Gingersnap
A sweet and simple color block cardigan for baby by Kristen Rettig of Knitionary
Gingersnap, let's begin!
Notions:
Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted, 1 skein each of color A (133, Gold), color B (#111, Granite), color C (#102, Soft Cream) #5 (3.75 mm) needles (optional circulars for the neck) #7 (4.5 mm) needles or size needle to get gauge one marker six /2? buttons, row counter (optional, but really helpful)
Gauge:
Using #7 needles in stockinette stitch: 4" = 19 sts. by 28 rows Size: One year: chest 23", length 12" Glossary of Stitches: If you are unsure about any of these techniques, head over to YouTube and do a search. You'll find lots of help. K: Knit P: Purl RS: Right Side WS: Wrong Side M: Marker PM: Place Marker st. st.: Stockinette stitch, (knit on right side, purl on wrong side) K2tog: Knit two stitches together K2togTBL: Knit two stitches together through the back loop KFB: Knit into front and back of stitch, one stitch increased M1L: Make one stitch left, one stitch increased M1R: Make one stitch right, one stitch increased YO: Yarn over Pattern notes: This pattern was inspired by a little baby I met in San Francisco who was wearing a similar sweater. A Ravelry search came up with nothing except a years old out-of-print publication, so I decided to recreate it myself. In the model sweater, I used a fourth color for the back, but the pattern is written for three colors. This is meant to be a real scrappy sweater and as long as you make gauge and use a soft, machine-washable yarn (it's for baby after all), you can be thrifty and raid your stash using 3, 4, 5 or more colors. If you would like a summer sweater, I suggest Rowan Handknit Cotton or Rowan Softknit Cotton. Both will give you gauge and both are machine washable. If you have any questions, contact me through my blog, www.knitionary.blogspot.com. Happy Knitting! Kristen
Time to knit!
Back:
With color A and #5 needles, cast on 50 sts. Rows 1-6: K Row 7: (RS) Change to #7 needles, K to end and using the KFB increase, increase 5 sts. evenly across row (55 sts.) Row 8: P Row 9: K and continue to work in st. st. for a total of 76 rows. Cast off on next RS row. Left Front: (striped side) With color A and #5 needles, cast on 28 sts. Rows 1-6: K Row 7: (RS) Change to #7 needles, K to end and using the KFB increase, increase 3 sts. evenly across row (31 sts.) Row 8: K5, PM, P to end Row 9: K Row 10: K5, slip M, P to end Repeat last two rows and at the same time, make stripe sequence: Rows 1-14 Color A Rows 15-26 Color C Rows 27-38 Color A Rows 39-50 Color C Rows 51-62 Color A Rows 63-76 Color C At the same time, shape neck: Row 70: (WS) Bind off 14 sts., P to end Row 71: K to last 4 sts., K2tog, K2 Row 72 and all remaining WS rows: P Row 73, 75: as row 71 On next RS row cast off remaining 14 sts. Weave in stripe ends only, leaving cast-on and cast-off tails for seaming. Right Front: (solid side) With color B and #5 needles, cast on 28 sts. Rows 1-4: Row 5: Buttonhole row:K2, YO, K2tog, K to end. Row 6: K Row 7: (RS) Change to #7 needles, K5, PM, K to end and using the KFB increase, increase 3sts. evenly across row (31 sts.) Row 8: P to M, slip M, K5 Row 9: K Row 10-68: Repeat rows 8 and 9 making 4 more buttonholes as above on rows 19, 33, 47,61. Row 69: (RS) Shape neck: Bind off 14 sts., K to end Row 70 and all remaining WS rows: P Row 71: K2, K2togTBL, K to end Row 73, 75: as row 71 On next RS row cast off remaining 14 sts.
Sleeves:
Solid color sleeve: With color B and #5 needles, cast on 32 sts. Rows 1-6: K Row 7: (RS) Change to #7 needles, K to end and using the KFB increase, increase 4 sts. evenly across row (36 sts.) Row 8: P Row 9: K Repeat last two rows increasing at each side (K3, M1R, K to last 3 sts., M1L, K3) starting on row 11 and every following 6th row to 50 sts. Work a total of 52 rows. Cast off on next RS row. Striped sleeve: With color A and #5 needles, cast on 32 sts. Rows 1-6: K Row 7: (RS) Change to #7 needles, K to end and using the KFB increase, increase 4 sts. evenly across row (36 sts.) Row 8: P Row 9: K Repeat last two rows increasing at each side (K3, M1R, K to last 3 sts., M1L, K3) starting on row 1l and every following 6th row to 50 stitches. At the same time, make stripe sequence: Rows 1-14 Color A Rows 15-26 Color C Rows 27-38Color A Rows 39-52 Color C Cast off on next RS row. Weave in stripe ends only, leaving cast-on and cast-off tails for seaming later.
You're almost done!
Finishing:
Block all pieces lightly. I like to steam block PWW with a steam iron set on medium. Sew shoulder seams and sew in sleeves. Sew up sleeve seams and side seams. For neckband, with color A and size 5 needles (circulars if you have them) and RS facing, pick up 20 sts. across front right side, 30 across back and 20 across front left (70 sts.) Beginning with WS facing, knit 3 rows. Row 4: Buttonhole row: K2, YO, K2tog, K to end. Rows 5, 6: K. Bind off on Row 7. Weave in ends and sew on buttons.
Goodbye and stay warm!
