Zippered Cardigans for Kids from Color by Kristin

The second kid's sweater I wanted to design for my new book Color By Kristin was a derivation of an old cardigan I made for Julia when she was a toddler. I remember knitting it in so many places - at her physical therapy sessions, at doctor's appointments, at school IEP meetings. That little sweater traveled everywhere with me. I sized it huge for her knowing she would grow. I knew it was going to take me a long time to knit so I wanted to make sure she got a few years out of it. I think it may have taken me over a year to get the little cardigan done.

Sadly, I don't have many photos of Julia in the cardigan but I did dig up this one holding her first kittens Ginger and Cookie (who is now sadly deceased due to the coyotes around here).


When she first started wearing it, the zippered cardigan was like a coat and was down to her knees. Julia kept growing and she kept wearing the sweater. Everywhere we went, people loved the pullover. Eventually it morphed into this design that I did for Interweave although it is much different - less Fair Isle and a pullover with cables. I called it "Stop Traffic Circles Pullover" because as Julia walked around in her version, people constantly stopped us, asking me if I made the sweater. You can buy the "Stop Traffic" pattern here on Interweave's website.

Next it morphed into the Seeing Dots Zippered Cardigan made in Pretty Pink Julia Yarn - a much easier version with polka dots made with embroidery. The zipper pull had fun pom poms attached to it. Too bad Julia didn't get to wear that sweater around town.

You can buy the Seeing Dots cardigan pattern on Interweave's on-line store here. Julia's Seeing Dots Zippered Cardigan was done when my friend Pam Allen was the editor of Interweave Knits. It was so popular that it then morphed into a woman's version which was a web exclusive design and doesn't seem to be for sale on their website. (What's up with that Interweave? Add it please!)


And so now, here is the next version - The Book Nook Cardigan.


It is made in my Julia Yarn (as are all the sweaters in Color By Kristin). This time, the border has a picot trim. The edgings are made in multiple garter stitch ridges. I used the girly colors of Magenta, Espresso, Lady's Mantle, and Blue Thyme. The border has a bit of embroidery in the form of French Knots. I used a separating zipper for the closure.

Here is the swatch of the pattern without the French knots - it gives you a better idea of the colors and the pattern.


If you are wondering how to insert a separating zipper into a cardigan, check out my tutorial here on my blog - Separating Zipper Tutorial.

So, are you all sick of the previews yet? There are more to come. Hope to catch up with some of you in Hartford at Stitches! And as always, you can purchase an autographed copy of Color By Kristin here on my website. Thank you for your continuing support.