A until piece meas 8 1/2(9 1/2)(10 1/2) (13 1/2) inches from beg, ending with a WS row.
Shape underarms
Maintaining est patt, at beg of next 2 rows, BO 4(5)(6)(7) sts, then dec 1 st at each side [eor] 5 times. (54, 58, 62, 66 sts)
Work even until armhole meas 5 1/2(6)(6 1/2)(7) inches, ending with a WS row. Mark center 32(32)(34)(36) sts for neck, place all sts on holder.

Front
Work as for back until armhole meas 3(3)(3 1/2)(4) inches, ending with a WS row.
Shape neck
Work 15(17)(18)(19) sts in est patt, place center 24(24)(26) (28) sts on holder, join 2nd ball of yarn and complete row.
Continuing to work both sides at once with separate balls of yarn, dec 1 st at each neck edge [eor] 4 times. (11, 13, 14, 15 sts rem for each shoulder)
Work even until front meas same as back at shoulder.
BO front and back shoulder sts tog as follows:
Hold ndls containing shoulder sts parallel, right sides tog; with 3rd ndl, knit first st on front and back ndls tog, *k next st on both ndls tog, BO 1, rep from * until all sts are worked, fasten off. Rep for 2nd shoulder.

Sleeves
With smaller ndls, CO 34(38) (42)(42) sts and work in ribbing as for back until ribbing meas 1 1/2(2)(2)(2) inches from beg, ending with a WS row.
    Next row: Knit, inc 7(7)(7) (9) sts evenly across. (41, 45, 49, 51 sts)
Keeping 2 sts at each edge in St st throughout, knit 3 rows (2 ridges), inc 1 st at each side on next RS row. (43, 47, 51, 53 sts)
Set up patt
Beg and ending as indicated, work in patt from Chart B, inc 1 st each side [every 8th row] 7(7) (8)(10) times. (59, 63, 69, 75 sts)
Continue to work even in est patt until sleeve meas 10 1/2(12 1/2) (14)(16) inches or desired length to underarm, ending with a WS row.
Shape cap
At beg of next 2 rows, BO 4(5)(6)(7) sts, then dec 1 st at each side [eor] 5 times. On last WS row, BO all sts knitwise.

Finishing
Neck band
With smaller 16-inch circular ndl, pick up and k 12(14)(14)(14) sts along left neck edge, work front neck sts from holder, dec 2 sts across top of each cable, pick up and knit 12(14)(14)(14) sts along right neck edge, work back neck sts from holder, dec 2 sts across top of each cable. (72, 76, 80, 84 sts)
Purl 1 rnd, then work in k2, p2 ribbing, centering patt at front neck, until ribbing meas 2 inches. Do not BO.
Fold ribbing to inside and sew loosely to beg of ribbing.
Set sleeves into armholes. Sew sleeve and body underarms. Block lightly.

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