Velociraptor Dinosaur Sweater

Velociraptor Dinosaur Sweater by Linda Moorhouse

What Is Being Made

This is a child's knitted sweater featuring a Velociraptor dinosaur design. The garment is a classic pullover style with a round neckline and drop sleeves, available in four sizes to fit chest measurements of 24, 26, 28, and 30 inches. The sweater combines a solid-colored body with an intarsia motif of a Velociraptor dinosaur measuring 11 inches long by 8½ inches high, created using 60 stitches across 64 rows.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to construct the garment:

• Intarsia knitting is used to incorporate the Velociraptor motif into the sweater body, allowing the dinosaur design to be knitted directly into the fabric using multiple colors
• Stocking stitch forms the primary fabric texture throughout the sweater, providing a smooth, classic finish
• Ribbed edging creates the cuff and waistband details, with alternating knit and purl stitches (knit 1, purl 1 pattern) worked on smaller needles to provide elasticity
• Shoulder shaping is achieved through strategic cast-offs at the beginning of alternate rows, creating a fitted shoulder line
• Drop sleeve construction allows for a relaxed, comfortable fit in the arm area

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch and purl stitch form the foundation of the ribbed edging
• Stocking stitch (alternating rows of knit and purl) creates the main sweater fabric
• Cast-on and cast-off stitches are used to begin and finish the knitted pieces, with specific cast-off sequences for shoulder shaping (8-9-9-10 stitches followed by 8-8-10-11 stitches depending on size)

Materials and Tools

The sweater is knitted using Stylecraft Life double knitting yarn in a DK weight, which is a medium-weight yarn suitable for creating garments with good drape and definition. Yarn quantities vary by size: 600 yards (200g) for the smallest size, 900 yards (300g) for the two middle sizes, and 1200 yards (400g) for the largest size. The main color forms the body of the sweater, while oddments of contrasting yarn are used to knit the Velociraptor motif.

The project requires two sizes of metric needles: 3.25mm and 4mm. The smaller 3.25mm needles are used for the ribbed edging to create a tight, elastic finish, while the larger 4mm needles are used for the main body of the sweater worked in stocking stitch. The tension is established at 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches when working stocking stitch on 4mm needles, ensuring the finished garment achieves the correct measurements.

Pattern Structure

The back piece is constructed by casting on between 67 and 81 stitches depending on size, beginning with ribbed edging worked on 3.25mm needles before switching to 4mm needles for the main stocking stitch body. The pattern includes detailed shaping instructions for the shoulders and neckline, with the center stitches held on a stitch holder for later neckband construction. The front piece mirrors the back with appropriate shaping adjustments to accommodate the round neckline.