Beginnings Cardigan

Mister Rogers originally thought children’s television to be “perfectly horrible” and desired to harness its power to nurture young people. Many years later, a study from Yale University found that children retained more from watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood than they did from watching Sesame Street.

Mister Rogers loved having guests on his show to help teach children about all sorts of things. Throughout the years, he welcomed entertainers, scientists, artists, musicians, and many others. Some memorable visits included Tony Bennett, Eric Carle, Julia Child, David Copperfield, Yo-Yo Ma, and Bill Nye.

Mister Rogers kept every drawing and letter he received, and he made it a part of his daily routine to respond to every piece of fan mail from his young viewers. Each response was personalized and never a form letter.

Mister Rogers kept every drawing and letter he received, and he made it a part of his daily routine to respond to every piece of fan mail from his young viewers. Each response was personalized and never a form letter.

Rep rows 1 and 2 for k1, p1 rib until piece measures 3"/7.5cm, end with a RS row. Inc row (WS) Work in rib and inc 3 sts evenly across—40 (40, 42, 42, 44) sts.

Cable panel

Change to larger needles. Row 1 (RS) K15 (15, 16, 16, 17), p2, work row 1 of cable panel over next 6 sts, p2, k15 (15, 16, 16, 17). Row 2 P15 (15, 16, 16, 17), k2, work next row of cable panel over next 6 sts, k2, p15 (15, 16, 16, 17). Cont in St st and cable panel as established for 2 rows more, then inc 1 st each side on next row and every 6th row 4 (4, 7, 8, 10) times more, then every 4th row 4 (6, 3, 2, 1) times, working inc sts into St st—58 (62, 64, 66, 68) sts. Work even in pats until piece measures 10½ (11, 12, 12½, 13½)"/26.5 (28, 30.5, 32, 34.5)cm from beg, end with a WS row.

Cap shaping

Cont in pats as foll: Bind off 4 sts at beg of next 2 rows—50 (54, 56, 58, 60) sts. Dec 1 st at each side on next 5 rows, then every RS row 9 (9, 10, 11, 12) times, end with a WS row—22 (26, 26, 26, 26) sts. Dec 1 st at each side on next 3 (5, 5, 5, 5) rows—16 sts. Work 1 row even. Bind off rem sts.

FINISHING

Weave in ends. Lightly block to measurements. Sew shoulder seams. Set in sleeves. Sew side and sleeve seams, reversing seaming 2"/5cm from sleeve cast-on edge to allow for turnback.

Collar

With smaller needles, cast on 41 (41, 43, 43, 45) sts. Set-up row (WS) K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end. Cast on 4 sts at beg of next 10 rows, working inc sts into rib—81 (81, 83, 83, 85) sts. Work 2 rows even in rib. Cont in rib, bind off 4 sts at beg of next 10 rows—41 (41, 43, 43, 45) sts. Bind off rem sts.

With RS facing, sew one long edge of Collar to neck edge, easing collar to fit. Sew zipper in place along front edges, having top of zipper meet start of neck shaping and adjusting zipper length as required. Fold collar in half to WS and sew rem long edge in place (hiding zipper tape). ■

“Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero.”