Newborn Vertebrae: Free Knitting Pattern for Infant Frontless Cardy by Kelly Brooker (4ply Fingering Weight, 37.5cm Chest)

newborn vertebrae

free version — 37.5cm chest in 4ply/fingering weight

a knitting pattern by kelly brooker

newborn vertebrae is a frontless cardy to keep your little one's back and arms warm. This free version is written to fit a chest circumference of approximately 37.5cm (newborn...-9lb birthweight) with 4ply/fingering weight yarn. The comprehensive versions of vertebrae are in development and will be released in December 2011. It will be written in all sizes from 37.5cm to 137.5cm chest circumference - roughly newborn to XXL women's, and multiple yarn weights (Fingering, DK, Light Worsted, and Heavy Worsted). The comprehensive pattern willbe available in baby, child, and adult versions. Wondering about the pattern name? The human spine bones are more correctly known as vertebrae...which is precisely where this wee cardycovers!

construction

newborn vertebrae is seamlessly knit utilising the top down raglan shaping method. You beginbycasting on the stitchesat theneckline,andworking flat before separating offthesleeves, and continuing down the body. Oncetheody iscomple the sleeves are completed, and ribbed edging worked.

sizing

ewborn vertebrae is slimfitting through the chest; there is minimal ease built into this patter.it isdesigned to be worn overa single lyerof clothing This pattern should comfortably fit babies with a chest circumference of approximately 37.5cm (newborn....6-9lb/2.7-4.1kg birthweight) gauge 28sts/10cm on 3.25mm needles

equipment and materials

3.25mm and 2.75mm circular needles (or size required to achieve gauge) 4stitchmarkers wasteyarn 50g/200m4ply/Fingering weightyarn Example: Malabrigo Sock, Madelinetosh Tosh Sock, Western Sky Knits Aspen Sock, Red Riding Hood Yarns 4ply Superwash Merino, Knit Picks Stroll Tonal

abbreviations

kf....knit into the front and back of stitch (an increase) ..knit Ma, Mb et....Marker a, Markeer b etc PMa,PMbetc...PlaceMarker a,PlaceMarkerb etc ...Purl RS...Ri.ghht side SMa, SMb etc...Slip Marker a, Slip Marker b etc st...Stitches

Using larger needle, cast on 52sts Row1 (ws): p all sts Row 2 (marker placement row): kfb, PMa, kfb, k11, kfb, PMb, kfb, k22, kfb, PMc, kfb, k11, kfb, PMd, kfb Row3:pall sts Row 4: kfb, k1, SMa, kb, k until 1 st before Mb, kfb, SMb, kfb, k until 1 st before Mc, kfb, SMc, kfb, k until 1 st beforeMd,kfb,SMd,k1, kfb Row5:p allsts Row 6: kto Ma, SMa, kfb, k until 1 st before Mb, kfb, SMb, kfb, k until 1 st before Mc, fb, SMc, kfb, k until 1 st beforeMd, kfb,SMd, k to end Repeat rows 5 and 6 until you have 54sts between Mb and Mc (back) Work onemorepurl row Sleeve separation row: k to Ma, remove Ma, place sts between Ma and Mb onto waste yarn (sleeve), remove Mb, k to Mc (back), remove Mc, place sts between Mc and Md onto waste yarn (sleeve), remove Md, k to end ofrow. You will now have 60sts on the needles, and 43sts on each piece of waste yarn il body measures approx16.5cm from underarm, end having just worked a WS row/purl row ow: If using contrast colour, change now . Using smaller needle, knit one row, increasing one stitch in the centre back of the body (61sts) Body Hem Row 1 (WS): p2, (k1, p1) until 1 stitch left, p1 Body Hem Row 2 (RS): k2, (p1, k1) until 1 stitch left, k1 Repeat these 2 rows until ribbed hem measures 2.5cm. Cast off loosely in pattern

PART C: SLEEVES

Return stitches from one piece of waste yarn to your larger needle, pick up 1 stitch under the arm (44sts) (You will be working sleeve in the round, with the 'magic loop' method) Knit in stocking stitch (k all sts, every round) until sleeve measures approx 10cm from underarm Change to 2.75mm needle. If using a contrast colour, change now and knit one round. Work 1x1 rib (k1, p1) for 2-2.5cm. Cast off loosely in pattern Repeat for second sleeve

PART D: BODY RIBBED EDGING

Using smaller needle, pickup 3 of every 4 sts along the'raw'edge of knitting (see photograph top right) Work 1x1 rib (k1, p1) for 2-2.5cm. Cast off loosely in pattern

FINISHING:

all ends. Wash in a gentle wool wash, then lay flat and in shape, to dr