Hula Hoop Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Hula Hoop Cardigan in Rowan Summerlite DK

What is Being Made

The Hula Hoop Cardigan is a children's knitted cardigan designed by Martin Storey. This garment is sized to fit children ages 3-4 through 11-12 years, with actual chest measurements ranging from 53-56 cm up to 76-79 cm. The cardigan features a distinctive hula hoop pattern and includes a hood, making it a practical layering piece for young wearers. The design is fastened with five metal buttons, each measuring 1.5 cm.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project classified at intermediate difficulty level. The cardigan employs several key shaping techniques including armhole shaping, shoulder shaping, and back neck shaping. The construction involves working separate front and back pieces with careful stitch decreases to create proper garment fit. The pattern includes ribbed edging at the cuffs and hem, which is a fundamental technique for creating neat, elastic finishes on knitwear. The hood construction requires joining stitches from a holder and working additional rows to complete this feature.

Stitches and Pattern Details

The cardigan uses a combination of essential knitting stitches:

• Ribbing: Alternating knit and purl stitches (K1, P1 rib) form the cuff and hem edges, providing elasticity and a professional finish
• Stocking stitch: The main fabric is worked in stocking stitch, which creates a smooth, classic knitted surface
• Pattern work: A charted hula hoop pattern is incorporated into the main body of the garment, adding visual interest and texture
• Decreasing techniques: Strategic decreases are used at armholes, shoulders, and neck edges to shape the garment properly for a child's body
• Cable needle work: A cable needle is listed among the required tools, indicating cable techniques may be incorporated into the pattern design

Materials and Tools

This project is worked with Rowan Summerlite DK yarn, a lightweight double knitting weight suitable for children's garments. The yarn is required in two colors:

• Yarn A - Fuchsia 455: Quantities range from 6 to 11 balls (50gm each) depending on the child's size
• Yarn B - Cantaloupe 456: Quantities range from 1 to 2 balls (50gm each) for contrast ribbing

The knitting needles required include:

• 3¼mm (US 3) needles: One pair for ribbed sections and a circular needle at least 120 cm long for hood and neckband work
• 3¾mm (US 5) needles: One pair for the main pattern sections
• Cable needle: For working cable pattern elements

Tension and Gauge

Achieving proper tension is essential for this project's success. The pattern specifies 25 stitches and 33 rows to 10 cm when measured over the hula hoop pattern using 3¾mm (US 5) needles. For reference, stocking stitch tension is 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm using the same needle size. Matching these gauges ensures the finished cardigan will fit the intended child's measurements accurately.