PATTERN OF THE MONTH FEBRUARY

 

              Knitted version                                        Crochet Version

This garment was designed in response to the need for an outer garment for older children to wear over whatever clothes they own, during the cold season in South Africa.  It is meant to be a loose-fitting, ‘boxy’ outer sweater – comfortable enough that it can even be slept in on very cold nights.

If you can knit or crochet a square, you can make a GO-OVER!!! It requires no skill beyond that of a beginner-level knitter.

BASIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIZE 8-14. (SIZE 4-6 IN BRACKETS)

Since this garment is designed primarily to provide warmth, we suggest using worsted weight or chunky yarn and garter stitch, if knitting or single crochet if crocheting…basically any stitch in either method that will produce a fairly tight weave.

FRONT AND BACK

Knit or crochet eight 10” squares (size 4-6 make 8” squares)  See General Instructions below if you prefer to work front and back in one piece.

Join 4 for back and 4 for front (leaving top 5” (31/2” for size 4-6) of front unstitched for neck opening)

Join front to back at shoulder (leaving 4” on each side at neck edge unstitched for neck opening)

SLEEVES

Knit or crochet eight 8” squares (7” squares for size 4-6). See General instructions if you prefer to work sleeve in one piece.

Join 4 squares for each sleeve.

Join sleeve to front and back at shoulder making sure to stretch sleeve out enough to create 16” (14”) armhole opening

Sew up underarm seam

WRIST OPENING

The wrist opening can be left as is (which allows a cuff to be rolled back if the sleeves are long for the child).  It can also be drawn in using various methods.

(1) the simplest method – using 2 double strands of yarn, do a running stitch around     wrist, draw up and tie off

(2)Crochet version – SC into every other stitch for 2 rows, do 2 rows even

(3)Knitted version – Pick up and knit every other stitch along sleeve edge. Row 2 – Knit 2 together for entire row.  Row 3-5 – Knit

GENERAL COMMENTS

If you prefer, the front and back can be worked 10x20” panels (8x16” for size 4-6), or the front and back can be worked in 20” squares (16” squares for size 4-6).

Just remember to divide your work at the top of the front panel to allow for the front neck slit.

Sleeves can also be worked in one piece – 16” square (14” for size 4-6)

The number of stitches and hook or needle size required will depend on the yarn you are using.  Generally worsted weight is best on 5.00 mm needles or a 5.00mm hook.  For chunky weight – 6.00 mm needles or hook work best.

Don’t worry if your GO-OVER is a bit bigger or smaller – FOR SURE IT WILL FIT SOMEONE WHO NEEDS IT.

The most important thing about the GO-OVER is that it has large enough armhole and neck openings to accommodate hoodies or whatever else underneath.

Have fun with this pattern – be as creative as you like with colours, stripes etc,  It is meant to be simple and basic – there is NO right or wrong.

Please visit the album GO-OVER VARIATIONS in our photo section to see the many variations that have been made.

WHEN MAILING YOUR GO-OVER….. PLEASE BE SURE TO MARK THE CUSTOMS SLIP “KNITTING FOR CHARITY – NO COMMERCIAL VALUE” SO THERE WILL BE NO DUTY CHARGES INCURRED IN SOUTH AFRICA.