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| Photos above © KBledsoe |
Pondemonium by Jennifer Small is a wonderfully playful Fair Isle sweater for babies and toddlers, filled with colorful pond creatures and whimsical details.
Ducks, frogs, bugs and snakes appear around the sweater among rows of lily pads, making this a memorable colorwork project for a little one. The original pattern is still available free from the designer.
✓ Free Pattern Available
Pondemonium was originally hosted by Jimmy Beans Wool. After that version disappeared, designer Jennifer Small made the pattern available again as a free PDF through her Blue Canary Creations pattern store.
Pondemonium at a Glance
Pattern: Pondemonium
Designer: Jennifer Small
Original Publisher: Jimmy Beans Wool
Craft: Knitting
Project: Baby / Toddler Pullover
Style: Fair Isle / Stranded Colorwork
Sizes: 6, 12 and 18 months
Availability: Free PDF from the designer
A Pond Full of Colorwork
Pondemonium is much more than a basic children's pullover. Its personality comes from the colorful pond scene worked around the sweater.
The design features familiar little pond creatures including ducks, frogs, bugs and snakes, separated by rows of lily pads.
One of the especially fun finishing details is the use of lily-pad elbow patches, which continue the pond theme onto the sleeves.
Inspired by “The Little White Duck”
The sweater was inspired by the children's song The Little White Duck.
That inspiration explains the collection of creatures appearing across the colorwork and gives the sweater the feel of a small illustrated story knitted into a garment.
Baby and Toddler Sizes
The original pattern includes three sizes:
- 6 months
- 12 months
- 18 months
Because children's measurements vary, check the measurements in the designer's pattern rather than choosing a size by age alone.
About the Colorwork
Pondemonium uses Fair Isle / stranded colorwork to create its decorative motifs.
If you are relatively new to stranded knitting, work slowly and avoid pulling the unused yarn too tightly across the back of the work. Relaxed floats help the finished fabric lie smoothly.
A small colorwork swatch can also help you check your tension before beginning the sweater.
A Little History of the Pattern
Pondemonium has been around for many years. It was selected as the Jimmy Beans Wool Free Pattern Contest winner for May 2007.
The original Jimmy Beans Wool version was eventually removed from its website.
Fortunately, Jennifer Small later made a PDF of the pattern available herself, so knitters can still obtain the design from the designer's current pattern store.
Is Pondemonium Still Free?
Yes. The current Blue Canary Creations listing identifies Pondemonium as a free knitting pattern.
This is a particularly good example of why we verify older Amazing Knitting links: although the original publisher stopped hosting the pattern, the designer preserved legitimate free access to it.
Get the Free Pondemonium Pattern
Visit Jennifer Small's Blue Canary Creations pattern store on Ravelry for the current free pattern:
Get the Free Pondemonium Pattern →
More Baby Knitting Patterns
- Skating Penguin Pullover - Free Knitting Pattern
- French Macaroon Baby Sweater - Free Knitting Pattern
- Puerperium Cardigan - Free Baby Knitting Pattern
- Fuss Free Baby Cardigan - Free Knitting Pattern
Pattern credit: Pondemonium was designed by Jennifer Small and originally published through Jimmy Beans Wool. The pattern is currently offered free by the designer through Blue Canary Creations. Amazing Knitting provides this independent project guide and does not reproduce the designer's complete pattern instructions.