The Wonderful Wallaby!
One of my all time favorite patterns is The Wonderful Wallaby by Cottage Creations. While it’s true that the Wallaby is cozy and classic and the construction is beautifully engineered, the thing that makes this pattern my favorite is the charm and accessibility of the writing and illustrations.
You will be cheered through your Wallaby by encouraging tidbits like, “TREAT YOURSELF Take time to try on your Wonderful Wallaby, it feels so GOOD! Your Wallaby won’t mind if tried on with needles remaining in the yarn!” You will love the homey drawings of knitting kangaroos, like grandma kangaroo knitting her Wallaby from yarn stored in her pouch (I wish I had that!). The pattern is also clearly written, very explanatory and 100% mistake free.
The Wonderful Wallaby is sized for toddlers age two all the way up to adult super size. My son, Bear, is only 13 months old, but he’s really tall, and I just couldn’t wait another year to knit him his own Wallaby. I love knowing that he’ll get lots of wear out of it.
Materials
- The Wonderful Wallaby Pattern (Please Note, the Wonderful Pattern is available to download on Ravelry)
- For this size I needed 3 skeins of Spud & Chloe’s Sweater yarn, 55% Superwash Wool, 45% Organic Cotton. This color is “Ice Cream”, knit at 4 1/2 stitches to the inch. (For yarn quantities for larger sizes and substitutions, please check the pattern.) (Please Note: we are currently no longer able to offer this yarn, to browse substitutions, please click here! For a bright and washable option, we recommend Anzula’s For Better or Worsted.)
- 1 skein of Koigu’s Kersti Merino Crepe, 100 % Merino Wool. This color is #822.
- A US 8 (5 mm), 24-inch circular needle.
- A set of US 8 double-pointed needles.
- An extra pair of US 8 needles, either straight or any length circular. (These extra needles are for knitting the pocket.)
- 4 stitch holders (or scrap yarn).
- 4 stitch markers (or scrap yarn).
It’s great that Spud & Chloe’s Sweater yarn is machine washable and really soft, but mostly I love that the blend of wool and organic cotton truly makes this sweater year round. To add a little fun, I knit a stripe of multi-colored Kersti every fifth round. (By the way, the Kersti is also machine washable.) Adding this stripe does complicate the pattern in some places (like the pocket), so I wouldn’t recommend it if you are a beginner knitter, but otherwise I thought the challenge was totally worth it.
Another materials note: The pattern uses US 6 needles for the ribbed edges which really draws in the bottom hem and cuffs. I wanted Bear’s Wallaby to be a little looser fitting and so just used my #8’s for everything. Be sure to have a smaller 24 inch circular needle and double pointed’s on hand if you want to be a faithful follower of the directions.
The Wonderful Wallaby is such a perfect sweater that I’m going to make sure Bear is never without one. I hope I like his college colors! -Whitney
I would someday LOVE to knit a sweater (especially one that’s as cute as this one) but I’m afraid my hands and my patience can’t take it. Perhaps if I rent some good movies and have my girlfriends over that will do the trick!
You totally tickled my curiosity for this pattern with the descriptions of knitting kangaroos, and the adorable photos helped a bit too ; ) And since I’m currently on a toddler-sweater knitting craze, this might be just the thing for me! Thank you! : )
I have made the wallaby in an adult size for myself! It was my first sweater and I loved how it turned out. It’s a great pattern for anyone!
I definitely need to try this. Bear looks so cute in his comfy snuggly in his wonderful wallaby.
That was the very first sweater pattern I purchased and 4 years later I have not knit a single wallaby. I bet it would be great in the summer knit in cotton, thanks for the inspiration, off to find some cotton yarn!
bear … you rock the wallaby … happy days … kisses from gumby!!!
hermoso sweater….y hermoso ese nio!
Just stumbled on your blog…. super cute!!
Kim @ http://frostmeblog.blogspot.com
Love this! so simple and sweet
I love this! I especially like how casual and comfortable it is. Paired with some baby jeans – perfection!
This is a REALLY cute sweater! My 2 year old son has actually, on his own, requested for me to knit him a sweater! Ha! I’m thinking perhaps that will be a great Easter gift. And I love this pattern. Thanks!!! 🙂
Oh me, oh my! I just want to cuddle that little sweetie. And that sweater!! Beautiful, beautiful, B.E.A.Utiful!!
so cute. can you say a little more about how you added the stripes? What was the tricky part?
What a great style…love it!
Have a fabulous weekend! 🙂
~Kim
Is there a way to get this pattern as a downloadable file? I would really like to knit this cute hoodie, but I live in Germany and it’s not efficient to ship only one pattern.
Hi Leah,
This pattern is copyrighted and is only available in printed format.
We have a flat rate shipping option to Europe, you can check it out here:
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/shop/shipping
This hoodie is adorable! Every time I look at this blog I want to start at least 2 new projects!! I will by this pattern as soon as I’m finished with my granny blanket. Thank you for always getting my creative juices going.
Your guy, Bear, gets cuter and cuter if that’s possible. Have seen this pattern over the years and never thought of trying it – now I think I might. Thank you for your continued inspiration!
Beautiful pattern, beautifully made. I hope someday if I keep practicing…
Really love the colors and the yarn choices!!
YAY Bear!!!!
fantastic i love to knit that looks so warm
Absolutely adorable pattern! And the choice of colors are great! What is the level of experience would you say is needed to do this one? Doesn’t look like there’s anything too complicated with the pattern…Beginner/intermediate? I’m sort of advanced beginner. I’d love to make this.
I have made 3 Wonderful Wallaby sweaters, and I LOVE them…!! ALL of Carol Anderson’s patterns, Cottage Creations, are UNFAILINGLY charming and sooooooo easy to work with…she holds our hands the whole way through! I put 2 buttons along the garter stitch placket to hold the sweater closed a bit for those chilly, windy days! This is my very favorite sweater pattern!
Wow this sweater is pretty sweet.
Love the pattern, and particularly the yarns you chose for it. I have to ask though, how did you handle weaving in the ends for all the single rows of colored yarn? I know I hate that part of things, but your sweater makes it look just tooooooo good. Any details? Perhaps a picture of the inside?
I made the W.Wallaby several years ago with some extra yarn. It’s sitting in a cedar chest for a kiddo that I hope to have some day! The smaller sizes are great stash-busters.
I’ve made two of these Wallaby’s and I absolutely love the pattern and my daughter will also always have one that fits! I never thought to do something like this, so very cute!! Lots of plans for the next one are popping into my head!!
I tried to order the pattern and it indicated that they are out of stock.
The sweater is adorable!!
Hi Marsha,
There will be more in stock soon. If you’d like us to let you know when they arrive, send us an email at the link below. We’ll let you know as soon as they’re available!
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/contact
I have made almost every Whit’s Knits pattern or project. They are all great! This blog simply makes my life better. Thank you!
I’ve made seven of these so far for my grandson and he’s not even two yet! I love the pattern. Can’t say that I share your enthusiasm for the illustrations and chatty text, but that hardly matters. I’ve done one or two straight up and the rest are all modified in various ways.
Looks beautiful. What size did you make for Bear? I want to order, but need to make about a 3 or 4T for my tall man for next winter, and need to make sure I buy enough yarn.
I wanted to buy the pattern but it seems they’re all sold out. Where or how can I get it?
Hi, Can I use Blue Sky Worsted instead of Spud & Chloe, or would you recommend using Blue Sky Cotton instead?? Thanks
Hi Patrice,
You can use either of those yarns, however they are a little thicker than the pattern recommends so your sweater will turn out to be a little bit larger. It would be beautiful in either though!
I just made this for myself out of Paton’s merino tweed. I did rolled bottom and cuffs instead of ribbing. I love love love it! It’s super easy and knit up pretty fast. 2 words of advice: I made the sleeves first. This worked to a) check the gauge and b) satisfied my impatience because once I was ready to attach the sleeves they were already done! Also, I would knit the hood several inches more than the pattern suggests so it’s a little bit looser on my big old grownup head.
Love the Wallaby! Once I was able to figure out the lingo, I realized it was a fun and straight forward pattern. Great thing about the book is it provides for all sizes, children and adult. You can make one for every one in the family.
I’m having trouble understanding this Wallaby pattern. On page 8 they say to k 3 stiches past the marker and the put the preceeding 6 sts on a holder. So I remove them from the needles? Then I continue to k to the left side and repeat?Or do I leave the stiches on the needles to continue?. Help! I’m stuck at this point. I’m pretty much a beginning knitter and these chatty directions are really difficult to understand.
Hi Michele,
Yes you have it right, knit 3 stitches past the marker, then put the 6 preceeding sts on a holder (take these 6 off the needle and put your stitch marker away), then knit past the second marker and repeat.
This is a standard way to knit sweaters in the round and it can definitely be a little confusing the first time you do it, but once you have finished this sweater you’ll be ready to go on any circular pattern out there.
Good luck and please let us know if you have further questions!
I’d like to figure out how to place the stripes. Thanks for any advice you might have to offer!
Hi Purl! this is the cutest thing and I really want to knit it for my nephew, but I always have trouble because he lives in Florida. He’ll only need an outer layer for a few weeks if it’s too warm. I’m wondering if the Spud & Chloe Sweater makes this a fairly heavy garment, or if the cotton lightens it up enough that it’s okay for warmer climates. If it’s too heavy, is there a good substitute anybody knows off the top of their heads?
so cute! thanks!
çok güzel
I am planning to make this sweater for my boyfriend and have ordered the pattern… He’s 27 but tall and lanky … how should I go about measuring him so it fits well and also so I order the right amount of Spud and Chloe? I’ve never knitted a sweater so will only be using one color yearn without the stripe – but am not sure how to adjust to determine the quantity needed to make it right!! – Love this, it’s going to be a Christmas present! … meant for under a ski jacket!
Thanks so much to my more experienced fellow knitters!
Hi Haley,
The finished sizes for the Wallaby are 4 inches bigger than actual chest measurements. For example, a chest size 40" would knit up to a finished size of 44" (a pretty roomy fit!).
To get the perfect size for your boyfriend, I would recommend taking a chest measurement of his favorite sweater, subtract 4 inches from that measurement, and follow the pattern size that is closest to this number. Buy the amount of yarn recommended for that size.
I hope this helps. Let us know if you have any further questions and good luck!
I have everything I need to get started on my son’s very own Wallaby, but I’m feeling indecisive about what size to choose. My son is only 10 months, but wears a 24m or 2T sized shirt. (He’s really quite big for his age.) Plus I’m not a speedy knitter. (Did I mention my crawling son?) Does anyone have measurements for the children’s sizes? Thanks!
Hi LIsa,
The Wallaby sizing is quite generous so you’d probably be okay with the size 2 that Whitney made here.
I am searching for this wallaby pattern. I saw a lady knitting one last weekend and can't live without it. Right now I'm knitting a sweater for my granddaughter, she's 2, that's got 2 seams, 5 colors, and easy. Thanks for sharing the photos of your adorable son. Hugs!
Hi Becky,
You can find the pattern at this link!
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/309
I'm following up on some of the other posts – how did you knit the stripes? Can you share a picture of the inside?
I love the wallaby and I have been looking for a crochet wallaby pattern, can this be converted to crochet? Are there any patterns out there for the crochet wallaby?