In life, momentous occasions seem to occur in cycles. This year we are in the birth cycle. I forgot how much fun it is to knit for babies! The projects are small and knit up quickly. Sizing is not really a concern as the baby will grow into a gift that may be too large when it is presented.
I choose Klamath, our superwash Merino worsted wool in its natural color. I washed the skeins to condition the yarn before knitting. For the contrast yarn, I dyed our BabyWooBoo, alpaca/wool/bamboo boucle. I choose the BabyWooBoo because of the warm cuddly soft fabric that it becomes when it is knit.
Ava’s Jacket – click here for pattern
Sizes: 6-9( 9-12) months.
Materials:
- 200 yds Klamath (Superwash merino) 200 yds
- 300 yds BabyWooBoo (35% Baby alpaca/30% merino wool / 30% Bamboo viscose/5% nylon)
- Needles: One pair size US 5 (3.75 mm)
- 1 snap
Stitch pattern: garter
Striped Back
This piece is knit in alternating colors 2 rows of garter stitch. Carry the non-working yarn up the side so that it is ready to pick up after the return row of the other color.
With Klamath yarn cast on 30 sts. Knit 1 row.
Tie on BabyWooBoo yarn and Knit 2 rows.
Knit 2 rows Klamath
Continue knitting in this alternating 2 row pattern until the piece measures 9½ ( 10 ¾ ) “
Bind off loosely with the 2nd row of BabyWooBoo.
There should be 22 (25) Klamath stripes and 22(25) BabyWooBoo stripes.
Turn your piece so that the stripes are vertical. One edge will be more finished looking that the other. With the least finished looking edge on top, pick up 1 stitch per stripe with the BabyWooBoo yarn. 44 (50) sts. Knit all rows until the piece measures 10 ¾ (11 ¼)”.
Left Front
Follow the directions for the striped half of back and again cast on 30 sts. Knit until piece measures 4 ¾ ( 5 ¼) “. Bind off loosely with the Klamath yarn.
There should be 12 (13) Klamath stripes and 11 (12) BabyWooBoo stripes.
Turn the piece so the stripes are vertical. With BabyWooBoo pick up 1 stitch per stripe plus 1extra stitch. 24 ( 26) sts. Knit all rows until piece measures 8 (8 ½)”.
Neck shaping
With wrong side facing, bind off loosely 5 sts
At the beginning of following wrong side rows bind off 4 sts, 3 sts, 2 sts. 10 sts remain on the needle.
The 9-12 month size have 2 additional bind offs. At the beginning of following next 2 wrong side rows bind off 1 stitch each row.
10 stitches remain on the needle.
Continue knitting until piece measures 10 ¾ (11 ¼)”. Bind off loosely
Right Front
Follow the directions for the striped half of back and again cast on 30 sts. Knit until piece measures 4 ¾ ( 5 ¼) “. Bind off loosely with the BabyWooBoo yarn.
There should be 12 (13) stripes of both the Klamath and BabyWooBoo yarns.
Turn the piece so the stripes are vertical. With BabyWooBoo yarn pick up 1 stitch per stripe. 24 (26) stitches.
Knit all rows until piece measures 8 (8 ½)”.
Neck Shaping
On right side, bind off loosely 5 stitches.
At the beginning of following right side rows bind off 4 sts, 3 sts, 2 sts. 10 sts remain on the needle.
The 9-12 month size have 2 additional bind offs. At the beginning of following next 2 right side rows bind off 1 stitch each row.
10 stitches remain on the needle.
Continue knitting until piece measures 10 ¾ ( 11 ¼)”. Bind off loosely.
Sleeves (make 2)
Cast on 60 (62) stitches with Klamath yarn.
Knit 1 row
Next row knit 2 together across the row. 30 (32) sts.
Change to BabyWooBoo yarn and knit 3 rows.
Increase* 1 stitch at each end every 6 rows 5 ( 6) times. 40 (44)stitches
* Increase row: K1, Kf&b, K1to last 2 stitches Kf&b, K1
With right side facing, bind off loosely.
Finishing
Sew shoulder seams.
Mark center of sleeve top and align with the shoulder seam. Underarms should line up with back and front BabyWooBoo bodice. Sew sleeves to body. Sew sleeve and side seams.
Front Ruffle
Starting at the lower corner of the right front with the Klamath yarn pick up 31 (35) stitches along the front edge. Pick up 65 (69) stitches around the neck and back to the top of the left front. 96 (104) sts.
Knit 1 row
Knit into each stitch (K f&b) doubling the number of stitches. 192 (208) sts
Knit 3 more rows. Bind off loosely. Weave in yarn ends. Sew snap just under the ruffle collar.
Hand wash/lay flat to dry