It took far longer then I ever imagined to publish what in retrospect is not a very complex pattern. It is knit with more negative ease then traditional knit sweaters, and so that took some working on. This pattern actually cost me the most and took me the longest to complete of any pattern I’ve done to date, Â there was a lot of work involved. I could not be more pleased though, with the end result.
I knit the sample up in Wollmeise which has to be the silkiest super-wash wool in existence. I was lucky to score some un-dyed skeins from the Wollmeise website. If you would like to try out this wonderful yarn you can either wait for an upload, or you can buy/trade on Ravelry, which is were I have my best luck. She now has a shop in Germany and if I ever travel to that country you can be sure I will stop by the shop! Wollmeise is a very popular but hard to get yarn because 1 women dyes it all herself. It is an amazing yarn, not only in quality but also in color. The edging was crocheted in scraps of “Frosh Harmonic” a beautiful earth green with a hand-dyed, semi-solid quality to it.
(12 pound baby in 3 month size)
Newborns are soft and delicate, and are best suited to a knit item of similar qualities. Fingering weight wool is perfect in this regard, it breaths and baby won’t overheat, but also won’t be cold. Wool is a fantastic fiber, and this knit has one of my favorite features, it allows you to use your stashed up sock yarn! Select a super-wash so mom can have an easy time washing this sweet little top. The pattern also features little fold-over cuffs to cover the newborns hands, just like the little tops the hospitals dress them in.
I tried all sorts of closures on it, what worked in the end was so simple. 1 tiny hidden button behind the crochet scallop in the top front corner, and it slips right into the fabric, no need for even a button hole, it was very secure and easy to get in and out of the fabric, but stayed once I put it there, this means as baby grows the button hole “moves” with babies growing tummy!
I was a bit over-zealous in my yarn requirements to insure no one runs out, but I believe you could easily get 2, 3 month sizes out of 1 skien of Wollmeise, even if you wanted to use the same yarn for the edging to save money, but you can use scraps of any similar weight/textured yarn.
Alternate Yarn:
I suggest you pick a “sock yarn†as those are often super-wash, and you will want something that feels a bit silky to the touch. Some suggestions;
Dream in Color Smooshy
Madelinetosh – Tosh Sock
SweetGeorgia Yarns – Superwash Sock
Socks that Rock – Mediumweight
KnitPicks – Bare Superwash Merino Fingering
(7 pound baby in 3 month size)
Sizes
Newborn [3 months, 6 months, 9 months]
Size Shown: 3 months
Finished Measurements
Chest: 13.5 [14.5, 15.5, 16.5] inches
Length from shoulder to bottom: 8 [8.75, 9.25, 9.75] inches
Gauge
28 stitches/40 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Pattern is knit from the top down, raglan style with scalloped
crochet edging and fold-over cuffs. Pattern is intended to fit snugly.
Materials
Fingering Weight Yarn, 300 [325, 350, 400] yards of MC and
approximately 20 yards of CC
Note: Model worked in Wollmeise Sockenwolle 100%, natural
(MC) and Frosh Harmonic (CC)
1 24 inch US#2.5/3mm circular needle
[always use the needle size that gives you the gauge listed]
DPNs for sleeves [set of 5]
1 US#E/3.5mm, D/3.25mm or C/2.75mm crochet hook
3/8 inch/9mm button – 1
A friend is going to have a Summer baby, so I was thinking of an organic cotton. And a simple crocheted edging because it will be a boy.
that looks so cute my friend Kathi would love that.
The sweater looks beautiful. I love the contrast of texture and color betwen the edging and the main part of the sweater. It looks that it woul be very easy to put on a baby as well.
Darling! What amazing color choices!
Lovely and I do so like milky white on tiny babies
That is the cutest sweater! We are hoping to TTC for a winter baby..hmm might need this 🙂