Knitted Sweater Jacket for Girls in Garter Stitch

 For those knitters who enjoy the simplicity of the garter stitch, this delightful sweater jacket pattern is just right for you.  While the original pattern calls for a broad color block at the bottom, I have made the piece in both a solid blue tweed and in a  three way color block with two shades of pink and a band of white. Both sweaters were knitted in worsted weight yarn with a #8 needle. Pattern sizes run from 4 to 12. The Sawtelle Cardigan pattern was designed by Amanda Keep Williams. To get free pattern register at annies catalog.com.  I had retrieved the pattern from an earlier source, and so I just went through the procedure and it works.  The original piece was made in a size 4T and ran true to size.  As my granddaughter has several sweaters in 4T, I wanted to make the next size to plan growth during the winter season.The pink and white sweater is roomy as she is only wearing a t-shirt and shorts under the outer garment.  When she puts on a couple of pounds and is wearing warmer winter garments, she will fill out the sweater.  My sweetheart put up with all of our modeling directions.  The pose I like best has her giggling as she gazed up at her daddy making silly faces.

---

The sweater is almost seamless since you cast on enough stitches to cover the back and both fronts. A garter stitch is used thorough the sweater.  After you knit the body up to the armholes on circular needles, you divide for the the back and armholes. There is no extra trim for this sweater.  The garter stitch comes right to the edge.  The buttonholes are made right into the garter fabric.  After the sections are completed, you seam the shoulders together.  The armholes are knit in the round.  In order to achieve this look when knitting in the round, you have to alternate knit and purl rows.  When you knit flat, you knit all the rows.  This part was the only tricky part to the sweater, but after I got the hang of the procedure, my knitting went smoothly.

When I knit the sweater in a solid color, I followed the directions and began picking up the collar stitches with the right side facing. This step left the join on the inside of the sweater where you could not see it.  However, when I chose to use a contrasting color for the collar, I had to start with the wrong side facing so that the join would be concealed as the collar lay over it.  

This sweater jacket provides a basic canvas for trying out different combinations of yarn colors.  Just remember to end your last row of a color section with a knitted row so that you get a smooth transition.  Otherwise, you will have a line dashes when you turn your piece to knit on the reverse side.  If you choose to use a self striping yarn you can avoid this situation.
I am sure that I will knit this sweater again for other children in different colors and sizes.  It has become part of my basic knitting repertoire.

As always I appreciate your reflections and feedback.  I welcome you to join meonmny stitching journey.