EAZY-PEAZY BABY CARDIGAN
This is a very simple and cute cardigan for baby that knits up quickly. It is made in a manner that avoids most sewing! It knits up nicely using variegated yarns but looks lovely in a plain color as well; dress it up or mix it up with those cute buttons in your stash! Size: Fits 6-9 months (chest=20") Materials: Medium worsted-weight yarn (\~225 yds.). Any easy-care (preferably washable) yarn that can obtain gauge, 5 buttons, US size 6 and 7 round needles and same-sized double pointed needles (or size to obtain gauge). Gauge: with larger needles in st st, 20 stitches X 24 rows =4" (5"/inch) Abbreviations: st st=stockinette stitch, BO=Bind off, RS=right side
PATTERN
BODY:
With smaller round needles, cast on 100 stitches and knit 4 rows. Switch to larger needles and work in st st until piece measures 5". SPLIT FOR ARMHOLES: Knit to the 26th stitch then place the first 25 and the last 25 stitches on holders to work up later. Working with the center 50 stitches (back), continue knitting in st st until back piece measures 10". Knit the first 12 stitches, bind off the next 26 stitches, and then put the next 12 stitches and first 12 stitches on holders. Now join yarn to RIGHT FRONT and continue in st st until piece measures 7" ending on RS row and begin neck shaping by binding off 5 stitches once, then 2 stitches 4 times. When piece measures 10", put the 12 shoulder stitches on holders. Now join yarn to LEFT FRONT and knit as you did the right front but reversing the neck shaping. Using the 3-needle bind-off technique, put shoulders seams together.
SLEEVES:
With larger needles pick up 50 stitches evenly around armhole placing a marker at the bottom center of the armhole and distribute the stitches evenly on the larger double pointed needles. Work in st st and at the same time decrease 1 stitch at each side of marker every 4th row 8 times, then every other row 2 times (30 stitches), when sleeve measures 6", switch to smaller double pointed needles and knit 4 rows in garter. BO all stitches.
NECKLINE:
With smaller round needles, pick up 45 stitches around the neck edge and knit in garter stitch for 3/4" then BO.
FRONTBANDS:
With smaller round needles pick up 40 stitches along front band and knit in garter stitch for 3/4". Place 5 buttonholes evenly spaced on 3rd row (RIGHT FRONT for girl or LEFT FRONT for boy): knit 4, BO 2, K5, BO 2, K5, BO 2, K5, BO2. K5, BO 2, K5, BO2, K4. On the next row cast back on 2 stitches at each place where the 2 stitches were bound off. Continue in garter stitch until the button-band is %" wide.
FINISHING:
Sew on the 5 buttons and weave in your ends. Block/steam..
