If You Have A Spare Moment…

…which you probably don’t, it being barely a fortnight to Christmas Day. But I thought I would share this little pattern, which came from the Knitting Group I belonged to about 7 years ago. It only takes an evening to make one of these cute little jumpers [Bob bent some copper wire into hangers for them] They look very sweet on the tree.

Mini-Sweater

Materials needed:
Size 2.75mm needles, plus 4ply yarn ( a plain colour is recommended so the pattern shows) OR omit cable pattern and knit in stripes. Sewing needle for making up.
Optional -heavy gauge wire and pliers for a hanger
Stitch tension is not important
Cable pattern: 2 stitch Cable (2stC): Knit 2 stitches together leaving them on the left needle, then knit in the right hand stitch again, slide to right needle
Cast on 24 stitches
Row 1-4: K1, P1 across
Row 5: P2, *K2, P4* across ending with a K2, P2
Row 6: Purl
Row 7: P2, *2stC, P 4*, repeat across ending with a 2stC, P2
Row 8: Purl
Rows 9 - 24: Repeat Rows 5 - 8, four more times
Row 25: Work Row 5 and cast on 8 stitches
Row 26: Work row 6 and cast on 8 stitches (40 sts.)
Row 27: K 2, P 8, *2stC, P4*3 times, 2stC, P8, K2
Row 28: K2, P36, K2
Row 29: K2, P 8, *K2, P4* 3 times, K2, P8, K2
Row 30: same as row 28
Row 31: same as row 27
Row 32: same as row 28
Row 33: K2, P8, K2, P2, *K1, P1* 6 times, P2, K2, P8, K2
Row 34: same as 28
Row 35: K2, P8, 2stC, P2, *K1, P1* 6 times, P2, 2st.C, P8, K2
Row 36: same as row 28
Row 37: Same as row 33
Row 38: same as row 28
Row 39: K2, P8, 2stC, P2, cast off 12, P2, 2stC, P8, K2
Row 40: K2, P12, Cast on 12, P12, K2
You now have knitted half the ornament. Work from row 40 to row 1 again to knit the second side of your sweater. On rows 25 and 26 you’ll of course be casting off the 8 sleeve stitches instead of casting on and you’ll cast off the 24 stitches when you’ve worked down to row 1. Seam up your sides and sleeve underarms when completed.

If you get bored on Boxing Day, you could always make some for next year!
UPDATE; please see Fishcake's comment below and my reply about MORE Christmas Jumper Stuff