Knit a children’s sweater with lace butterflies with this pattern by @ileradebu

09/28/2022

Esti Juango @ileradebu is the designer behind the charming Butterfly Sweater knit with Katia Basic Merino. She designed the Butterfly Sweater with Katia Basic Merino. The design is a sweet children’s sweater with lace butterflies and bobbles. 

Esti likes to think of garments that are attractive to kids, so that when they see them in their wardrobe, they will want to wear them. That’s why she chose this motif: who doesn’t like butterflies? 

Esti has been knitting for more than 15 years. There is always a knitting project with her wherever she goes. Knitting is how she escapes, as well as the source of her creativity. An industrial engineer by trade, her day job has nothing to do with this world! She’s taken a variety of pattern designing and writing courses, as well as numerous technique courses - after all, there is always something more to learn in knitting. 

Esti has recently started to publish her own designs independently under the name @ileradebu. Her daughters are her main inspiration to create unique clothes for all to enjoy.

Materials you will need to knit this butterfly sweater

Katia Basic Merino: 2 (3, 3, 4, 4) balls. 

US6/4 mm knitting needles

Stitches and techniques used in this pattern

2×2 rib - *k2, p2*, rep ** to end of r. 

Bobble

k2tog – knit 2 stitches together

lace stitch – see chart below

rev st st – Reverse stockinette stitch: purl the RS and knit the WS

side seam – Place both pieces side by side, with the right side facing up, pass the needle between the first and second stitches and pull the yarn, move to the other piece and do the same. Repeat joining both pieces until the end of the seam.

sl1 k1 psso – slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over.

sl1 k2tog psso – slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over.

yo – yarn over

Abbreviations

BOR – beginning of row 

k – knit 

m – marker 

p – purl 

pm – place marker 

R and r(s) – row(s) 

rep– repeat 

st(s) – stitch(es)

Gauge 

With US6/4 mm needles in stockinette stitch 

18 sts and 25 rows = 4’’ x 4’’ (10 cm x 10 cm)

Available sizes and measurements

5 children’s sizes: 4 (6, 8, 10, 12) years 

The design in the photograph corresponds to size: 6 years

• Bust: 14 (15.3, 16.5, 17.75, 19)’’/36 (39, 42, 45, 48) cm 
• Length: 16 (17.75, 19.25, 21, 22.5)’’/41 (45, 49, 53, 57) cm 
• Neckline width: 5.5 (6, 6.25, 6.75, 7)’’/14 (15, 16, 17, 18) cm 
• Shoulder width: 4.3 (4.75, 5, 5.5, 6)’’/11 (12, 13, 14, 15) cm 
• Sleeve length: 10.75 (12.25, 13.75, 15.25, 17)’’/27 (31, 35, 39, 43) cm
• Sleeve width: 14 (15, 15.75, 16.5, 17.25)’’/36 (38, 40, 42, 44) cm 
• Cuff width: 7.5 (8, 8.25, 8.75, 9)’’/19 (20, 21, 22, 23) cm

Notes about the construction of this sweater 

This sweater is worked in 3 parts: the back, the front, and the sleeves. 

Work the entire sweater in reverse stockinette stitch, except when stated otherwise.

Back 

With Katia Basic Merino and US/6 4 mm needles, cast on 64 (70, 76, 82, 88) sts and work in 2×2 rib. Start the rib with k2 and end with p2 (k2, p2, k2, p2). 

When ribbing measures 1.6’’ (4 cm), continue working in rev st st increasing 1 st only on the first r until piece measures 15 (16.5, 18, 19.75, 21.25)’’/38 (42, 46, 50, 54) cm. 65 (71, 77, 83, 89) sts 

Shoulders 

Bind off on both sides, at BOR: 

4 years) 7 sts on 1st r and 6 sts on next 2 rs.

6 years) 7 sts on first 3 rs.

8 years) 8 sts on first 2 rs and 7 sts on 3rd

1o years) 9 sts on 1st r and 8 sts on next 2 rs.

12 years) 9 sts on first 3 rs.

Neckline 

1.25’’ (3 cm) from beginning of shoulders, bind off remaining 27 (29, 31, 33, 35) sts. 

Front 

With Katia Basic Merino and US6/4 mm needles, cast on 64 (70, 76, 82, 88) sts and work in 2×2 rib. Start the rib with k2 and end with p2 (k2, p2, k2, p2). 

When front measures 1.6’’ (4 cm), continue working in rev st st increasing 1 st only on the first r. 

Continue working as follows throughout the chart: 

4 years) *24 sts in rev st st, pm, chart, pm, 24 sts in rev st st*, rep** twice more.

6 years) Work 2 rs in rev st st and continue: *27 sts in rev st st, m, chart, m, 27 sts in rev st st*, rep** twice more. Work 4 rs in rev st st. 

8 years) Work 6 rs in rev st st. *30 sts in rev st st, m, chart, m, 30 sts in rev st st. Work 4 rs in rev st st,* rep ** twice more. Work 2 rs in rev st st. 

10 years) Work 6 rs in rev st st. *33 sts in rev st st, m, chart, m, 33 sts in rev st st. Work 8 rs in rev st st,* rep ** twice more. 

12 years) Work 10 rs in rev st st. *36 sts in rev st st, m, chart, m, 36 sts in rev st st. Work 10 rs in rev st st,* rep ** twice more.

Neckline 

Bind off 11 (13, 15, 17, 19) center sts and continue each side separately, binding off on the neckline side at the BOR: 

• R1: Bind off 3 sts. 
• R2: Bind off 2 sts. 
• R3: Bind off 1 st. 
• Rep R3 twice more. 

Shoulders 

0.75’’ (2 cm) from beginning of neckline, bind off on the left side, at each BOR: 

• 4 years) R1: 7 sts, R2-3: 6 sts.
• 6 years) R1-3: 7 sts.
• 8 years) R1-2: 8 sts, R3: 7 sts.
• 10 years) R1: 9 sts, R2-3: 8 sts.
• 12 years) R1-3: 9 sts.

Finish the other side in the same manner, but reverse the shaping.

SLEEVES 

• With US6/4 mm needles, cast on 34 (36, 38, 40, 42) sts. Start the rib with k2 and end with k2 (p2, k2, p2, k2). 
• When piece measures 1.6’’ (4 cm), continue working in rev st st, increasing 31 (33, 35, 37, 39) sts evenly distributed across R1. 65 (69, 73, 77, 81) sts  
• Work in rev st st for 4 (5.5, 7, 8.75, 10.25)’’/10 (14, 18, 22, 26) cm. 
• Make the butterfly: 24 (26, 28, 30, 32) sts in rev st st, chart, 24 (26, 28, 30, 32) sts in rev st st.
• Work in rev st st until the piece measures 10.75 (12.25, 13.75, 15.25, 17)’’/27 (31, 35, 39, 43) cm in total and bind off all sts. 
• Repeat for the other sleeve. 

ASSEMBLY AND FINISHES 

Side seam the right shoulder. 

Neckline 

• With US6/4 mm needles, pick up all sts around the neckline, increasing or decreasing as needed through R1 until you have: 64 (70, 76, 80, 84) sts 
• Work 2×2 rib for 1.25’’ (3 cm) and bind off all sts. 
• Sew the left shoulder and neckline. 
• Sew sleeves and sides.

How do you think your little one will like their beautiful butterfly sweater? We’re sure they’ll want to wear it all the time! What a beautiful gift to wear something your momma made for you!

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