Ladybug Sweater

Ladybug Sweater is a simple and basic staple sweater that showcases a cute ladybug design on the front. The body is worked back and forth, while sleeves are worked in the round. The front is worked from the bottom up and the back from the top down. Ladybug Sweater is knit using 2 strands of Merino held together throughout. You begin working bottom up and back and forth, starting with front hem. You continue with stockinette stitch and colorwork back and forth over the front, and shape for armholes. Stitches are bound off for the neckline and each shoulder is subsequently worked separately back and forth until shoulder pieces are joined with new cast on stitches at back neck. You then work the back top down to the hem, back and forth. Side seams are grafted and stitches are picked up for the sleeves which are worked in the round down to the cuffs.The sweater is finished with a folded ribbed neckband. The colorwork pattern is charted only and is worked using the intarsia technique. **Sizes:** 1 (2, 4, 6, 8, 10) years **Finished measurements:** Length from shoulder to edge: approx. 33 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52) cm [13 (14¼, 15¾, 17¼, 19, 20½)]”; Chest circumference: approx. 60 (68, 76, 80, 86, 94) cm [23½ (26¾, 30, 31½, 33¾, 37)]”; Sleeve length from underarm to edge: approx. 21 (25, 29, 33, 37, 40) cm [8¼ (9¾, 11½, 13, 14½, 15¾)]” **Yarn:** MC: 2 strands Knitting for Olive Merino (250 m [273 yd] / 50 g [1.8 oz]), fingering-weight yarn, 3 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6) balls. CC1, 2 and 3: 2 strands Knitting for Olive Merino, either 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1) ball of each contrast color or approx. 5 g of leftover yarn in each contrast color.  Sample is in Merino in Oatmeal colorway (MC) and Pomegranate (CC1), Licorice (CC2) and Cream (CC3) colorways. **Needles:** 3.5 mm / US4 and 4.5 mm / US7 circular needles, or in size to obtain gauge **Gauge (after blocking):** 20 sts and 29 rows = 10 cm [4”] in st st with 4.5 mm / US7 needles **Notions:** Stitch markers, waste yarn or stitch holders, tapestry needle, row counter (optional)