This sweater was inspired by (but substantially altered from) a Lion brand pattern called One Stitch Baby Sweater as well as a picture of a sweater from Martha Stewart's Baby magazine.
I wanted a simple pattern that would make a warm sweater for both boys and girls. If you like and use this pattern, I would ask that you make one for a charitable organization in your area or any nation wide charity that accepts baby items (following their guidelines for donations).
Size:
Chest: 24 inches
Shoulder to hem: 12 inches
Sleeve length: 7 inches (to allow for growth, you can roll them up
if
needed or make them to fit the baby you have in mind)
Materials:
US size 9 needles (longer straights or circulars)
1 large stitch holder
stitch markers
4 buttons 5/8 inch size
yarn: I used pound of love yarn from Lion Brand. Woolease would also
work, I would guess that you would need two balls, and have leftovers for
a hat.
Gauge:
4 sts/inch, 8 rows/inch in garter stitch using size 9 needles. Use
any needle size you need to obtain gauge
Note: One thing that makes this pattern easy to knit and finish
is the use of selvage stitches. These selvage stitches have three advantages:
(1) the sleeve stitches are easy to pick up,
(2) they add a finished look to the neckline and front bands of the
sweater, and
(3) they make sewing the seams a piece of cake.
To make selvage stitches, slip all first stitches purlwise with yarn
in front, then take the yarn in back and knit across the row. (You should
end up with a selvage stitch on each side). When increases are made, increase
in the stitch after the selvage stitch. When stitches are cast on (for
neck edge), re-establish selvage stitch in the first row.
Increases are made by knitting in the front and back of a stitch. I used the knit-on cast on method to add extra stitches at the neck edge.
The instructions for the body of the sweater (made in one piece) are presented separately for boys and girls.
Body of Sweater (Version for Girls)
Back
Cast on 46 sts (remember selvage stitches)
Knit all rows until piece measures 12 inches from cast on edge (should
be about 44 ridges)
Next row: Knit 16 sts, slip to a holder, bind off 14 sts, knit remaining 16 stitches
Knit three rows even
Neck Shaping (Left Side)
Increase one stitch at neck edge (RS row) 6 times (work WS rows even)
Work one row even
Cast on 6 stitches at neck edge (remember to move selvage stitch to
the end)
Work even until length of back (should be about 38 ridges of garter
stitch after neck shaping)
Bind off
Right Side
Attach yarn to right side stitches at neck edge
Knit 4 rows
Increase 1 st at neck edge side 6 times (work WS rows even)
Work 1 row even
Cast on 6 stitches at neck edge (remember to move selvage stitch to
the end)
Work even until length of back adding button holes (4 stitches from edge: k2tog, yo, k2) after 2 ridges of garter stitch (right side), after 9 more ridges (3 times), knit 9 more ridges (should have 38 ridges after neck shaping and should be about the length of the back)
Bind off
Body of Sweater (Version for Boys)
Back
Cast on 46 sts (remember selvage sts)
Knit all rows until piece measures 12 inches from cast on edge (should
be about 44 ridges of garter stitch)
Next row: K16 sts, slip to holder, bind off 14 stitches, k across remaining
16 stitches
Work even for three rows
Neck Shaping (Left Side)
Increase one stitch at neck edge (RS row) 6 times (work WS rows even)
Work one row even
Cast on 6 sts at neck edge (remember to move selvage stitch to the
end)
Work even until piece measures length of back (should be 38 ridges of garter stitch after neck shaping), placing buttonholes (4 sts from neck edge: k2tog, yo, k2) after 2 ridges of garter stitch are completed on the front side, after 9 more ridges (3 times), knit another 9 ridges
Bind off
Right Side
Attach yarn to right side stitches at neck edge
Knit 4 rows
Increase 1 st at neck edge (RS) 6 times (WS rows work even)
Work one row even
Cast on 6 stitches at neck edge (remember to move selvage stitch to
the end)
Work even until length of back (should be 38 ridges of garter stitch
after neck shaping)
Sleeves (same for both versions)
Spread sweater body piece on floor with right side facing you. Mark
middle of piece (I used the row with the stitches that are bound off for
the back of the neck) and mark about 5 inches down on either side of middle
marker.
Pick up 38 stitches for sleeves (19 stitches on each side of middle marker). Those selvage stitches are pretty handy for this. You should pick up one stitch for each selvage stitch chain.
Remember to use selvage stitches on the sleeves as well. Knit all rows for 7 inches (or desired length) and bind off.
Repeat sleeve procedure for other side.
Finishing:
Sew sleeve and side seam for each side (mattress seaming works beautifully
on my sweater, the garter stitches matched up exactly). Sew on buttons.