Malus Sweater in Viking Of Norway - UK-2324-2 - Downloadable PDF

Malus Sweater in Viking Garn Bamboo – Children's Knitting Pattern (UK-2324-2)

The Malus Sweater is a charming children's pullover designed by Turid Stapnes and published by Viking of Norway under pattern number UK-2324-2. Knitted in the brand's Bamboo yarn — a lightweight, breathable 50% bamboo and 50% cotton blend — this sweater is an ideal warm-weather or transitional-season garment for children. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated as intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with shaping, working in the round, and combining different stitch textures within a single project.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

The pattern is written to fit children aged 2 through 12 years, spanning six sizes. Finished chest circumferences range from 59 cm to 86 cm (approximately 23¼ to 33¾ inches), with a whole length of 36 cm to 58 cm (14¼ to 22¾ inches) and sleeve lengths of 28 cm to 45 cm (11 to 17¾ inches). This generous size range makes the pattern a versatile addition to any children's knitwear collection.

Yarn and Materials

The sweater is worked in Viking Bamboo, a 6-ply weight yarn sold in 50 g skeins. The specific colourway used in the sample is Light Green no. 631. Depending on the size being knitted, between 6 and 9 skeins are required. The bamboo-cotton composition gives the finished fabric a soft, slightly lustrous drape and excellent breathability — qualities particularly well suited to a child's garment intended for spring and summer wear.

Two needle sizes are called for throughout the pattern: 2.5 mm needles for the ribbed cuffs and any finer detail sections, and 3.5 mm needles for the main body and sleeves. The recommended tension is 20 stitches in stocking stitch over 10 cm on the 3.5 mm needles, and knitters are encouraged to check their tension carefully before beginning, as achieving the correct gauge is essential for accurate sizing.

Construction Method

The Malus Sweater is constructed using a combination of flat and circular knitting techniques. The body is worked in pieces — a back piece and two separate front pieces — which are then seamed together during finishing. The sleeves are worked in the round on the 3.5 mm needles, beginning with a ribbed cuff and then increasing regularly to shape the sleeve from cuff to underarm. This blend of flat and circular construction is typical of classic Scandinavian knitwear design and gives the knitter practice in both methods.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette) — used as the primary fabric for the body and the main sections of the sleeves, creating a smooth, even ground.
• Seed stitch (moss stitch) — an 11-stitch panel of seed stitch runs along the centre of each sleeve, adding a subtle textural contrast against the stocking stitch background. Seed stitch is formed by alternating knit and purl stitches across each row, with the stitches offset on subsequent rows so that knit stitches sit over purls and vice versa.
• K1, P1 ribbing — used for the sleeve cuffs, worked on the smaller 2.5 mm needles for a neat, elasticated finish that keeps the cuff close to the wrist.
• Edge stitches — the pattern specifies the use of edge stitches along the front opening, providing a tidy selvedge for seaming and finishing.
• Decreasing — both the left and right front pieces feature mirror-image decreases to shape the neckline. On the left front, decreases are worked as p2tog on the wrong side and a paired decrease on the right side; on the right front, the shaping is reversed using slip 1, k1, psso and p2tog-tbl to maintain symmetry.