Warmth can be an odd thing to talk about, especially when the heat of the summer is pressing down upon us. But in this modern era, where the indoors are often over-chilled, I find that we still need warmth, physical warmth, even during the oppressive summer months.
No one needs more warmth, even during the summer, than new little babes. With their small size, they are especially vulnerable to chills as the temperatures swing. Help them stay comfortable by knitting a pretty little cardigan.
With a single button, it is easy to slip on and off as needed. On when the AC kicks into high gear, off when heading out into the sunshine. The lace pattern is pretty, feminine, but also functional. It provides enough coverage to keep the little ones warm, while allowing enough circulation to keep them from overheating.
Welcome a new one by wrapping them in warmth, or knit for an older, equally cherished, babe. Either way, this is sure to be a knit that is enjoyed this summer and for many to come.
Sizes
6 months (12 months, 18 months)
Shown in 6 month size, on a 5-month-old
Finished Measurements
Chest: 19 (22, 24) inches
Length: 10 (12, 13) inches
Materials
Knitpicks Comfy Worsted [75% Pima Cotton, 25% Acrylic; 109 yards/50 grams]
Honeydew; 3 (4, 5) skeins
Recommended Needle Sizes
US #6, 24-inch circular needle (or size needed to obtain correct gauge)
US #6, set of 4 double-pointed needles (or size needed to obtain correct gauge)
Crochet Hook Size E
Notions
4 stitch markers
Waste yarn, contrasting color
1 button, 15mm diameter
Pattern Notes
In this sweater, the lace skirt is wider than the chest, to provide a gentle, feminine flare.
Due to the eight stitch repeat in the lace pattern, there is a big gap between the sizes. If you are in doubt about sizing, choose the next size up, babes will grow (they always do) and the sleeves can be rolled up.
Gauge
22 stitches and 34 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch (blocked)
24 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches in Lace Pattern (blocked)
Abbreviations
RS = Right side
WS = Wrong side
sts = Stitches
st = Stitch
k = Knit
p = Purl
pm = Place marker
m1l = With the left needle tip, lift the strand between the needles from front to back. Knit the lifted loop through the back to twist the stitch.
m1r = With the left needle tip, lift the strand between the needles from back to front. Knit the lifted loop through the front to twist the stitch.
yo = Yarn over
inc = Knit into the front and back of the stitch
Chart
The lace pattern used in this sweater is called “Fishtail Lace.” It is featured in the 365 Knitting Stitches A Year calendar on January 15th.
KNITTING INSTRUCTIONS
Yoke
Cast on 38 (38, 46) sts using the circular needle.
Set-up Row, WS
P3, pm, p4 (4, 6), pm, p24 (24, 28), pm, p4 (4, 6), pm, p3
Increase Row #1, RS: Begin raglan shaping for the sleeves and increases for the neckline.
K1, m1r, [k to 1 st before marker, yo, k2, yo], repeat from [ to ] 4 times, k until 1 st remains, m1l, k1
Purl 1 row.
There should be 48 (48, 56) sts on the needle.
Repeat the previous two rows 5 (5, 7) times more.
There should be 98 (98, 126) sts on the needle. The neckline shaping is now complete.
Increase Row #2, RS: Continue raglan shaping.
[K to 1 st before marker, yo, k2, yo], repeat from [ to ] 4 times, k to end
Purl 1 row.
There should be 106 (106, 134) sts on the needle.
Repeat the previous two rows 6 (8 ,7) times more.
There should be 154 (170, 190) stitches on the needle. The raglan shaping is now complete.
Dividing Row, RS: Set aside sleeve stitches, continue working on the body of the sweater.
[K to marker, remove marker and place next 30 (34 , 38) sts on waste yarn, remove marker, cast on 6 (8 , 10) stitches using the backwards loop method], repeat from [ to ] one more time, k to end
Purl 1 row.
There should be 106 (118, 134) sts on the needle. You are ready to start the lower body of the sweater.
Increase Row #3, RS: To accommodate the lace repeat.
6 month size ONLY
K24, inc, k56, inc, k24. There will be 108 stitches on the needle.
12 month size ONLY
k24, inc, k22, inc, k22, inc, k22, inc, k24. There will be 122 stitches on the needle.
18 month size ONLY
K45, inc, k44, inc, k45. There will be 136 stitches on the needle.
All Sizes
Purl 1 row.
Lace Skirt
Lace Set-up Row, RS: Increasing to provide a fuller skirt on the lower body of the sweater.
K2, [yo, k2, sl1, k1, psso, k2, yo, k1], Rep from [ to ] 15 (17, 19) times, k1
Purl 1 row.
There will be 123 (139, 155) stitches on the needle.
Continue with the lace pattern. Depending on your preference, you may use the written instructions below, or the chart (beginning with row 3) given in the pattern notes.
Lace Row #3, RS
K3, [yo, k1, sl1, k2tog, psso, k1, yo, k3], Rep from [ to ] 15 ( 17, 19) times
Lace Row #4, WS
Purl all stitches.
Lace Row #5, RS
K4, [yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k5], Rep from [ to ] 14 (16, 18) times, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k4
Lace Row #6, WS
Purl all stitches.
Lace Row #1, RS
K2, [yo, k2, sl1, k2tog, psso, k2, yo, k1], Rep from [ to ] 15 (17, 19) times, k1
Lace Row #2, WS
Purl all stitches.
Repeat the six rows of the lace pattern 6 (8, 9) times more. On the 6 (8, 9)th time, stop after lace row #6.
Cast off all stitches.
Sleeves
Transfer the held stitches for one sleeve to a double pointed needle.
Begin at the center of the underarm.
Pick up and knit 5 (5, 6) stitches, k30 (34, 38) held stitches, pick up and knit 5 (5 , 6) more stitches.
Place marker and join round. There will be 40 (46, 50) stitches on the needle.
Knit 2 rows.
6 month size ONLY
Start the lace pattern below with Lace Row #1.
12 month size ONLY
Lace Set-up Row: Increasing to accommodate the lace repeat.
yo, k2, sl1, k1, psso, k2, yo, k1, [yo, k2, sl1, k2tog, psso, k2, yo, k1], Repeat from [ to ] two times, yo, k2, sl1, k1, psso, k2, yo, k1, [yo, k2, sl1, k2tog, psso, k2, yo, k1], Repeat from [ to ] two times
There will be 48 stitches on the needle.
Start the lace pattern below with Lace Row #2.
18 month size ONLY
Lace Set-up Row: Increasing to accommodate the lace repeat.
[yo, k2, sl1, k1, psso, k2, yo, k1], Repeat from [ to ] 6 times, yo, k2, sl1, k2tog, psso, k2, yo, k1
There will be 56 stitches on the needle.
Start the lace pattern below with Lace Row #2.
All Sizes
Continue with the lace pattern. Depending on your preference, you may use the written instructions below, or the chart given in the pattern notes.
Lace Row #1
[yo, k2, sl1, k2tog, psso, k2, yo, k1], Repeat from [ to ] 5 (6, 7) times.
Lace Row #2
Knit all stitches.
Lace Row #3
[k1, yo, k1, sl1, k2tog, psso, k1, yo, k2], Repeat from [ to ] 5 (6, 7) times.
Lace Row #4
Knit all stitches.
Lace Row #5
[k2, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k3], Repeat from [ to ] 5 (6, 7) times.
Lace Row #6
Knit all stitches.
Repeat previous six rows 5 (6, 7) times more.
Cast off all stitches. Leave a tail of yarn about 2 yards long for crochet edging.
Repeat for the second sleeve.
Finishing
Sleeves
Using the yarn tail and your crochet hook, double crochet 1 stitch into each bound off sleeve stitch.
Body
Starting on the hem of the sweater, near the side and moving toward the front, double crochet one stitch into each bound off stitch. When you reach the corner, double crochet three stitches into a single corner stitch. Continue with the edging up the front edge of the sweater by double crocheting into two stitches, then skip one. Continue in this manner until you reach the top of the sleeve. Double crochet one stitch into each stitch across the first sleeve, the back neck, and the second sleeve.
Down the second front edge of the sweater, continue in the same manner as the first front edge. STOP just before you add the edging to the lace skirt. Chain four (to create the buttonhole) and double crochet into the next stitch. The chain will leave a small hole for a button.
Continue the edging until you reach the point where you started.
Weave in the yarn ends, block the sweater lightly, and sew on the button.
Danielle Reiner is a stay-at-home mama trying her best to live a simple, yet fulfilling, life. She fills her days with dreaming, making, writing, baking, laughing, learning, exploring, and blogging about it all at born.in.japan. When she manages to steal a few moments, she makes things to sell at her etsy shop.