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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:
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:
Get the Free Clover 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.
