Looking to make adorable sweaters for your little ones using your circular knitting machine? You’re in the right place! Crafting a kids sweater pattern for circular knitting machines can be incredibly rewarding—not to mention quicker than traditional hand-knitting. Whether you’re using a Sentro 48 or an Addi KingSize 46, these projects are not only beginner-friendly but also a fun way to personalize garments for children.
Sweaters for kids are an amazing project because they knit up fast, and there’s room to experiment with colors and textures. Plus, who doesn’t love seeing a little one wrapped up in something handmade with love? If you’re new to machine knitting, don’t worry! I’ll walk you through the steps and patterns that work perfectly for small-sized sweaters. Let’s jump in and get knitting!
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Can you knit a full sweater on a circular knitting machine?
Yes, you can! Circular knitting machines like Sentro and Addi KingSize are great for small sweater parts like the body, sleeves, or neck. While you may need to join pieces by hand or crochet, the machine significantly speeds up the process. You will be using the Panel mode of your circular knitting machine.
I´m making a Size 8/10 yo, for any other size purchase the pattern here:
Which yarn is best for kids’ sweaters?
Soft, washable yarns like acrylic blends, polyester, or merino wool in sizes DK or Worsted are ideal. These are gentle on the skin and easy to care for, making it perfect for children’s clothing.
What size circular knitting machine is needed for kids’ sweaters?
A 46 needle Addi or 48 needle Sentro knitting machine works best for children’s sweater bodies. Addi KingSize and Sentro 48 are popular models for knitting sweater panels and sleeves. I did use the Sentro 40 for the sleeves because it makes the perfect width tube for child sweaters.
Sentro 48 knitting machine is the best option to make kids jumpers and cardigans
Can beginners knit sweaters on circular knitting machines?
Absolutely! Circular knitting machines are beginner-friendly tools. The key is to follow simple patterns, experiment with swatches, and get familiar with the process. But if you need to learn how to make panels for this pattern, I have a 2-hour course where you can learn how to make them.
Material Needed for a Kids Sweater Pattern for Circular Knitting Machines
- Circular knitting machine
- Plastic markers
- 200 – 250 gr of DK or Worsted yarn
- Crochet hook 4.5 mm
- Scissors
- Measurement Tape
- Tapestry needle
I love this variegated yarn as well !
Kids Sweater Pattern for Circular Knitting Machines Instructions
Knitting the Sweater Body on a Circular Machine
Measure the child’s chest and knit the panels accordingly, for a 9-10 yo I´m making a panel with 45 st and 90 rows for each side of the sweater.
Use the 46 or 48 needle machine to knit two flat panels (front and back), the back panel will be casted off using a tapesty needle and some waste yarn in a contrasting color.
For the front panel, after making 90 rows, on the next row Work 10 st., remove the yarn and cast off 25 stitches using a tapestry needle and waste yarn, add a new yarn strand to Work the last 10 st. Make 10 rows for each side, work one side at a time.
Making Sleeves with the Circular Machine
Calculate the sleeve length to match the child’s arm measurement. The gauge for this yarn is 4″ or 10 cm = to 20 rows so you will use this to calculate the amount of rows needed. Measure from the under arm to the wrist and remember we will make 1″ or 2.5 cm of crochet ribbing.
Knit two narrow tubes for the sleeves using a Sentro 40 or a panel with 40 st.
You can add stripes or contrasting cuffs to make the sleeves playful!
Ribbing for the sleeves and the other parts of the sweater
For the cuffs of the sleeves make 1 Sl St in the 1st knitted loop then 1 Sl st through the next 2 loops to decrease the number of st. in half
Round 1: CH2 DC in each st. and Sl St in the 2nd CH to finish.
Round 2-3: CH2 DC2 Front Post DC1 and repeat around Sl St in the 2nd CH to finish.
Creating the Neckline and Ribbing
For ribbing around the neck, you can either crochet or use hand-knitting. In this tutorial, I´ll be making a crochet ribbing.
Assembling the Sweater
Place markers on the body panels for the sleeves placement.
Use a tapestry needle to sew the sides of the body panels together first leaving the sleeves space open, then the shoulders and lastly the sleeves to body after making all the ribbings.
Make sure the seams are neat and stretchable to ensure the sweater is comfortable for the child to wear.
Mattress Stitch
This stitch will be used to seam the body panels together!
Graft Stitch
This stitch will be used to seam the shoulders !
Adding Personal Touches to Kids Sweater Pattern for Circular Knitting Machines
Try using color-changing like I did to create a unique pattern without much effort. For this size, I changed colors every 30 rows for the body and every 20 rows for the sleeves. You can divide by 3 if making any other number of rows.
Embellish the Kids Sweater Pattern for Circular Knitting Machines with fun patches, pom-poms, or small pockets.
Conclusion: Knit Cozy Kids Sweaters with Ease!
Creating a kids sweater pattern for circular knitting machines is not only practical but also fun and creative. With a bit of patience and practice, you’ll be crafting sweaters that fit perfectly and bring joy to little ones. Whether you’re knitting gifts, garments for your own children, or even thinking of starting a small business, these sweater projects are a great way to showcase your skills.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your machine, pick out some yarn, and dive into the world of knitting machine sweaters today!
Follow the video for a detailed explanation
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Hi! I’m Fabiana, a crochet and knitwear designer with a passion for creating beautiful, functional pieces. I love experimenting with textures, colors, and patterns to craft everything from cozy sweaters to crochet swimsuit. On my YouTube channel, I share tutorials, tips, and behind-the-scenes looks at my design process. Crochet and knitting are more than hobbies—they’re my way of life.
Thanks for getting to know me!
Happy knitting!
