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| Photo above © DROPS Design |
Clover / DROPS Children 34-4 is a free children's sweater knitting pattern from DROPS Design, featuring a decorative lace pattern, raglan shaping and comfortable top-down construction.
Designed for children approximately 2 to 12 years old, the sweater can be knitted in DROPS Air or DROPS Paris and is available in six sizes.
The complete pattern remains free on the official DROPS Design website.
✓ Free Pattern Availability
Clover / DROPS Children 34-4 is currently available as a free official knitting pattern from DROPS Design. Use the official link below for the complete current instructions, diagrams and measurements.
Clover Sweater at a Glance
Pattern: Clover / DROPS Children 34-4
Designer: DROPS Design
Pattern Number: ai-014-bn
Craft: Knitting
Category: Children's Sweater / Jumper
Sizes: 2 to 11/12 years
Suggested Yarn: DROPS Air or DROPS Paris
Gauge: 16 stitches × 20 rows = 4 in / 10 cm
Main Needles: US 9 / 5.5 mm
Rib Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm
Construction: Top down
Features: Lace pattern, raglan shaping, long sleeves
Availability: Free official DROPS pattern
About the Clover Children's Sweater
Clover is a children's pullover designed by DROPS Design.
The sweater combines a relatively simple silhouette with decorative lace across the upper portion of the garment.
It is knitted from the top down with raglan shaping, giving knitters a practical construction method while allowing the lace to become the main decorative feature.
Six Children's Sizes
The official DROPS pattern includes six sizes:
- 2 years
- 3/4 years
- 5/6 years
- 7/8 years
- 9/10 years
- 11/12 years
DROPS associates these sizes with approximate child heights of:
92 – 98/104 – 110/116 – 122/128 – 134/140 – 146/152 cm
Age is only a guide. When possible, compare the child's measurements with the finished measurements in the official DROPS schematic before choosing a size.
Finished Chest Measurements
The published finished chest measurements are approximately:
68 – 72 – 76 – 84 – 86 – 94 cm
That's approximately:
26¾ – 28⅜ – 30 – 33 – 33⅞ – 37 inches
Finished length ranges from approximately 36 cm for the smallest size to 56 cm for the largest.
Two Suggested Yarn Options
One useful feature of the official Clover pattern is that DROPS provides two yarn options.
You can knit the sweater in:
- DROPS Air
- DROPS Paris
These yarns have very different fiber compositions and characteristics, so the finished sweater can have a different feel depending on which option you choose.
The important requirement is obtaining the pattern gauge and a fabric suitable for the garment.
DROPS Air Requirements
When using DROPS Air, the official pattern calls for approximately:
150 – 150 – 200 – 200 – 200 – 250 grams
The original DROPS sample lists color 20, Rose.
DROPS Paris Requirements
The alternative DROPS Paris version requires approximately:
300 – 300 – 400 – 400 – 400 – 500 grams
The official pattern lists color 01, Apricot, for this option.
Gauge
The required knitting gauge is:
16 stitches × 20 rows = 4 × 4 inches / 10 × 10 cm
This is measured in stockinette stitch.
Gauge is important for children's garments because it directly affects the finished chest circumference, length and yarn consumption.
Make a gauge swatch before beginning, particularly when substituting another yarn.
Needles
DROPS recommends:
- 5.5 mm / US 9 circular and double-pointed needles for the main fabric
- 4.5 mm / US 7 circular and double-pointed needles for the ribbing
The published needle sizes are guides. Use the needle size that allows you to obtain the required gauge.
Top-Down Construction
Clover is knitted from the top down.
This construction begins at the neckline and develops the upper body before moving down toward the hem.
Top-down sweaters can be particularly convenient for children's garments because the overall proportions become easier to visualize as the project grows.
Raglan Shaping
The sweater uses raglan shaping to form the upper body and sleeves.
Raglan construction distributes shaping around the upper garment rather than requiring separately shaped traditional armholes.
Combined with the top-down method, it creates a clean construction that works well with the decorative lace section.
The Lace Pattern
The decorative lace is one of Clover's defining features.
The motif is worked according to the diagrams supplied with the official DROPS pattern.
Amazing Knitting does not reproduce those copyrighted charts here. Follow the current official pattern for the complete stitch sequence and diagrams.
Working from a Knitting Chart
If you are relatively new to charted lace, take a little time to study the symbols before beginning the decorative section.
Keep track of both your current chart row and your position within each repeat.
Stitch markers can be useful for separating repeats where appropriate, making it easier to identify a missing yarn over or decrease before the error travels into later rows.
Count Your Stitches Regularly
Lace depends on increases and decreases remaining correctly balanced.
A forgotten yarn over or an accidental extra stitch can change the alignment of the following rows.
Checking your stitch count at logical points throughout the lace section can save considerable time later.
Consider Using a Lifeline
If lace knitting is still new to you, a lifeline can provide useful insurance.
Pass a smooth contrasting thread through a correctly completed row without interfering with the working stitches.
If you later discover an error, you have a known safe row to return to instead of unraveling blindly through the lace.
Working the Sleeves
After the body has been established, the sleeves are worked using the stitches set aside during the upper-body construction.
Smaller circumferences can be handled with double-pointed needles, magic loop or another method you are comfortable using, while still following the stitch counts and shaping in the official instructions.
Choosing the Right Size
Children's ages do not always correspond perfectly to standardized clothing sizes.
For a better result, measure a sweater that currently fits the child well and compare it with the finished measurements supplied by DROPS.
Pay particular attention to chest circumference, body length and sleeve length.
Substituting Yarn
You can use another suitable yarn instead of the two DROPS options, but do not select a substitute by yarn label alone.
Look for a yarn capable of producing the required 16 stitches × 20 rows per 10 cm while creating a fabric you like.
Fiber content also matters. A cotton yarn such as DROPS Paris behaves differently from a light blown yarn such as DROPS Air.
Always swatch when making a significant substitution.
Skills Used in Clover
This project is useful for practicing several knitting skills:
- Top-down sweater construction
- Raglan shaping
- Knitting in the round
- Knit and purl stitches
- Ribbing
- Increasing and decreasing
- Yarn overs
- Following lace diagrams
- Working sleeves in a small circumference
- Finishing and weaving in ends
Is Clover Suitable for Beginners?
Clover is more involved than a completely basic stockinette children's sweater because of the lace pattern and shaping.
However, a knitter who is already comfortable with knit and purl stitches, working in the round and basic increases and decreases can use it as a good opportunity to gain experience with charted lace and top-down garment construction.
Important: Use the Current Pattern
DROPS notes that the Clover pattern has received a correction.
The official page currently shows an update dated October 23, 2020 concerning the sleeve instructions.
For this reason, avoid relying on an old saved or copied version of the instructions. Work from the current official DROPS page so you have the corrected pattern.
Is the Clover Sweater Still Free?
Yes.
Clover / DROPS Children 34-4 remains available as a complete free knitting pattern directly from DROPS Design.
The official page includes the instructions, diagrams, measurements and supporting technique information.
Get the Free Clover Knitting Pattern
Visit DROPS Design for the complete current pattern:
More Free Children's Sweater Patterns
Looking for another children's project? The recently reviewed Lamb Dance cardigan from DROPS Design is another free pattern, featuring a playful stranded-colorwork sheep yoke.
See the Free Lamb Dance Pattern →
You can also browse more projects in the Amazing Knitting archive:
Before You Start
Choose the size using the child's measurements rather than age alone, then make a gauge swatch with your chosen yarn.
Read through the lace diagrams before reaching the patterned section and consider using stitch markers or a lifeline if charted lace is new to you.
Most importantly, work from the current DROPS page because the pattern has received a published correction since its original release.
Pattern credit: Clover / DROPS Children 34-4 was designed and published by DROPS Design. The existing photograph on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to DROPS Design. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's complete copyrighted instructions or charts.