Knitting Patterns / August 6, 2026

Back To School Sweater – Knitting Pattern for Kids (12 Sizes)

Hi friends!

This post includes everything you need to know about my Back To School Sweater, a charming drop-shoulder sweater with a slouchy fit and an eye-catching striping pattern. It’s also my first pattern for kids – the first design in the Knits ‘N Knots Tots category!

Get the Lion Brand Knit Kit here (in your desired colourway)!

Before we begin, here are some quick links for you:

Find the PDF version on Ravelry, Etsy, and my website.
Add your finished project to Ravelry here!
Shop the recommended yarn, Lion Brand Cottino here!
- Shop the full Lion Brand knit kit here (comes with all yarn required in your chosen colourways + a FREE copy of the PDF pattern)!
For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!

Shop my first book – Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear – here!

Shop my new book – Summer Crochet: 19 Delicate Designs with Simple Lace and Timeless Silhouettes – here!

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About

Look no further for a charming, slouchy drop-shoulder sweater with a relaxed fit and an eye-catching striping pattern. Seemingly endless color combinations will make each version uniquely your own, while the striking colorwork is a lot of fun to knit. Each section of color blends beautifully with the next for a fool-proof, cohesive color palette every time. Designed using breathable and durable natural fibers with an expansive size range for all the kiddos in your life.

Materials

Yarn Used: DK—Lion Brand Cottino in 4 colorways: The larger sample shown uses “Limestone,” “Azul,” “Sedona,”and “Mineral.” The smaller sample shown uses ”Cider,” “Ranger,” ”Teddy,” and “Goose Down.”

55% Cotton, 45% Merino Wool
296 yds (271 m) per 3.5 oz (100 g) skein
Find this yarn on lionbrand.com or visit yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes available in your region.

Yardage Required:

12 sizes, written in the following format: (6-12mo, 12-18mo, 2T, 3T) (4T, 5, 6, 8) (10, 12, 14, 16)

(1, 1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 2, 2) skein(s) of each colorway
(100, 145, 155, 160) (170, 175, 185, 230) (270, 285, 290, 325) yds each
(91, 133, 142, 146) (155, 160, 169, 210) (247, 260, 265, 297) m each

Yarn Substitution: Substitute Cottino with any similar category 3, DK weight yarn that matches gauge. For a similar look and feel, choose a cotton blend. Natural, non-synthetic fibers will produce the most breathable garment and prevent the child from overheating. Always swatch before beginning to ensure you are happy with the resulting fabric.

Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, 2 removable/locking stitch markers, 1 distinct fixed stitch marker to mark BOR, scrap yarn or stitch wire/holders for placing stitches on hold

Needles

Main Gauge Needle: Size U.S. 6 (4 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Ribbing Needle: Size U.S. 4 (3.5 mm) or size that is approximately 0.5 mm smaller than main gauge needle

With the following suggested cord lengths:

12-16” (30-40 cm) cord for parts of the front panel and neckband
32-40” (80-100 cm) cord for yoke and body, or cord long enough to accommodate all body sts for your size
8-9” (20-23 cm) circulars, DPNs, or your preferred method of smaller circumference knitting (in your smaller ribbing needle size) for completing the sleeves. You can also use the magic loop using a longer cord length, if preferred.

Gauge

4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) = approximately 24 sts and 34 rows in stockinette stitch using main gauge (larger) needle

Helpful Links

Pattern Notes

Skill Level: Intermediate

Sizing: This sweater is written in twelve sizes as follows: (6-12mo, 12-18mo, 2T, 3T) (4T, 5, 6, 8) (10, 12, 14, 16). Make sure to follow the numbers for your size only. View full sizing chart on next page.

Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each row/round in italics. If no stitch count is given, there has been no change since the previous row/round. If only one number is provided, it applies to all sizes.

Construction: This sweater is worked from the top down, beginning with the back panel knit flat while increasing at the edges to shape the shoulders. The front shoulders are then picked up directly from the back panel, shaped at the neckline, and joined after casting on stitches for the front neck. The body is then joined in the round while casting on stitches for the underarms, and the sleeves are knit directly onto the armhole openings on the body. A simple 1×1 ribbing is worked at the bottom hem, neckline, and sleeve cuffs. The neckline is folded down for a clean look.

Managing Multiple Yarns: When knitting your stripes, carry your yarn up the side of your work until you are done working the 6-stripe sequence, then cut it, leaving a tail long enough to weave in.

Changing Colors: Each stripe is comprised of 2 rounds. I knit the first round of the stripe normally. When beginning the second round, I lifted the right leg of the stitch below onto the lefthand needle and knit it together with the first stitch on the lefthand needle. With 2-row stripes, it does not produce a totally seamless color change, but produces what looks like a faux seam.

You can also try slipping the first stitch of the second row, and knitting the rest of the stitches as usual. This creates almost seamless rounds, except the columns of stitches that you slip will have 1 taller stitch per colored stripe instead of two. Any method of color change that you prefer can be used here, so long as you are consistent throughout your sweater.

Terms + Abbreviations

BOR: beginning of round
Circ: circumference
K: knit
K2tog: knit 2 stitches together (right-slanting decrease)
- Insert your right needle into the next 2 stitches knitwise, treating them as 1, and knit them together.
M1L: make 1 left
- Lift the strand between stitches from front to back and knit through the back loop.
M1Lp: make 1 left on the purl side
- Lift the strand between stitches from front to back and purl through the back loop.
M1R: make 1 right
- Lift the strand between stitches from back to front and knit through the front loop.
M1Rp: make 1 right on the purl side
- Lift the strand between stitches from back to front and purl through the front loop.
mo: months old
P: purl
rep: repeat
rnd(s): round(s)
RS: right side
SSK: slip slip knit
stockinette: knit all RS rows, purl all WS rows
st(s): stitch(es)
WS: wrong side

Tester Photos

Kirti from @prokastiknitter made size 6. She used Hobby Lobby Light DK in Dark Grey, Baby Pink, Light Grey, and Peppermint (variegated). She recommends it as a great yarn to use and widely available where she lives in India!

Thasanee from @craftandstitchco_ made size 2T. She used Hobbii Solid Twisted in colours: 118, 119, 120, and 121, but said she wouldn’t recommend others use it for this pattern.

Lauren from @brixtonscrafts made size 12-18mo. She used Lion Brand Superwash Merino for her sweater!

Maddie from @yarncrave made size 4T. She used Yarn Bee Sweet Delight in Baby Blue, Sun-Kissed, Flannel, and Chocolate. She recommends it for this sweater!

Ava from @avasmajor made size 6-12mo. She used Sirdar Loveful in Enhanced Stone, Supercharged White, Filtered Lilac, and Augmented Aqua. She recommends this wool blend!

Becca from @poppy__co made size 6-12mo. She used Sirdar Stories in city break (grey), camping (green), sandy toes (cream), and moonlight (blue).

Tanya from @tanya.rashod made size 16 for her 13 year old. She used Turkish and Italian bobbin yarn in several strands to adjust the thickness to the right gauge. She used colours: Dark Grey, Military Green, Light Green, and Beige.

Monika from @January_mons made size 12-18mo. She used Alize Baby Best yarn in yellow 250, white 55, blue 40, and green 463. She recommends it as it’s baby-friendly and not itchy.

Brittany from @pins_and_needlesxo made size 4T. She used the recommended Lion Brand Cottino.

Kat from @kef.knits made size 10. She used Lion Brand Cottino in colourways: Turmeric, Onyx, Sweatshirtm Straw. She recommends Cottino and says, “it is a dream to work up!”

Cathy from @unifork2 made size 16. She used Bernat Soft Baby Cottin in colourways: Jade Frost, White, Black, Pale Periwinkle.

Stéphany from @maiison.rouge.tricot made size 8. She doesn’t recommend her yarn choice, but she used Brooklyn Tweed Dapple. Her gauge was off and produced a sweater too big, about 4″ larger than intended.

#BackToSchoolSweater

Thanks so much for reading!

Shop the full Back To School Sweater knit kit here (comes with all yarn required for your size in your chosen colorway + FREE copy of the PDF pattern)!

Find the pattern PDF in these places:

On Ravelry

On Etsy

On My website

For free in the Back To School Sweater knit kit here!

Happy making!

Janine

You can find my full print book, Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs For Everyday Wear on the shelves of all major retailers or see purchasing options here.

Shop my new book – Summer Crochet: 19 Delicate Designs with Simple Lace and Timeless Silhouettes – here!

For exclusive discounts on all new patterns, join the Knits ‘N Knots newsletter list here!